How to Look for a Career

If you're just starting out on your career track after college, or looking to change jobs and branch out into a new industry, you'll need to do some research about job options and try some career planning strategies. Searching for a new career can be overwhelming, but there are some simple ways to get started and find your dream job. A combination of online searching, networking with professionals in your industry, and monitoring job boards in your community are just a few ways to get started. Here's how to begin your search for a new career.

Things You'll Need

• Internet connection
• Notebook
• Resume

Instructions

1. Update your resume. Bring your resume up to date so you have a clear outline of your skills, experience and general career goals. This is a necessary step as you begin your career planning objective, and can help you focus on a particular industry or field.

2. Send your resume to professionals you already know. Start sending your resume to people you know through other jobs, school or community affiliations so they can recommend you to openings that they know of. This is a great way to find quality references for your job applications as well.

3. Take a career personality quiz. If you've chosen an industry that is too general or broad, a career personality quiz can help you narrow down your search.

4. Read the book, 'What Color is Your Parachute?'. This book provides career suggestions and advice based on your key personality traits, skills and experience level. If you're having trouble determining what skills and attributes you have, this book can help you nail down a comprehensive list.

5. Start an online search. Job sites including CareerBuilder and Monster can post your resume in a database and recommend different types of jobs to you. This can be a good way to learn what types of jobs you are qualified for, and the types of jobs available on the market.

6. Browse career guide books. Review different career guide books to learn about different positions and fields; this can help you brainstorm different options and consider different types of jobs that suit your likes and dislikes.

7. Consult with a career counselor. You don't have to be in college or high school to work with a career guidance counselor. Look for people in your community that offer career counseling services, especially if you can't narrow down the search on your own.

8. Check job listings in the local newspaper or Craigslist. Checking the job boards regularly will help you review job descriptions and learn about different options available in your area. This can be helpful when you want to understand what to expect from a particular position or field.

Tips & Warnings

• Take the time to review several options so you don't close yourself off to the possibilities

• Ask prospective employers about internship options if you're not sure about your long-term commitment

• Sign up for internships in college to get valuable work experience as early in your career as possible

• Even if you don't like your first few jobs, maintain good employment so you can have solid references as you move forward with your career

• Never pay a fee to gain access to a database of jobs

• Not all job and career matching services are legitimate; check with the Better Business Bureau before joining any type of service agreement, especially if you're being charged for it