As we know, workers exchange their labor in return for money. However, in today’s world, more and more people are looking beyond the fulfillment of their financial needs. This is to satisfy the other important aspects of their lives that surround self-actualization: self-esteem, belonging, safety and physiological factors as stated in Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. The fact is, while some can truly achieve their imperative needs, a few others fail to pursue their ideal career. Choosing the right career can be tricky and often push you towards the most annoying dilemma in your life. And what remains constant is the external pressure to land you the perfect job.

Well, career dilemmas can be easily conquered if you can find solutions to a few basic problems in your life. And if you are still in search of those solutions, you have landed on the right page. Check out whether you have the same set of problems that I had a few years back and decide on the right career direction you should take.

Confused about your aspirations

This way or that way – is this how you feel your aspiration is going. photo credit: Lori Greig

Making a right connection between yourself and your career is challenging. However, there are a few factors that can help you assess your career ideas

Choose a career that genuinely interests you. The career profile should go well with your natural tendencies and in no way clash with your skill set and personality. If you are good at creativity, do not run after a sales job.

Analyse what exactly you need from your job. Is it only the money or your creative satisfaction? If you are not getting both the elements, try to prioritize what is important at the initial level and gradually everything will fall in place. On the contrary, if money tops your priority list, choose a field that can help you to meet your needs.

You are not sure of what you like

Choosing a rewarding career is not just about getting the appropriate job. It involves your likes and dislikes. Identifying these elements is extremely crucial as it is closely associated with your career search. Your likes about the work environment, activities or nature of work help you to develop your skills and learn more about potential jobs specific to your areas of interests. If you are not sure of your own likes, your attempt at developing a successful career will certainly suffer.

Start investing time to explore new things which you think you might like. Ask yourself why you like it to gain a deeper insight into your preferences. Exploring new things in life will help you to increase your self-knowledge.

You are not well informed to take the right career decision

It is important to love the work you do. Do not get disheartened if you fail to prosper in one job. It is not mandatory that you have to choose the best option. You can find endless career option to choose from. Some of which could be just at the perfect junction of what you are good at. If you do not want to see yourself sitting back hopelessly, devote one hour every day on research work to reach your dream job. Check your favourite blogs, career sites, job lists or newspapers and keep yourself well informed about the job market and what is in real demand. Make a choice and try it to enhance your career skills.

You know it’s too late but still want to change your career

Many people fall into the trap of staying in ill-fitted positions for years. By the time they think it’s high time to leave the job, it seems like it’s too late. If you assume that you are too old to start over and build up your career, you are certainly making a wrong decision. There is always a right time to make a change. While you change career, age matters a lot less than your knowledge about the industry you are planning to move into. The smartest way to make a move is to spend as much time researching and planning as possible, so that you are in a better position to deal with the new role and improvise effectively to manage the unexpected situations.

Most importantly, be honest about your skills and abilities.