How to Decide if a Certain Career Is Right for You

Series Summary

Since the advent of the Internet, individuals beginning a job search have a wealth of resources available when the time comes to look for new or different employment opportunities. In many ways, job hunting has been totally revolutionized as online classifieds, resumes on the web and the pure immediacy of a so-called live job search help both employers and potential employees find the information and positions they need more quickly and easily. Though the modern job market has changed a lot in the last 10 to 15 years, there are still undeniable elements to a job search that haven't and won't change regardless of technology's advances. Having an easy to read and informative resume, being able to research a job and negotiate with a potential employer, and taking advantage of a network of friends, associates and potential employers are still very important skills that every job hunter (and employee) should feel comfortable with and work to maintain. In this free video clip series, an experienced career consultant will discuss not only the ways in which technology and the Internet can assist you on your job search, but will also cover more traditional topics such as networking techniques, tips for doing research and familiarizing yourself with a company's product and business identity prior to an interview, techniques for making the most of an interview with a potential employer and the importance of setting goals during the hunt for employment. Learn how to use your references, accomplishments, and networking skill set to the best use possible, find a job that is perfect for you and land the position without the stress and worry that typically comes along with a job hunt.

Video Transcript

"Hi, my name is Pat Goodwin, with patgoodwinandassociates.com. Today, we're going to talk about how to decide if a career is the right one for you. As you begin to explore career options you're going to naturally be thinking about what you like to do, and what you don't like to do. You will begin to think about things that you have done, as far as part-time jobs, or maybe jobs during college, or maybe jobs during high school that you really enjoyed doing, the type of work you enjoy doing. Do you enjoy being around people? Do you enjoy being in an office setting? Do you enjoy being outside? So, what is your preference into the type of work based on the atmosphere or the environment? Once you make some determinations about what you think you'd really like to do, and then what is it the skill set that they would prefer you to have in those types of jobs? There are so many careers available. We are so blessed in this country to have so much opportunity, and as you begin to explore career options and what is the best skill for you and the best career for you, you can take a look at a book named from Richard Bolle called What color Is Your Parachute? That book is an excellent book, and it's very well written, and it's very well thought of in the professional settings, and you could work the exercises to make some determinations about what career field you might want to choose. As you enter college if you do go to college you want to be into get your electives out of the way, and begin exploring the career options that would lead you and direct you into the type of work that you want to do. If you make a decision to go into a field of trade, whether it be plumbing, electrician, a salon operator, a real estate agent they are honorable professions that are of service to people, and we at all one time need that type of service, so begin just to explore and maybe try a summer working in that type of company, or get an, get an internship working in that organization to see if that's what you want to do. But as you mature in your career, in your field of work there may be a career change that you're interested in, and once you make a decision about a career choice, and if you're looking to make a career change because you've found that that's not as satisfying for you, what I would suggest you do at that time is to explore what your transferable skills are. Take a look at what it is that you've been enjoying doing. What are you really, really good at. There are some people that are very strategic in their thinking. There are people who can actually visualize how to solve a problem. They can actually take a look at something and really know what to do next. There's others that are very good at planning and administrative work. They are good more individual contributors. Every work is honorable if it's done professionally. It may be that you enjoy answering phones, and being the first person that they see as they walk in an office. That's one of the most important people in a building. So, be able to determine what's a best fit for you, and as you explore your career and look at the jobs that you have, hopefully your career will evolve, that you'll end up making a good career choice, and your your career will evolve based on your experience, life experience, and you will be able to move forward in your career and be happy and have a quality of life. And that's how you find a career."