How do you decide what job to do?

Make a list of occupations generated from the self-assessment test. Find any occupations that appeal to you. They may be careers you have prior knowledge about and want to explore further. Also, include professions about which you don't know much. You might learn something unexpected.

Obtain some basic information about each of the occupations on your list from advertised job vacancies, read the job descriptions. Research educational, training job roles and descriptions. Learn about job progression opportunities and salary earnings.

Begin to narrow down your list even further. Start eliminating the careers you don't want to pursue any further. You should end up with two to five occupations on your "short list."
Tips to eliminate jobs/careers from your list:

• Cross off your list any job you find reasons that are unacceptable or are non-negotiable.
• Get rid of everything with duties that don't appeal to you.
• Delete careers that have weak job prospects.
• Remove any occupation you are unable or unwilling to achieve the educational or other requirements.
• Delete if you lack some of the soft skills necessary to succeed in it and you are reluctant to acquire these skills.

Meet with people who work in the occupations in which you are interested. They can provide firsthand knowledge about the careers on your shortlist. Look at your personal network of family, friends or acquaintances, join LinkedIn, to source people with whom to have these informational interviews.

Pick the occupation that you think will bring you the most satisfaction based on all the information you have gathered.

According to career change statistics, the average person will change careers 5-7 times during their working life!

Pinpoint your long-term and short-term goals. This helps to plan a path toward eventually landing work in your chosen field. Long-term goals typically take about three to five years to reach, while you can usually fulfill a short-term goal in six months to three years.
An example of a long-term goal would be completing your education and training. Short-term goals include applying to college, apprenticeships, other training programs, and internships.

Create a career path when you know what you want. Taking these steps early will save you a lot of struggle and uncertainty in the long run.

Produce a written plan that lays out all the steps you will have to take to reach your goals. Think of it as a road map that will take you from point A to B, then to C and D. Write down all your short- and long-term goals and the steps you will have to take to reach each one. Complete a SWOT analysis that will highlight anticipated barriers that could prevent you from achieving your goals—and help you to think of ways you can overcome them.