7 Steps to a New Career

Posted: Apr 23, 2007 | Comments: 0 | Views: 57 | Bookmark and Share

If your job is leaving you feeling bored, frustrated, uninspired, or burned out, you’re probably wondering what else is out there. Where can you find a career that makes you excited to get to work each day? Does your dream job really exist? It may seem overwhelming to try to find that perfect career, especially if you’re feeling stuck in your current one, but if you start small and do some hard thinking, you’ll find that a satisfying career is not so far out of reach.

1. Start positive. If you’re dissatisfied with your current job, it may be hard to identify the elements you like about it. Most people, though, enjoy at least a few aspects of even the dreariest job. You may hate your boss but love your colleagues. Or maybe you believe in the cause you’re working for, despite the dismal pay. Make a list of the things you like about your current job—these are your first clues about what to look for in a new one.

2. Think big. Now’s the time to make a wish list. What characteristics would make a job perfect for you? Would it be flexible hours, a cooperative team, more responsibility? Maybe you’d like a chance to work in a creative or artistic setting, or the opportunity to show your leadership potential. Don’t worry about whether these things are realistic or whether there’s a job out there that fits the bill (not just yet!). Make a list of all the factors that you’re looking for in a dream career.

3. Brainstorm. Compile a list of every job, no matter how farfetched, that you’ve ever thought you might like or be good at. Don’t censor yourself; once you’ve got a good list going, you’ll start to see patterns. Look for common factors in the jobs you’ve listed. Maybe your fantasy careers are all active, fast-paced physical jobs (like firefighter, forest ranger, and FBI agent), or they might involve caring for and helping others (nurse, teacher, counselor).

4. Test yourself. There are dozens of career tests on the market designed to help you discover your ideal career. While these tests range in quality, from novelty tests on free sites to scientifically validated tests provided only by psychologists, there are many excellent resources online. Look for a website that provides well-researched career assessments such as the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator or the Strong Interest Inventory, which will provide you with comprehensive information on appropriate careers for your personality type and interests.

5. Do some research. The Bureau of Labor Statistics provides a great resource for career searchers. Visit their website at bls.gov and click on the Occupational Outlook Handbook to view salary ranges, educational requirements, job descriptions, and growth projections for hundreds of careers.

6. Check with an expert. A career coach can help you further identify the elements of a career that will bring you lasting satisfaction. A knowledgeable coach can also suggest careers similar to ones you’ve come up with yourself, and help you decide which careers best fit your goals.

7. Start where you are. If it’s not practical for you to completely retrain for a new career right now, think again about what’s missing from your current job. Is there a different position within your current company that provides more of what you need? Could you keep your job title, but find a new company with a better work environment? You might even ask your boss about making changes in your regular responsibilities that would allow you to do more of what you enjoy. Changing careers is a major goal, and if you can start by taking gradual steps towards doing what you really want, you’ll find that your efforts pay off quickly in greater satisfaction with your work.

(ArticlesBase SC #136215)

Rate this Article
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 0 vote(s)
    Feedback
    RSS
    Print
    Email
    Re-Publish

    Source:  http://www.articlesbase.com/careers-articles/7-steps-to-a-new-career-136215.html

    Article Tags:

    job search

    ,

    new career

    ,

    jobs

    ,

    careers

    ,

    career transition

    ,

    finding the right job

    ,

    Dream Jobs

    ,

    Changing Careers

    ,

    Job Transition

    Resume Writing for New Graduates

    This video will discuss if you have little or no experience in a job when writing a resume. (01:50)

    HR Experts Advice to Job Seekers

    Learn how to Identify your skills, interests and abilities. Perhaps this will enable you to find a new career or direction. (03:13)

    How to Answer Questions at a Job Interview

    Dan and Nathan teach you how to prepare for a structured job interview, and how to answer questions in order to survive the interview and score a new job. (03:26)

    Job Hunting: How to Be a Buyer

    Life coach and corporate consultant Bob Wright explains what you should look for when hunting for a new job, and how to be a buyer and not a seller in today's market. (01:44)

    Great Careers: Research Librarian

    It's a great job if you continually like to learn about new things. (01:02)

    Ruth Klein

    In today's employment market, changing careers is commonplace. Using these smart skills to do it could make you your new boss.

    By: Ruth Klein l Business l Feb 04, 2008 l Views: 85
    Donna Deming

    n midlife you may begin to feel bored with your job and start to think about making a career change. You may also notice yourself feeling irritable, frustrated and even depressed in your current job. These negative feelings may be a result of thinking about what you have given up by pursuing your current career. You may start remembering the dreams you have left behind.

    By: Donna Deming l Careers > Career Management l Oct 17, 2008 l Views: 316

    Changing jobs or career needs careful consideration. Here are a number a essential factors that need to be considered to help you make the right choice.

