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have you found the career path that’s right for you? or are you still looking for a job that fulfils your needs and dreams? even if you're firmly established in your career, you may still wonder if you're on the right track, or if there's something else you can do in your life.
if you haven’t yet found the career that’s right for you, there will be clear signs that your current job is out of sync with your true personality, skills or interests.
what is a career path?
most people in the uk, for example, envision a lifetime job. they start as apprentices and work their way up the company's ladder until they reach retirement age. however, only a small fraction of employees have this type of job security today.
a career path is a succession of jobs, each of which should get you one step closer to hitting your overarching career goal.
most people think of their career path as a straight line with ups and downs. it starts with getting a job; learning and gaining skills and responsibilities; gaining money; and, finally, moving onto a new challenge.
while that’s fine in theory, in practice few career paths are that smooth. instead, rather than moving up, people might find a job with the same salary or even apply for a position with fewer responsibilities and a lower salary because it offers more potential for growth.
the important thing to remember is that there is no right or wrong approach. as long as you know where you're going and have a plan to get there, it’s fine.
signs that you are on the wrong career path
of course, not everyone is on the right professional path. there is nothing unusual if you feel like you fell into a career that is not perfect for you. here are some signs that you're on the wrong career path based on our experience:
luckily, chace people is here to help. if you think you're on the wrong track and want to see what's out there, check out our wide range of exciting new roles with some of the world’s top employers.
how to choose a career path
in order to find your career path, ask yourself questions about your future professional goals, your personality, and the lifestyle you are seeking. an important part of deciding which career path you want is spending time on self-reflection - you can use the following steps to help you choose a suitable and realistic career path:
identify your strengths
what are you good at doing? and conversely, how are you less good? writing down your greatest strengths and "your why" can help you understand what your dream job looks like. if you're good at numbers, perhaps a role in technology or finance might be right for you; if you like people, how about human resources or customer service work?
not sure about your next career change? want to find the right job for you? upload your cv to our system and let us do the job for you.
find something you're passionate about
if you love your job, it's a sure sign that you're on the right career path. so take the time to think about the things you're passionate about. do you want to collaborate with a large team? do you have a diverse role that can be very different from one day to the next? are you responsible for transferring your skills and knowledge to people down the ladder?
consider your previous experience
take a look at your previous jobs to find out which career path you may be best suited for. think about what you enjoyed at school or during your previous employment and see if there are any patterns, such as being able to use a particular skill. make a note of the roles where you felt the most fulfilled and use this information to narrow down your options.
for your next position? submit your cv today to stay up to date with all our live positions.
learn the job requirements for career paths that interest you
decide if your education to date is suitable or if you need to engage in further study.
if you would prefer to receive training through the workplace, look at industries that value career path and succession planning. the succession planning process involves training existing staff members to take over for more senior staff as they retire. this can be a great way for you to progress in your career and may mean that you don't need as much education as you thought you would.
understand your deal breakers
are you clear on what kind of people you want to work with and whom you will not? do you know what services you offer and which you will not? maybe you hate the idea of being stuck at your desk every day. or on the contrary, perhaps the idea of travelling for work will stress you out because you'd rather spend more time at home.
your deal breakers will help you identify your negotiables and non-negotiables before responding in a high-pressure situation with an answer you may regret later.
see expected benefits
while money shouldn't be the most important factor in choosing a career path, it naturally plays a role. ensure that you understand how much people would earn in your dream job - if you cannot achieve your other goals with this income, the job may not be the right choice for you. once you know what you're worth, it's important to know the right way to formulate your salary expectations for subsequent interviews.
ready to apply for your next position? submit your cv today to stay up to date with all our live positions.
