How to Make a Career Choice

You've assessed your current strengths and goals, and you've researched several careers that seem to be a good fit. How do you decide which career to pursue? The career you choose will affect your life path more than almost any other decision you'll make in your life. How do you make the right choice?

Instructions

Look at the Situation From a Relaxed and Open Perspective

1. Remember it doesn't have to be forever. Keep in mind that, on average, people change career fields three or four times in their lives, and at least one of those times is after age 50.

2. Keep in mind that your goals and priorities may change.

3. As you go through the career exploration process, keep an open mind to many possibilities, even some you may not have previously considered.

Organize Your Information

1. List your priorities. What are the work-related factors that are most important to you? For example, do you need to be creative in your work? Do you prefer a structured environment? For each career, write down the factors that match your priorities.

2. Make a list of likes and dislikes for each career choice.

3. Assign a numerical value from 1 to 5 based on level of importance to each like and dislike. For example, say you're considering public relations as one career choice. One disadvantage of this occupation may be that irregular hours are typical. If you're not thrilled with this kind of schedule, but it's not too big a deal to you, you might give this factor a 1 or a 2 value.

4. Calculate a score for each career choice by subtracting the cons from the pros.

5. Choose your next career venture based on the occupation with the highest score.

Tips & Warnings

• Consider your instincts as well as concrete information in your decision-making. Does your choice feel right to you? Does it reflect who you are? Remember it's okay to change your mind.

• Read "Do What You Are," Paul D. Tieger & Barbara Barron-Tieger for additional insight on choosing a career.

• Don't resist moving in new directions because of fear or because of past goals that may not apply anymore.