    By: James Utterson l Careers l Nov 20, 2007 l Views: 297

    A career change is not just a simple matter of applying for another job. Career planning requires careful consideration of some vital factors which this article will reveal

    By: James Utterson l Careers l Nov 21, 2007 l Views: 43

    This article considers what considerations should be made when planning a career move

    By: James Utterson l Careers l Nov 27, 2007 l Views: 74

    In this rapidly changing economy almost all Americans (and a good part of the globe) are experiencing career changes of some sort. The Bureau of Labor Statistics has given up attempting to estimate the number of times people change careers, since it is almost impossible to quantify.

    By: Sean Patrick l Business l May 23, 2009 l Views: 264
    Abhishek Agarwal

    This article will give you an idea on what is a career transition center. it will give you a guide on the advantages of being in a career transition center.

    By: Abhishek Agarwal l Careers l Dec 30, 2008 l Views: 16

    What are you doing this summer? Probably getting a job. Will it be just a job or something amazing? Well maybe this is the year to be a Summer Camp Counselor. What you want to get from a summer camp job? Education majors this it is a chance to work with...

    By: Jeff Lorenz l Careers l Feb 09, 2010 l Views: 1

    The Dubai job market was really shaken by the downturn of the property sector and the Dubai World debt repayment issue in recent times. Even today it appears that the economy has not really recovered from these setbacks.

    By: Sim Whatley l Careers l Feb 09, 2010 l Views: 4

    Customer service is more than a pretty garnish to a dining experience; it is the fodder of a successful business.

    By: Harvey McEwan l Careers l Feb 09, 2010 l Views: 2

    How often do we hear people that've careers complain about never doing the occupation theyre trained to do? They didn't realize when they entered into their chosen field that there will be various aspects to the job. The same premise applies with the computer game artist. Before genuinely researching the subject...

    By: Cody Landon l Careers l Feb 09, 2010 l Views: 3

    When pursuing a career in law enforcement many individuals find it difficult to become a police offer. It is met with many phases of obstacles that are designed to weed out the poor candidates and elevate the best individuals to fill the role of the law enforcement agent.

    By: Nick Andrews l Careers l Feb 09, 2010 l Views: 2

    When an individual has a desire to become a police officer there are many opportunities that become available to them. Although these opportunities are plentiful in options there are many obstacles that an individual needs to overcome to become a police officer.

    By: Nick Andrews l Careers l Feb 09, 2010 l Views: 1

    Many citizens would like to help their community in some facet. Many of these citizens only have a desire to help on occasion allowing them to take opportunities involving community volunteer work to receive that personal satisfaction that all crave.

    By: Nick Andrews l Careers l Feb 09, 2010 l Views: 2

    Many individuals are aware of the police and the services those men and women provide to protect the citizens of their community. What many individuals are unaware of are the many steps that are taken in order for an individual to pass police recruitment and obtain the opportunity to become a police officer.

    By: Nick Andrews l Careers l Feb 09, 2010 l Views: 1

    Why do some customers love your sales approach, while others run away? Using the secrets of Myers Briggs personality type, you can discover how your customers want to be sold, and develop your ability to sell to anyone.

    By: Molly Owens l Business > Sales l Aug 19, 2008 l Views: 362

    Do you make decent money, get your work done, and feel at a loss to pinpoint anything really wrong with your job—but still dread going to work each day? If it’s not as simple as a tyrant boss, meager wages, or long days in the salt mine, how can you explain your stress and frustration with your job? Simple. Your job may just be a terrible misfit for your personality type. Doing work that runs contrary to your basic personality preferences can cause stress, dissatisfaction, and burnout.

    By: Molly Owens l Careers > Career Management l Feb 16, 2008 l Views: 1,147

    How can you advise your teenagers about careers when the options are so overwhelming? The newest career tests provide an accurate and convenient solution for parents and teens who want answers. Learn how testing your child's personality and interests can help you choose a career path that will bring them satisfaction and success.

    By: Molly Owens l Home and Family > Teenagers l Nov 26, 2007 l Views: 5,510

    Do opposites really attract? More importantly, can they stay together? Learn how your Myers Briggs personality type determines your compatibility with your partner.

    By: Molly Owens l Relationships l Nov 20, 2007 l Views: 20,713 l Comments: 1

    Is your dream job within your reach? Learn how you can start today with simple steps to get you closer to a great career that will excite and satisfy you.

    By: Molly Owens l Careers l Apr 23, 2007 l Views: 57

    Can you improve productivity, facilitate effective communication, and create a team that works like a well-oiled machine? You can if you learn how to recognize the resources that are already present in your organization. If you work in a large department, you almost certainly already have: - A talented project manager -...

    By: Molly Owens l Business > Management l Jan 24, 2007 l Views: 443

    Do you know the number one factor couples cite as crucial to their satisfaction with their relationship? That's right, it's good communication.

    By: Molly Owens l Advertising l Aug 10, 2006 l Views: 336

    Add new Comment

     
    * Required fields
    Author Box
    Articles Categories
    All Categories
    1