Your Career Research Checklist

By: Tony Jacowski

The answer is career research, and you should always begin with yourself. Take assessment tests that are available online to know your strengths and weaknesses.

Speak with career counselors who can help you find a suitable career path for yourself.



Set Career and Job Goals



What are your goals and aspirations? What are your interests, your likes and dislikes? Where do you want to see yourself maybe five years from now? You need to determine what you want from your job and your career.



Are you looking to be financially independent, to become famous, or to bring about changes in your life? Your motives must be clear, especially with regard to what drives your sense of success and happiness.



Research the Industry



Find out all you can about the industry you have chosen: the future of the industry, the latest trends and career options.



You can find this information on the Internet, by reading industrial publications, by attending job and career fairs, and through your mentors.



Review Career and Job Trends



Obtaining information about the latest career trends is vital for the success of your long-term career planning.



It is important to determine areas where job growth is the greatest, especially in areas that interest you most.



Network



Networking can be beneficial. You can learn about new job openings and careers through your contacts, for example. You may even discover a fulfilling career that you might never have considered otherwise.



Volunteer



Volunteering can give you insight into yourself and guide you in your search for a career. Many find immense satisfaction in helping people.



Besides, volunteering can bring you to the attention of employers who may see some potential in you and offer you a lucrative career.



Read Industry-Specific Career Books



This should be high on your priority list. Seek out the best books that are industry-specific and are geared toward your career goals.



Go Online For Help



Make use of the web to research your choice of career. Find out all resources that are available on various websites.



Download and read trade journals about your career path. They may also contain the latest employment opportunities.



Participate In Job-Shadowing Opportunities



If you have a friend who is employed in a career you are interested in, it is a good idea to learn as much about it as you can from them. You may even choose to go to work with them for a day. This will enable you to experience the job firsthand and gain information about the work itself, including working conditions.



Be sure to get permission from the company to avoid embarrassing yourself and your friend.



Your career is an important part of your life. Take time to fully understand the path you want to take. Making the wrong decision will only make you miserable and hamper your productivity. If you love the job you are in, you will have a much better chance of being happy and fulfilled.

About the Author

Tony Jacowski is a quality analyst for The MBA Journal. Aveta Solution's Six Sigma Online offers online six sigma training and certification classes for six sigma professionals including, lean six sigma, black belts, green belts, and yellow belts.

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