“The supreme accomplishment is to blur the line between work and play.”
What job to do?
What job is for me
A job you enjoy
Job goals
Planning for a job
Job action plan
Ready to apply?
Best Cover letters
Write a cv
How to find a job
Jobs in newspapers
Jobs for the boys
Ask & you might
Jobs on the web
Interview advice
Interview preparation
Interview Q & A’s
Company research
Interview research
Interview skills
Prepare 4 interview
Interview phrases
Good interview questions
Clothing for an interview
Lying in an interview
How to lie in an interview
What job is for me?
If you’ve reached this page you may be undecided on which job is for you. For expert inside advice tailored to the most popular jobs, take a look at Career Objectives
Finding which career is for you can be puzzling to say the least. You may have a small list of jobs you would consider or a huge intimidating catalogue, and you don’t know where to start.
Whichever category you are in, we have some clear advice aimed at guiding you towards the job you want.
A little research
Many people simply lack the motivation to do any job research. If you are one of these people go to your nearest stationery shop right now. Buy yourself a decent sized writing pad and a cheap pen. These will make up your ‘job search kit’. On the cover write ‘job search kit’ in big letters. Use the writing pad to make notes as you progress in your research. I know it sounds a childish, but bear with me.
The real purpose of the kit is to simply get you started in your research; if you’ve got a place to write your notes, you are more likely to make some. Sometimes the first step is the hardest. Now you have an easy first step: getting the pen and paper.
Some people have never researched anything before; don’t worry its not very difficult. Aim for a list of at least 20 jobs, and try to complete the list in less than 2 weeks.
Tasks
- Make notes of the jobs you think you would like to do.
- Give each job a score from 1 to 10.
- Detail why you would like that particular job.
Where can I do my research?
Papers are cheap, easy to read and you can circle the jobs you have an interest in, before you write them in your pad. They often have days when they list their jobs, so don’t expect listings every day. Try national, regional and local papers.
The Internet has a wealth of information (well, you’re reading this aren’t you?) you can use. Go to your favourite search engine, such as Google and enter ‘jobs’. You will be presented with a huge list of places to research.
If you live in a large town or city you may have a Careers Advice Centre. Here you will find professional advice on a wide range of jobs.
Job centres usually have hundreds of jobs available. However, many jobs which reach the jobs centre may be low skilled or low waged.
Ask anybody you can about their job experience, I’m sure they’ll be please to help.
Look for patterns
When your research is complete, look for patterns or trends which are common to a number of your chosen jobs. This may guide you towards a certain area of work or push you away from others. Other patterns may point you towards technical or outdoor employment.
What matters, is you have undertaken a research task and completed it. You have listed about 20 jobs, and now have a basic idea of what those jobs entail and whether they are suitable for you.
Stay motivated
Motivation is the key to finding employment which suits you. The only way you’re going to find a job you like is to find it, unless you are very lucky and it finds you.
This is the first part of a series of self-help guides helping you to get the right job.
Now you need to find a job you will enjoy.
Last modified: Wednesday 20 April 2011