How to Find a Career That Fits Who You Are

Expert Tips for Determining Your Best Career Path

One of the biggest causes of job dissatisfaction is working in the wrong job -- working in a career that does not fit who you are... or who you want to be.

Whether you are a student seeking a career path that avoids this issue or currently working in a job that does not fit you this article is for you. We provide some expert tips to help people understand themselves and their options -- putting you on the path to a better career.

Are you ready to do the work necessary to find a career that fits who you are? If so keep reading!

How to Find a Career That Fits Who You Are

Best Career Tip #1: Determine Favorite Activities

While this tip may seem obvious to you it is first because the results may startle and surprise you -- even though you may do some of these activities regularly. Remember to review all your favorite activities -- from work home volunteering hobbies and the like.

For example you may enjoy volunteering at the soup kitchen taking long hikes in the woods and working to better your community. Don't try to make sense of your list of activities -- just document them for now.

Best Career Tip #2: Clarify Work Work Skills You Enjoy

Make a list of the type of work you like doing -- and the type of work skills you enjoy using the most. Do NOT include any skills in which you excel but also dislike.

For example you may work in accounting but find training people -- and helping others understand new concepts -- extremely rewarding. Thus a favorite activity not directly related to your current job may lead you to consider a career in training or education.

Best Career Tip #3: Reveal Hidden Talents Interests

Sometimes we have buried interests and talents -- things from long ago that got quashed because they were deemed childhood passions or fantasies. Other times they are a hidden guilty pleasure.

For example when you were a child you wanted to be a forester but that dream got paved over by the realities of a business career. Looking back perhaps that early interest in forestry may lead you to explore a career in conservation or green industry.

Best Career Tip #4: Identify Key Work Values Issues

This analysis is perhaps the most loaded one -- lots of issues you need to sort out and decide their relative importance. Examine issues such as need for work-life balance your preferred work style and your workplace values (including issues such as salary stress work conditions and the like). [See Quintessential Careers: Workplace Values Assessment.]

For example you might think you want a conventional career but once you complete this analysis you find that you value independence and time with family more.

Best Career Tip #5: Research Careers

Once you've worked through the first four tips -- and it should take you some time to do so -- the last hurdle to finding that ideal career is conducting research.

Your goal should involve identifying one or more career paths that utilize the skills you possess and like that grabs your attention and excites you and that offers the work conditions you most desire.

Final Thoughts on Finding a Career That Best Fits You

Some lucky people fall into the perfect career while many of the rest of us toil in various jobs and careers hoping the next one will be the "one." If you're struggling do NOT let chance decide your next job/career move; instead use these tips to find the best career path for you.

Don't forget to eliminate negative thoughts distractions and outside influences when contemplating your career choices.

Finally for those already in a career: once you have identified a new career field use our MyCareerBlast.com My Career Change section to help facilitate your successful transition to your new career.