3 Simple Ways to Narrow Down Your Next Career

If you’ve ever worked with me or heard me speak, you know I don’t use assessments like the DISC, Meyers Briggs, etc. with my clients. I think they can be great but I prefer to help you find your best career through a combination of some self-introspection and lots of action.The introspection I teach does not consist of sitting around and thinking all that much. You’ve done enough thinking about your career, haven’t you? Instead, a great way to start the introspection step is to actually take a little bit of action and make three lists:

1. What are you good at?

These are your skills. Think back on your previous jobs, things you may have done in school, things people consider you an expert in and write down the details. Your list might include skills such as organizing, finding solutions to complex problems, sketching designs for interiors, listening, keeping a budget, managing a project, or turning a situation from a crisis into a success. Your list can be varied like this one.

2. What do you like to do?

Turn the page and now write down all of those things that you actually enjoy doing. These may include items from your “good at” list. You want to think about all of those times you were actually having fun–you felt like you were in the flow or very present in the moment. Most likely whatever you were doing came easy to you and you didn’t notice time passing!

3. What do you dream of doing?

These are your desires. They are the seemingly random ideas you have about your next career move. Regardless of whether they feel silly or like pipe dreams to you, jot them down. Make a list of the fleeting thoughts and interests you’ve had that you’ve thought, “Well, if money were no object, I’d do XYZ.” If stuck, ask yourself, “If I could do anything, I’d really love to ______________”

Next week I’ll show you what to do with these lists and how to turn them into your next job!
© 2007 Segaric Coaching Inc.

Annemarie Segaric is a respected career change coach, motivational speaker, and the author of the ebook, 107 Tips for Changing Your Career While Still Paying the Bills. Ready to switch careers and don’t know where to begin? Visit www.segaric.com and download your own career change toolkit today.