Smart steps to take when planning for satisfying career

  

Date Posted: 7/21/2012 7:57:51 AM

Posted By: Kitavi  Membership Level: Gold  Total Points: 1987

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What is the right time to choose a career?

Career planning should start as early as high school, because choosing the right subjects to study will prevent you from wasting time and money on something that will not make you happy. But it is never too late to start planning. Career planning does not have an age restriction. If you are still at school, speak to your careers guidance teacher. If you are working, or, if you have the money to do so, see an employment counsellor who is trained to match your personality to the job that best suits you.

Choose the right field

Career planning should begin with finding the industry or line of work that is most suited to your skills, interests and personality. There are tools and resources to help you do this, even if you are already working in a different field.

If you are not sure which direction you want to take, an assessment test will help you define yourself better. This is usually a questionnaire that you fill in before having your answers assessed by an expert. The results are then matched with the best types of jobs for you. There are several internet-based assessment tests that can guide you. Use a search engine to locate career-related advice, if you are sure about where your interests lie, you will draw up a list of jobs you would like to do and then find people who work in those fields. They can give you an idea of what those jobs involve.
When you have identified the right field, you need to find out what is required to get into it. Do you need particular qualifications, experience or both.

If you need a particular qualification to get the job you want, you will

have to find information about
- What course to study.
- Where you can study it.
- How to fund your studies.
- How long the course is.

If experience is what you need to get in, there are different ways to do that too. Look at the following options.
Part-time work while you study:you can gain experience and meet the right people to help with your future career.
Internships and apprenticeships: You can find out about internships from the Ministry of Labour or look for adverts placed by companies or government departments. You can also use your own initiative and submit your CV to NGOs, faith based organisations, businesses or government departments, with a covering letter expressing your interest in an internship. Not-for-profit organisations can offer advise on your volunteering options.
Get in through the back door:you can do this by taking another job just to get into the industry. Make the most of it by being willing to learn and proving your potential. For example, you can join a film company as a runner, with the aim of becoming a producer one day.

How will you move up?

If you are already in an industry that you enjoy, you need to plan the path from where you are to where you want to be. You can do this by:
Finding out what other people in the industry have done to get promoted.
Asking for more responsibility to show that you are ready to move up. Career guidance experts say if you can finish your work quickly and need a new challenge, you are probably ready for promotion.
Maintaining a good relationship with those above you. You do not have to go overboard and bake scones for your boss, but build a connection by asking for advice and making suggestions.
Have faith when you are planning your career. The more you plan, the less obstacles you will see between you and the job you want. With courage, will achieve the right plan to get you where you want to go.

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