Working out how to choose a career is one of the most important life processes you’ll ever go through. It impacts your happiness, income, and long-term success. But figuring out how to pick a career can feel overwhelming, especially when there are so many options out there. Where do you start? How do you know which career is right for you?
In this guide, we’ll break down the steps to help you pick a career path that fits your personality, skills, and goals. Whether you’re just starting out on the career track or considering a career change, approaching how to pick a career step-by-step will make the process easier.
Why Is Picking the Right Career So Important?
The right career can provide more than just financial stability—it can also bring a sense of purpose, personal fulfillment, and work-life balance. On the other hand, choosing the wrong career may lead to job dissatisfaction, burnout, or even the need for a career change down the road.
For some, an ideal career may involve climbing the corporate ladder, while others might value creativity, flexibility, or making a positive impact on society. The key is to find a career that not only supports your lifestyle but also aligns with your values and goals.
Pro Tip: Choosing the right career doesn’t mean committing to one path for life. Your career can evolve over time as you gain experience, discover new passions, or as the job market changes. Be open to change.
How to Pick the Right Career in 7 Easy Steps
1. Reflect on Your Interests and Values
Choosing the right career path starts by thinking about what you enjoy doing. Do you like working with your hands, solving complex problems, or helping others? Your interests can guide you toward careers where you’ll feel engaged and excited. It’s equally important to consider your values. For instance, do you value job stability, creativity, or work-life balance?
Ask yourself:
- What tasks make me excited and engaged?
- Do I prefer working in teams or alone?
- What values do I want in a career (e.g., stability, creativity, helping others)?
2. Consider Your Skills
What are you naturally good at? Identifying your hard skills (such as writing, coding, or graphic design) and soft skills (like teamwork, communication, and leadership) is crucial. Think about tasks you’ve excelled at in school, past jobs, or hobbies. These strengths can help point you to pick a career where you’ll not only succeed but also enjoy your work.
Pro Tip: Don’t underestimate your transferable skills. For example, if you’re good at organizing events, you may excel in project management or operations.
Actionable Step: Make a list of your top five skills and think about how they could apply to different careers.
3. Think About Your Past Jobs or Experiences
Reflecting on your past jobs or internships can give you valuable insights into what you want (or don’t want) in a future career. Think about the tasks or responsibilities you enjoyed the most and which ones you found frustrating or uninteresting. Were you more productive and engaged in fast-paced environments like retail or hospitality, or did you prefer working in quieter, more structured settings like an office or library?
Also, consider the skills you developed in those roles. Did you excel at teamwork, customer service, problem-solving, or working independently? These preferences and strengths can help you identify career paths where you’re more likely to thrive. Understanding what motivates you at work can also help you find a career that brings long-term satisfaction.
Actionable Step: Make a list of your previous jobs or internships and write down specific tasks or responsibilities you enjoyed and excelled at. Use this information to look for careers that incorporate those elements.
4. Research Growing Industries
Look into industries that are growing and have good job prospects. Use resources like the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics to find data on job growth, salary ranges and careers prospects for different fields when figuring out how to choose a career.
Examples:
- Healthcare, social services, technology, and renewable energy are rapidly growing industries with great long-term prospects.
- The need for educators – teachers, online instructors, and educational technologists – is growing, especially in STEM fields and remote learning environments.
Actionable Step: Make a shortlist of 5-10 careers that interest you and dive deeper into each one, focusing on job responsibilities, salary, long-term opportunities, and career paths.
5. Talk to People in Different Careers – Network and Seek Advice
Networking is key to gaining insights when you’re learning how to pick a career that aligns with your aspirations. One of the best ways to learn about a career is by talking to people who work in that field. Ask them questions about their job, how they got started, and what they like or dislike about their work. You can connect with professionals through LinkedIn, informational interviews, or networking events.
Actionable Step: Reach out to 2-3 professionals in fields that interest you. Ask about their career journey, the pros and cons of the job, and any advice they have for someone starting out.
6. Consider Your Personality and Preferred Work Environment
Your personality plays a big role in job satisfaction. Are you an introvert who prefers independent work, or an extrovert who thrives around people in a team setting? Do you prefer structured environments or flexible ones? Tools like the 16 Personalities Test based on the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator or our career quiz can help you understand what type of job might suit your personality.
Examples:
- Introverts may excel in roles like graphic design, technical writing, or research.
- Extroverts may thrive in sales, public relations, or project management roles.
7. Gain Real-World Experience
The best way to know if a career is right for you is to try it. Look for internships, volunteer opportunities, or part-time jobs in the fields that interest you. These experiences will give you a real taste of what working in that field is like and help you make a more informed decision, plus help you build relevant skills, expand your network, and clarify your career preferences.
Actionable Step: Apply for internships or entry-level positions in industries that interest you. Use these opportunities to test different roles and see what feels like the best fit.
How to Narrow Your List of Career Options and Pick the Right Career Path
It can be hard to narrow down your choices when there are so many possibilities. Here are some quick tips to help you focus:
Match your career options to your goals: If you want a flexible schedule, look for careers with good work-life balance, like retail or technology. If you value stability, focus on jobs in industries like healthcare or finance.
Use salary as a tiebreaker: While salary shouldn’t be the only factor, it can help you decide between similar career options.
Common Mistakes When Choosing a Career
Avoid these common mistakes when picking a career:
1. Letting Others Decide For You
While it’s natural to seek advice from family, friends, and mentors, your career path should be driven by your own career goals and passions, not the expectations of others. It’s important to take control of your own path and ensure that it leads to a future that excites and fulfills you.
2. Prioritizing Salary Over Passion
While a high salary can be enticing, choosing a career based solely on salary can lead to burnout and dissatisfaction. Over time, earning more may not compensate you enough for a job that you don’t enjoy. Instead, aim for a balance between financial stability and something that aligns with your interests and values. A career that combines both can lead to long-term happiness and sustainable success.
3. Assume Your Career Path is a Straight Line
Many people believe that their career path will follow a direct line – starting with an entry-level job and steadily climbing the ranks in a single industry. Not only do industries evolve, but so do your interests and strengths. Be open to new opportunities or career changes, sometimes the winding path – taking on various roles across different industries and careers – helps you build a richer set of experiences and skills that can take you somewhere unexpected. Your first job likely will not be your last, plus there can be many roads to the same destination!
4. Ignore Work-Life Balance
Don’t overlook the importance of work-life balance when picking a career. Some high-paying jobs come with long hours and high stress, which might not align with your personal goals. When choosing a career path, it’s important to think about how your job will fit into your overall lifestyle.
After following these steps, you should have a clearer picture of how to choose a career. Narrow down your options based on what aligns best with your skills, interests, and long-term goals so you can pick a career that makes you happy and fulfilled. Remember, your first career choice doesn’t have to be your final one. Careers evolve, and it’s okay to pivot or change directions as you gain experience.
Ready to take the next step in your career journey? Explore our career resources to find the best career path for you – especially if you need to write your first resume – and sign up for our newsletter to stay updated on the latest career advice and opportunities.
