Find Your Bearings: A Guide to Career Satisfaction and Success
Introduction
In today's rapidly evolving job market, it's more important than ever to find your bearings. This means understanding your strengths, weaknesses, interests, and values, and using this knowledge to make informed career decisions. By finding your bearings, you can increase your job satisfaction, productivity, and long-term career success.
Effective Strategies, Tips and Tricks
1. Take a career assessment.
A career assessment can help you identify your strengths, weaknesses, interests, and values. This information can be used to develop a career plan that is tailored to your individual needs and goals.
| Assessment |
Provider |
Cost |
Time |
Results |
| CareerBuilder Career Assessment |
CareerBuilder |
Free |
30 minutes |
Detailed report on your strengths, weaknesses, interests, and values |
| Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) |
The Myers-Briggs Company |
$49.95 |
30 minutes |
Personality type assessment that can help you understand your strengths, weaknesses, and communication style |
| Strong Interest Inventory (SII) |
Pearson |
$129.95 |
60 minutes |
Assessment that measures your interests and helps you identify potential career paths |
2. Research different careers.
Once you have a better understanding of your strengths, weaknesses, interests, and values, you can start researching different careers. This will help you narrow down your options and identify careers that are a good fit for you.
| Resource |
Description |
Cost |
Time |
Results |
| Occupational Outlook Handbook (OOH) |
A comprehensive database of career information from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
Free |
Varies |
Detailed information on hundreds of different careers, including job duties, education requirements, salary expectations, and job outlook |
| CareerOneStop |
A website from the U.S. Department of Labor that provides information on careers, training, and job search |
Free |
Varies |
Access to a variety of career resources, including career planning tools, job search tips, and training programs |
| LinkedIn |
A social media platform for professionals that can be used to research careers, connect with potential employers, and find job openings |
Free |
Varies |
Access to a vast network of professionals, job listings, and career advice |
3. Network with people in your field.
Networking is a great way to learn about different careers and to get your foot in the door at potential employers. Attend industry events, join professional organizations, and reach out to people in your field for informational interviews.
| Networking |
Benefits |
Tips |
Resources |
| Attend industry events |
Learn about different careers, meet potential employers, and get your foot in the door |
Dress professionally, be prepared to talk about your skills and experience, and follow up with people you meet |
Industry conferences, trade shows, and career fairs |
| Join professional organizations |
Connect with other professionals in your field, learn about new trends, and get involved in industry activities |
Join industry associations, attend meetings, and volunteer for committees |
Professional associations, LinkedIn groups, and Meetup groups |
| Reach out to people in your field for informational interviews |
Get firsthand information about different careers, learn about the job market, and build your network |
Prepare a list of questions, be respectful of people's time, and follow up with a thank-you note |
LinkedIn, email, and phone calls |
4. Get experience.
Experience is one of the most important things you can do to prepare for your career. Internships, volunteer work, and part-time jobs can all help you gain valuable skills and experience.
| Experience |
Benefits |
Tips |
Resources |
| Internships |
Gain hands-on experience in a professional setting, learn about different careers, and build your network |
Apply for internships early, prepare for interviews, and make the most of your experience |
Internships.com, CareerBuilder, and LinkedIn |
| Volunteer work |
Give back to your community while gaining valuable skills and experience |
Identify organizations that align with your interests, volunteer for roles that match your skills, and network with other volunteers |
VolunteerMatch, United Way, and Idealist |
| Part-time jobs |
Earn money while gaining valuable work experience, developing transferable skills, and building your resume |
Look for part-time jobs in fields that interest you, be reliable and hardworking, and use your experience as a stepping stone to your future career |
Indeed, Monster, and Glassdoor |
5. Don't be afraid to change course.
Your career is a journey, not a destination. It's okay if you don't know exactly what you want to do right away. Be open to exploring different career paths and making changes along the way.
| Changing Course |
Benefits |
Tips |
Resources |
| Explore different career paths |
Attend career fairs, talk to people in different fields, and take online career assessments |
Be open to new experiences, don't be afraid to step outside of your comfort zone, and network with people who can help you learn about different careers |
Career counselors, mentors, and online career resources |
| Make changes along the way |
Don't be afraid to take risks, change your mind, or start over |
Be flexible, adaptable, and resilient |
Career counselors, mentors, and online career resources |
Common Mistakes to Avoid
1. Not taking the time to find your bearings**.
Many people rush into a career without taking the time to understand their strengths, weaknesses, interests, and values. This can lead to them making poor career choices that they later regret.
2. Not being realistic about your skills and experience.
It's important to be realistic about your skills and experience when you're finding your bearings. Don't overestimate your abilities or underestimate your potential.
3. Not being open to change.
The job market is constantly changing, so it's important to be open to change. Don't be afraid to explore different career paths or to make changes along the way.
Basic Concepts of find your bearings
Finding your bearings is a process of self-discovery. It involves understanding your strengths, weaknesses, interests, and values. Once you have a good understanding of yourself, you can start to find your bearings and make informed career decisions.
Getting Started with find your bearings
The first step in finding your bearings is to take a career assessment. This will help you identify your strengths, weaknesses, interests, and values. Once you have this information, you can start to research different careers. Talk to people in your field, attend industry events, and volunteer your time. This will help you gain valuable experience and learn more about different career paths.
Analyze what users care about
When you're finding your bearings, it's important to analyze what users care about. What are their needs and interests? What are their pain points? Once you understand what users care about, you can start to develop a career plan that meets their needs.
Success Stories
1. Sarah
Sarah was a college student who was unsure of what she wanted to do with her life. She took a career assessment and discovered that she was interested in helping others. She volunteered at a local homeless shelter and found that she loved working with people. After graduating, she got a job as a social worker. She is now a successful social worker and loves her job.
2. John
John was a software engineer who was unhappy with his job. He felt like he was in a dead-end job and that he wasn't using his full potential. He decided to take a career assessment and discovered that he was interested in business. He quit his job and went back to school to get an MBA. After graduating, he got a job as a business analyst. He is now a successful business analyst and loves his job.
3. Mary
Mary was a stay-at-home mom who wanted to return to the workforce. She wasn't sure what kind of job she wanted, but she knew that she wanted to work in a field that was interesting and challenging. She took a career assessment and discovered that she was interested in healthcare. She volunteered at a local hospital and found that she loved working with patients. She decided to go back to school to become a nurse. She is now a successful nurse and loves her job.
