I can do all things...Phil 4:13

8 Steps to Finding Your Ideal Job/Career

You obviously are serious about finding your ideal job/career. You spend the majority of your awaken hours “on-the-job” so it is ever so important that you are satisfied at your particular vocation. The following 8 steps will provide you with an overview of how to find your ideal job/career. My mantra is, “once you find your ideal job, you will never have to work another day in your life.”

1. Career Coaching

If you are not where you want to be vocationally or you desire to be further along than you are, seeking the services of a career coach to discuss your current situation is a logical place to start. Your career coach will walk with you on your journey to that ideal job or career. If you just want to be more satisfied with your present job or career, your career coach can help you with reaching that level of satisfaction you desire. This is also the stage where you should begin identifying and setting goals. In order for you to reach your destination you are going to need a ‘road map’ to get you there. Your coach will be your guide as well as someone you can be accountable to in order to reach the pinnacle of your work life, which will directly impact your ‘other’ lives – personal, family, social, community.

2. Self-Assessment

The next stage you will begin to find out who you are. I know you have been who are for however long you have been alive. Countless times I have heard stories of individuals who came from a job interview and were distraught because they struggled with the infamous questions, “tell me a little bit about yourself?” and “what are your strengths and weaknesses?” You need to know you before you even attempt to tell a potential employer. Here’s how.

There are numerous career and personality inventories that will give you a general picture of who you are. These inventories are not absolutes, however they can help you to understand you a little better, especially when you come to the point when an interviewer asks you questions about you. You can take inventories that will provide you with information regarding what skills you have that are more present than others; assessments that seek to identify what interests you may have related to specific careers; or you may take inventories that assess your work values. The number and type are unlimited which makes it even more important to work with a career coach to see how the results fit with your greater plan.

3. Career Exploration

Once you have gathered results from your assessments, you now want to begin developing a list of “potential” occupations or career interests.

You may begin to see areas of interest that you may not have otherwise been aware. Some assessments will “match” you with a career. This does not mean that this is where you should make a final decision. It is a beginning point. You should use this information to see what fits with your personality, skills, abilities, and talents.

Whether you believe it or even know it, there is a career or job specifically designed for you with your name on it. Through exploration and career coaching, this will become more evident to you.

Where can you find careers to explore? What resources are available? In today’s information age, it is unlimited where this information resides. You can find it in print material such as the Encyclopedia of Careers, Occupational Outlook Handbook, and Dictionary of Occupational Titles. There are also online resources such as the Bureau of Labor Statistics (www.bls.gov), and Job Web (www.jobweb.com). These, of course, are just a few of the numerous resources available to you. Another source of information can be found directly from professional associations in your field of interest. The purpose of these associations is to promote their respective industries through networking, conferences, publications and membership activities. If you are a student, some associations may have student membership rates to join. For more information check your local library for the Encyclopedia of Associations.

4. Informational Interviewing

Information interviewing is another means by which to gather career information. You have done your exploration in print and internet resources, but there is nothing more valuable than receiving firsthand information from someone currently in the industry you may be seeking to enter. Contact by phone, mail or e-mail, those individuals who are doing what you want to do. Ask for a minimum of 30 minutes in which you can ask prepared questions about the job. IMPORTANT: the goal of the information interview is to gather information, NOT get a job. With this in mind you are going in as a sponge to soak up any information you can.

You should be asking questions about entry-level requirements (or general requirements) for the position or field; what the typical work day is like; advancement opportunities and even salary information. Do not ask for personal information, such as “how much do you make?” There are a number of questions you can ask, so keep them to a minimum as long as you get answers to your basic questions. Leave the interview open to being able to call back for follow-up questions. Also, request a business card from everyone you speak with as well as ask for recommendations of other people whom you may contact. This helps to build your network you can use when you are looking for actual employment.

5. Synthesize Personal Inventory

Once you have reached this stage, you may be overwhelmed with information. You may want to discuss any progress or headway you are making with your career coach. You should now start to see themes developing. Skills, abilities and/or talents you “discovered” earlier should begin to merge with the information you have gathered through your career exploration exercises and information interviews. If not, go back and re-evaluate your assessments.

If you do see themes, great you are well on your way to finding your ideal career. Here you will want to synthesize your personal inventory to those skills, etc. that represent the real you; those skills that you will use for the rest of your life in your chosen endeavor. You should know what these are inside and out. Without a doubt, you know this is who you are.

6. Prioritize/Rank Order Career Options

This stage is very simple. Identify 4-5 (or less) careers or jobs that are of particular interest to you. Next you want to rank them according to how well they fit with your personal inventory. Eventually, you will want to narrow this down to your top two. Your career coach will be very instrumental from this point forward to ensure you are moving in the direction you want.

7. Develop a Self-Marketing Strategy

You are now at the stage of developing your self-marketing strategy. How will you present yourself to your next employer (excluding being your own boss)? With the guidance of your career coach, you should have a professional resume. This is one of your main vehicles – other than yourself – that potential employers will evaluate to see if you are a fit with their organization. This is also the stage where you should be honing up your interviewing skills, the other vehicle employers use. I cannot stress enough the importance of being professional in all contact with a future employer.

Attend workshops or seminars on interviewing; resume writing or any other job search strategy. You may want to check with local employment services and colleges for workshop calendars. Also, attend career/job fairs to meet with employers in a neutral setting to “advertise” yourself and to learn more about what they have to offer. Again, professionalism should reign supreme including wardrobe.

8. Career Coaching

Now you are in position to position yourself for employment experience. Be mindful, though, that employment experience has different forms. Experience may come in the form of internships, co-op, shadowing or even volunteering. Our purposes here are for full-time employment; however do not be opposed to these for they may be opportunities in disguise. Also, many employers today hire through temp agencies – i.e. temp to hire and online, which offers other opportunities.

Discuss your plan of action with a career coach and be prepared to walk into your ideal career. Excerpted from How to Find Your ideal Job/Career.

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Herm Allen is an Academic & Career Coach residing in Clemson, SC. He has worked with students for over 15 years as a student development coordinator, career counselor, tutor coordinator and academic advisor. Herm has also taught career and study skills courses at the college level. He can be reached at herm@hermallencoaching.net. ©2006 Herm Allen