There are several things you can do to ensure you make the best choice, whether you’re looking for your first job or want to change careers. Discover your personal strengths, values, interests, and goals first. Next, research the job you’ve chosen to determine if it’s the perfect one for you. Find out as much as you can about what the position actually entails.
Last but not least, get professional help. You may be unaware of other options or funding options that are available to you. Additionally, having a third party that is objective can serve as a sounding board to ensure that you are doing the right thing.
Career check list
It’s a major step to decide your career. Like with any major decision, it helps to be sure you’ve considered every possibility, so you know exactly what to expect. You may need to consider updating your skills and qualifications while choosing a career, in addition to factors like location, income, and the employment market.
Before implementing your plan, there are a few things you should think about after you’ve narrowed down your list of potential occupations.
Location
You must think about location if you are unable to relocate. While you can probably find work in most towns in your proposed career, there are likely to be more opportunities in Auckland, Wellington and other major cities.
Salary
In most professions, there will be prospects for advancement; however, this does not always entail significantly higher salary. You might have to decide between doing what you love and pursuing something less fulfilling but with better pay.
Commitment to Time
Starting a new career can take up a lot of your free time because you may need to put in long hours at work or volunteer work or take courses. Consider how this will impact others, such as your family or anyone else you share a home with. Make sure you discuss it with your family members; if they are aware of how much time you require, they will be able to help you more. You can think about taking a part-time or flexible course if taking a full-time course isn’t feasible given your schedule.
The Job Market
Most professions are competitive, but some are more so than others. It can be challenging to break into some careers without a lot of unpaid job experience, enthusiasm, and a little bit of luck. Are you willing to put in the extra work if a profession like this appeals to you?
Career Advancement
What chances do the occupations you’re considering offer for advancement? How would you advance, either within the same industry or in a comparable one, once you’re in? What kind of training will probably be provided?
Working Circumstances
What would doing the job entail on a daily basis? If it requires a lot of social interaction and that’s not your thing, you might want to reconsider. Would working outside in the dead of winter bother you more than working inside?
You’re situation
Your employment alternatives need not be constrained by your circumstances. If you’re a single parent or have a disability, for instance, there might be further support available. A part-time course can be the right choice for you if you want to learn new skills but are also committed to your job or your family.
What qualities do you look for in a job?
Making a list after thinking about the aforementioned elements may help you concentrate. List the things that are absolutely necessary and the things that would be good to have. An illustration might be as follows:
Essential:
Includes interacting with others
Close to your existing residence
Having a first-year income of at least $45,000
Nice to have:
In the public or nonprofit sectors
Chances to travel internationally
Connected to a subject you like studying
What’s important to you in a job?
By looking through job profiles you should get a good idea of the qualifications that you will need
Higher education or adult learning can be excellent ways to create new employment prospects. Never forget that it is never too late to start learning again.
Investigate different options for achieving the same goal
Are there numerous paths to take once you’ve decided on the vocation you wish to pursue? You’ll require a certain qualification for various employment. Others may value experience more highly. Sometimes you can take both classroom-based and work-based courses to prepare for the same career. You might opt to enroll in a full-time program or study part-time so that you can keep working, for instance. Choose the path that best suits you.
Have a backup Plan
Having a backup plan can be beneficial if you’re seeking to break into a competitive field of work. Your strategy can include ideas for different positions in the same industry or in different industries that require the same set of abilities. If you’re focused on a certain career but run into a roadblock, you may also need to think about switching your training / study or starting at a lesser position and working your way up. If your first employment choice doesn’t work out at least you’ll have some ideas for what to do going forward.