Identify the most suitable job for you
Apr 12, 2009
STARTING a career is exciting, but many folks find it difficult to decide the best job for themselves. Since most of us work for most of our adult lives, it is important to choose a job that not only helps us pay the bills, but also one which we can stand
By Fred Ouma
STARTING a career is exciting, but many folks find it difficult to decide the best job for themselves. Since most of us work for most of our adult lives, it is important to choose a job that not only helps us pay the bills, but also one which we can stand for a number of decades. Experts give tips for finding a suitable job for yourself.
Natural abilities
Consider your natural aptitudes. All of us have strengths and weaknesses, so take an honest look at yourself in order to find a job that you will be good at and one, which will make you happy. There are a number of things to consider when doing a self-assessment, says Fagil Mandy of Famecon, an educational and leadership consultancy. For instance, are you an indoor or an outdoor person? Do you like to be strictly scheduled or do you prefer a bit of flexibility? Are you a team player, loner, creative or possess a methodical personality? “If you are having trouble, consult a career expert or mentor to help you identify your personal strengths,†he says.
Education background Some careers require very little in the way of formal education, while others demand that applicants have advanced degrees, even for entry level positions. When deciding on a career path, Mandy, who is also a leading educationist, advises taking into account how much education you are willing to get and able to afford.
Level of commitment
Some people enjoy their work so much that they do not mind putting in lots of hours. However, others don’t. Different careers require different levels of commitment, says Fatmah Nabukalu, a human resources practitioner. She suggests considering how much of your life you want to spend working before choosing a job.
Personal goals
When the time comes for you to retire, what will you have hoped to have accomplished, for example? While retirement may seem like a long way off, Francis Babu, an entrepreneur, insists you should know your long-term goals in advance. What things matter most to you? Do you want to make a difference in someone’s life? Do you want to be known for your creative genius? Do you hope to build a sizeable fortune? Babu notes: “Your answers should guide you towards or away from certain professions.â€
Job market
No matter how strongly you feel that you are destined to do a certain job, Nabukalu says you have to be realistic about the job market. She says seeking advice from a career planner may help you determine whether or not your “ideal†job is in a growing or a declining market.
Financial rewards
Even if you do not focus a lot on monetary wealth, you will have bills to pay. Therefore, you have to be sure that your ‘ideal’ profession provides you with enough money to meet your basic needs. If it doesn’t, consider another one.
Separate wants from needs
Sometimes, we really can have it all, but most times, we must choose things, which mean the most to us. The happiest folks are often those who love their work. So, carefully considering how you hope to spend your time is essential. Charles Ocici of Enterprise Uganda suggests you take a careful look at your budget for now and the future so that you determine how much money you need to make and get ready to make adjustments. “If you’re lucky, you won’t have to compromise much. You can also see ways of balancing your work and family life in order to find happiness and success in both,†Ocici says.
Never an easy road
At this stage, you have got an advantage over less proactive job-seekers.You know what you want and you can spell out why this career is good for you. According to Nabukalu, that is something most job-seekers can’t do – certainly not the folks who dispatch 20 resumes a day to any company, which has posted an advertisement in the newspapers.
It could take you six months or a year to land your dream job, and it could lead to a change of location. It could also require an industry or functional shift and a lot of networking, hours of research, and more hours of follow-up, online and over the phone. If that sounds too daunting, you could take the next job that comes down the line. But as Mandy intriguingly asks: “Don’t you deserve at least one dream job in your career?â€
STARTING a career is exciting, but many folks find it difficult to decide the best job for themselves. Since most of us work for most of our adult lives, it is important to choose a job that not only helps us pay the bills, but also one which we can stand for a number of decades. Experts give tips for finding a suitable job for yourself.
Natural abilities
Consider your natural aptitudes. All of us have strengths and weaknesses, so take an honest look at yourself in order to find a job that you will be good at and one, which will make you happy. There are a number of things to consider when doing a self-assessment, says Fagil Mandy of Famecon, an educational and leadership consultancy. For instance, are you an indoor or an outdoor person? Do you like to be strictly scheduled or do you prefer a bit of flexibility? Are you a team player, loner, creative or possess a methodical personality? “If you are having trouble, consult a career expert or mentor to help you identify your personal strengths,†he says.
Education background Some careers require very little in the way of formal education, while others demand that applicants have advanced degrees, even for entry level positions. When deciding on a career path, Mandy, who is also a leading educationist, advises taking into account how much education you are willing to get and able to afford.
Level of commitment
Some people enjoy their work so much that they do not mind putting in lots of hours. However, others don’t. Different careers require different levels of commitment, says Fatmah Nabukalu, a human resources practitioner. She suggests considering how much of your life you want to spend working before choosing a job.
Personal goals
When the time comes for you to retire, what will you have hoped to have accomplished, for example? While retirement may seem like a long way off, Francis Babu, an entrepreneur, insists you should know your long-term goals in advance. What things matter most to you? Do you want to make a difference in someone’s life? Do you want to be known for your creative genius? Do you hope to build a sizeable fortune? Babu notes: “Your answers should guide you towards or away from certain professions.â€
Job market
No matter how strongly you feel that you are destined to do a certain job, Nabukalu says you have to be realistic about the job market. She says seeking advice from a career planner may help you determine whether or not your “ideal†job is in a growing or a declining market.
Financial rewards
Even if you do not focus a lot on monetary wealth, you will have bills to pay. Therefore, you have to be sure that your ‘ideal’ profession provides you with enough money to meet your basic needs. If it doesn’t, consider another one.
Separate wants from needs
Sometimes, we really can have it all, but most times, we must choose things, which mean the most to us. The happiest folks are often those who love their work. So, carefully considering how you hope to spend your time is essential. Charles Ocici of Enterprise Uganda suggests you take a careful look at your budget for now and the future so that you determine how much money you need to make and get ready to make adjustments. “If you’re lucky, you won’t have to compromise much. You can also see ways of balancing your work and family life in order to find happiness and success in both,†Ocici says.
Never an easy road
At this stage, you have got an advantage over less proactive job-seekers.You know what you want and you can spell out why this career is good for you. According to Nabukalu, that is something most job-seekers can’t do – certainly not the folks who dispatch 20 resumes a day to any company, which has posted an advertisement in the newspapers.
It could take you six months or a year to land your dream job, and it could lead to a change of location. It could also require an industry or functional shift and a lot of networking, hours of research, and more hours of follow-up, online and over the phone. If that sounds too daunting, you could take the next job that comes down the line. But as Mandy intriguingly asks: “Don’t you deserve at least one dream job in your career?â€