Choosing a Job that Best Fits You: 5 Questions to Ask Yourself When Picking a Career

Choosing a career is not an easy process so asking yourself these 5 questions will bring help clarity to a tricky decision.

Deciding on a profession is not a simple task and adequate time should be set aside to research all your possible options. However, besides research there are questions you can ask yourself to help narrow down potential career options. Asking yourself the questions listed below will bring clarity to what type of work best suits you and what exactly you are looking for. 

 

1. What are My Strengths? 

Everyone has something that they are particularly good at and makes them stand out. Find what you are good at and play to your strengths. Some might find it hard to acknowledge what makes them stand out so take some time to sit down and make a list of certain projects you have thrived at, if you are good with people, what makes you different from others, etc.  

2. What is my Personality?  

Personality has to do with qualities and characteristics that make you you. So just like your strengths recognize what type of work environment best fits you. Acknowledge if you are a leader or a follower, if you work best in teams or individually, do you enjoy helping others, etc. After doing research based on your strengths continue to look more in depth about how companies run to see what type of work environment you will thrive in. Figuring out a company’s culture will also help you match your personality effectively with a company. 

3. What Education/training do I need? 

Certain careers require advanced education or training to be done before applying. Research again needs to be done so you are aware of exactly what is needed for this career. Figure out if this is a job you can start while continuing your education and see if that is something that interests you. Again, this will all be figured out through research and more often than not more schooling can increase the pay for the job. 

4. What does the Salary look like?  

Although salary should not be the main determinant of a career it has to be considered as it has a major effect on your quality of life. Also, recognizing where this type of work is most present should be researched as again this will have a major impact on your life and how you live it. The highest paying job should not be the one that grabs your attention strictly for that reason. Find a career you enjoy with a salary that will suit the type of lifestyle you are longing for.  

5. Why do I want this Career?

Picking a career is not an easy task but at the end of the day this should be only YOUR decision. Do not let other opinions or what others think affect what you want to do with your life. By now you have done extensive research and are aware of your interests and strengths. No one knows you better than yourself so trust your judgement! 

 

All these questions are  just you conducting a self-assessment about your skills, ambitions and strengths to see which career best suits you. Being honest with yourself and not letting any outside opinions affect your choice is how you will find success in your career search.