How To Know Which Career Path Is Right For You

By Selipha Kihagi

Graduating and getting your degree is one thing and actually starting off on the right career path is another thing altogether. Whether you graduated with a first class honors, pass or credit will not really matter if you do not have your act together and know for sure what path is best for you. Most of us don’t have it all figured out, we learn along the way and discover which path works best through exploration.

Among all ways of trying to discover the right career path, exploration is one of the most risky. You make mistakes along the way, get frustrated and most times you will always rub shoulders with your co-workers and boss. It is an effective way, but one bound with barriers and numerous apologies that you would rather avoid all the same.

So, how do you know what career path is right without rubbing people the wrong way?

4 Ways To Know Which Career Path Fits You Best

1. Consider taking a personality test
Yes, your personality is the first determinant in getting to know what career is best suited for you. This is because when you match your personality to the job, you will not have a reason to clash with your boss or co-worker in the near future. For instance, let’s say you happen to be an honest person but the department you get hired in requires you to tell a few lies as a way of convincing the client or customer. What do you do then? Do you stand by your personal values or do you tell the lie because your job depended on it?

The two ways are acceptable, but they both have consequences, all you have to do is decide which consequence you can stomach. This then brings us back to knowing who you are as an individual and a personality test will help you figure that out. And you need not worry about how much this will cost, there are numerous free versions online. They will even give you suggestions on careers to take up and you get to decide.

2. Answer the question: What is your ideal work day?
If somebody stopped you to ask what you think is the ideal work day, what would you say it is? Think about it, from morning to evening what chores or tasks would you like to work on and why? How about the environment, are you an office person or is the outdoors, constantly interacting with people, your kind of thing?

Knowing your typical and ideal work day would give you a perspective of the kind of careers to take up. If you are a fresh graduate, this should not be as hard for you as you are still in the learning stage but for those already working; you have a feel of what you like and what you don’t. Is it having flexible hours, or is it engaging with customers? Take your pick.

3. Do you have a friend you would consider trading jobs with?
We all have that one person you would consider switching jobs with, if you don’t have this person then it means you are already in your perfect job. This happens when our jobs are not where we really want to be but most times we really do not have that choice. Others would argue that you do have a choice and getting a good job is one of those choices, but since the job you have keeps you in your small or big house and pays for your weekend getaways, it becomes easier to stay.

But if you are looking for the right career and happiness, take a moment and think about the people you believe have good jobs. Do your research, and consider if that’s where you would rather be.

4. Write down your passion, skill set and personality, then marry the three
Having something you are passionate about is a good thing, but it is not always lucrative. You will need to also think about what works in the job market and this is where your current skill set either from your schooling, internships or daily tasks comes to play.

Then there is your personality, one you should have identified in number one above. Consider some of these things: What jobs can your passion get you? When is your energy the highest? Are you happy interacting with people or alone? Do you liven up when doing what you want or following set instructions?

Once you’ve written down what you are passionate about, your skills and your personality, then you can find a balance and get your career going.

No one wakes up and figures out what career they were meant for, unless you are lucky and this hardly ever happens. If you feel confused about your career path, try out these 4 things and see what happens. Then if you are still unsure, talk to a career coach or mentor.

Got a career query you would like assistance with? Remember to leave a comment below.

Get New Jobs Daily. Be The First To Know. Click Here

6 Comments

  1. Haloo carol,
    i have done higher diploma in total quality management and katc but i landed a job as an assistant accountant so far i have acquired accounting skills but i feel i growing because i don’t use the management knowledge….i would like to change please advice me on the way forward because i also feel an urge to further my studies please advice me on what do please

  2. Hello Eunice,

    To grow in your accounting profession it is important to pursue your professional qualifications (CPA). The course in accounting will add value to your 4 years proven experience in finance/accounting.
    A career in procurement is not bad , however, employers recruit ideally based on experience and to prove that will be a challenge.
    It is important to have consistency in your line of work.

  3. its a good advice you ha e given here …but assuming you have been doing something entirely different in order for you to support your education…and that is all the experience that you have so far,what will you do if whatever your passionate job or dream career is,your prospespective employers still insist on a five year experience related to the passionate job?
    Better still,assuming you haven’t landed the job you really wanted and you feel you can continue with your education and hope for a brighter future,will you go on and take on a masters degree on whatever careet you are dreaming about or rather slightly divert it to whatever career you’ve been engaged in all the time while supporting your education?

  4. Dear Selipha,
    Thanks for your insightful advice.Always appreciated.
    I would like your advice as a career coach.I am a Bcom finance graduate with a diploma in purchasing and supplies.
    I have been working in the hospitality industry in the finance dept.since 2012.
    My challenge is that i do not feel like theres room for growth in my current position and my dilema is whether i should pursue a CPA course as i look for another job where there’s room for growth both careerwise and in salary or should i consider changing career to purchasing which i havent been exposed to much.
    I have a young family and i do not want to make a decision that will make life difficult for us.
    Please advise….trobled lady.

Comments are closed.