Which job for me?
Friday 3 November 2006
Starting to think about getting a job but aren't sure about the right career path for you?
If you don't know which way to go, here are some things to start thinking about when plotting your perfect career.
Money talk
Unless you've got some cash behind you and you fancy doing voluntary work for a career, you'll need to think about getting paid for what you do. Starting salaries tend not to be the stuff that dreams are made of; it can take time before you're earning a good wage.
Different careers have different salary prospects, with highly-skilled professions gaining you more cash. To get into a higher-earning profession, you might have to do further study or training or get some specialised qualifications.
Don't let a slightly lower salary put you off; check out the prospects of that job because there may be the chance to progress quickly.
Location location location
To find the right job for you, you might have to look further than the end of your street. Different towns have different industries and you might find more opportunities somewhere else.
Will it work for you?
Are you more the creative type? Would you rather get stuck in and get your hands dirty? Maybe you want a job that's physically demanding and keeps you fit. When thinking about a career, think about the sort of things you're good at and think you would enjoy doing day in, day out.
The hours
You may think that most jobs are 9-5 every Monday to Friday but that's not the case at all. Some jobs will involve shift work or working at more unsociable hours of the day.
Could you work in a career which would mean you working on Christmas Day or late at night? Nursing, for example, can mean working when nobody else would want to, so it's a career choice that takes a lot of dedication.
Where to work?
One thing you're going to have to consider when thinking about a career is where you are going to spend your working day. In a full-time job, you might have to work 40 hours a week, which is a long time to spend if you're somewhere you don't want to be.
If you're a fan of the great outdoors, working in a job where you're stuck inside all day probably isn't the best idea. If you're not a fan of nature, working on a farm is more than likely not going to be your thing.
