What Career Is Right for Me? Find Out Now

You're at a crossroads, wondering what career is right for you. Instead of relying on personality quizzes, a structured, evidence-based approach can guide you to clarity. We'll explore how to assess your strengths, conduct small experiments, and engage with professionals in fields you're interested in.

How to figure out what career you want

Start with a structured process to discover your ideal career. This involves assessing your strengths, trying out different roles through low-risk experiments, and having conversations with people already working in your areas of interest. This approach is far more reliable than online quizzes and can lead to more meaningful career decisions.

Assess your strengths and interests

Knowing what you're good at and what you enjoy is a crucial first step. Begin by creating a strengths inventory. Write down at least five tasks you excel at and five activities you genuinely enjoy.

Scenario: Say you have been a project manager for six years and find that you excel at organizing complex tasks and enjoy mentoring junior staff. These insights can inform your career exploration.

Next, score your current job satisfaction and alignment with your strengths using our career audit exercise. This will help you understand where there's room for improvement or change.

Conduct small experiments

Instead of leaping blindly into a new career, conduct small, low-risk experiments to test your interests. This could be volunteering for a project in a different department at work, freelancing on the side, or taking a short course.

Steps to run a small experiment:

1. Identify a role or field you're curious about.
2. Find a small way to engage with this interest, such as a weekend workshop or an online course.
3. Reflect on your experience: Did it energize you? What did you enjoy or dislike?
4. Decide on your next steps based on these reflections.

For example, if you're interested in digital marketing, you might start by creating a blog or helping a friend with their social media strategy. This hands-on experience can provide valuable insights.

Engage in career conversations

Talking to people who are already working in fields you're considering can offer invaluable insights. Seek out informational interviews with professionals in your areas of interest.

Script for requesting an informational interview:

"Hi [Name], I admire your work in [Field] and I'm currently exploring career options in this area. Would you be open to a 20-minute conversation to share your insights and experiences? I can work around your schedule."

These conversations can reveal day-to-day realities, necessary skills, and potential challenges that you might not find elsewhere. Our guides section can help you find someone who has successfully transitioned into a career you're considering.

Reflect and refine your options

After conducting your experiments and having conversations, it's time to reflect on your findings. Use a journal to write down what you've learned and how you felt during each experiment or conversation.

Steps to reflect effectively:

1. Review your notes from each experiment and conversation.
2. Look for patterns in what excited or drained you.
3. Write down the top three career paths that align with your strengths and interests.
4. Consider potential obstacles and how you might overcome them.

This reflection process will help you narrow down your options and focus on the most promising career paths.

Frequently asked questions

How do I know what career is right for me?

Start by assessing your strengths and interests, then conduct small experiments and talk with professionals in fields you're considering. This evidence-based approach is more reliable than quizzes.

What if I have too many interests?

Prioritize your interests by considering what aligns best with your strengths and current life circumstances. Consider starting with a broad field that can encompass multiple interests.

How long does it take to find the right career?

Finding the right career is a process, not a quick decision. It can take a few months to a year of exploring, experimenting, and reflecting to find a path that fits well.

Can I change careers if I'm over 40?

Yes, career changes are possible at any age. Leverage your existing skills and experiences, and be open to learning new ones. Networking can also be particularly helpful in transitioning fields.

Finding a career that's right for you is a journey that involves self-discovery and exploration. At Nawaya, we offer a free first session with a career mentor to help you navigate these steps thoughtfully and effectively.

Go deeper

• The five-step career clarity process