Society teaches us to look around when we search for a career direction. Traditionally, we used to look at our parents or friend’s jobs. Nowadays, we are taught to look at hot jobs, emerging fields, prestigious companies, what’s financially safe and so on. But, we forget to look where it matters: inside us!
You need to take into account your:
Strengths – what you do well and enjoy doing it.
Answering the following questions will help you identify your strengths:
– What am I good at?
– What do I enjoy and makes me feel energized?
– What comes naturally and easily to me?
Personality – the sum total of a person’s behavioural, temperamental and emotional traits.
Being aware of your personality traits, accepting them, and choosing a career to suit them will definitely help you enjoy your work.
For example, if you are extrovert and enjoy meeting other people, it’s advised to choose a career involving interaction with people. You would do well in roles such as sales, marketing, public relations, etc. On the other hand, if you are introvert and feel more comfortable when left alone, it’s advised to choose a career not requiring dealing with the public.
There are various test which can help you better know your personality and its implications on your career. An example is the Myers Briggs Test Instrument (MBTI).
Values – what you consider important and valuable.
To know your values, make a list with what is important to you and prioritize the item. You can identify your values also using value inventories on the Internet.
Your values, which differ from person to person, (e.g. money, prestige, power, respect, harmony, independence, etc.) hint towards the kind of work that will suit you. For example, if you value achievement, you would do well in roles that challenge you continuously. Or if you like helping others, you would do well in roles that involve serving others.
Interests – doing the work that interests you can have a lasting impact on your career
If you are interested in your work, you are going to do well. Great achievers always pursued what fascinated them. For example, Akio Morita refused to join the family business of sake brewing to pursue what he was interested in- electronics- and he created Sony.
To uncover your interests, find out what fascinates you and draws your attention.
All in all, understanding your knowledge, skills, ability and interest is very important. These dictate your desire and your capability for doing a certain job. But do not forget that the most influential is your personality. Your behavioural preferences and tendencies are a critical component of strategic career management, as they impact the type of work you will enjoy, the kinds of people you like to be around, how you define success and what motivates and even turns you off.
