How do you decide on the right career? How can you choose a career? Last in a series within Career Advice.

If you're still reading this series, then you are not afraid to actually work to find your right career. This also means you will most likely SUCCEED at your chosen career - as you are willing to put in the necessary effort.

Got that list? If not, just go back to the first and second articles - please take some time to complete the exercises, as this section will not make much sense without it.

Now, hopefully you have your list of ambitions, goals, dreams, with some information if you have any kind of experience, as well as some research into possible careers - and putting that potential beside your "goal" or "point" on your list.

Read over your list - anything jump out at you? Please note - every time you look at your list you will probably notice something different or be drawn to a different point. That is normal!

Anyway, pick one of the careers/points that interest you. Get another sheet of paper/new document on the computer. Write the title of that career/point on the top. Have you done your research - what did you find out - write it down - short form or points are fine. Write out a list of questions of what does that job entail and anything else you are curious about. Do you know anyone who works in that field? Contact them and see if they will answer your questions. Don't know anyone? Look in the yellow pages for that type of work/business - and call or email! (note - in today's business world you are more likely to get a response from a call or email rather than a letter.) Explain you are thinking of joining that career and just have a few questions - would they consider taking about 10-15 minutes to answer? If now is not a good time, when could you call back? (DO NOT take longer than the 10-15 minutes - even if you have to set an alarm on your clock/watch.)

Two things happen here - you are learning to Network, and you are taking control of your career and self.

Now, after you have some information about the career - comes the last part. And for some reason, men have a much easier time doing this than women.

It's visualization. Now that you have a better feel for what the job actually entails - try to imagine yourself in that job. What are your daily routines? What are some of the perceived challenges? What do you think your office would be like? Do you like the travel that is involved/do you prefer that the job has limited/no travel?

Do you like the "feel" of that job - yes, it is in your mind, but can you see yourself doing that job?

This will help you eliminate some of the careers on your list - so that you can concentrate on the others.

Next step? Do you have the experience to get a job in that chosen career? Do you need more training - if so, start looking into training full or part time (depending on your financial circumstances) - or even applying for an entry position with the company that will lead to your career.

If you have some experience that could be applied - get that resume and cover letter going - get out there and apply!

Good luck - but remember, we make our own luck!

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Copyright September 4, 2006. Paym Bergson and Suite 101. All rights reserved.

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