Many industry leaders today once stood in your shoes facing the same question – where should I start my dream career? The success they’ve achieved today is closely related to their choice of first employer – a choice that influenced their skills, networking possibilities and professional knowledge.
So if passion and expected happiness can’t be your guides, what can be? Well, you can begin by choosing a career that fits well with your skills and values.
Since you actually have some sense of what those are (hopefully), this is a good starting place.
Skills and Strengths
Motivated skills are the skills you are good (or great) at AND enjoy doing. They are not all your strengths, but rather those you are eager to use. In fact, you may find that “time flies” while you are using your motivated skills!
Interests and Passions
Common sense would indicate that if you are highly interested in (or even passionate about) a career or job, you would perform at a higher level and be more satisfied and successful. Your passions and interests could also play a part in which industries and companies you prefer.
Values and Goals
Values are the motivating factors that make your career or job more satisfying. They go beyond a paycheck to the other elements that make you eager to tackle your job each day. These values are also tied into your short-term and long-term career and life goals.
A good start is half done !