If you’re getting no satisfaction from your current job, then it might be time to search for a new career. You might be trying to fit a square peg into a round hole, so it’s important that you find the right fit for you before you begin a new career path. You can start this process by answering a few questions about yourself:
- • What does the leadership in your company identify as your strengths?
- • When you’re working, what parts of your job motivate you the most?
- • What do online strengths and career tests tell you?
By answering these questions, you will be well on your way to figuring out what career suits you best and what will inspire you in your search for success and fulfillment.
What do the leaders in your company identify as your strengths?
Your first step is to identify your strengths, without focusing on your weaknesses. You want a new career that pushes you to explore and develop those strengths so that you can live every working day surrounded by tasks that highlight those positive qualities.
Performance reviews are an easy resource for you when you’re investigating your strengths. These should identify the areas where you are the most passionate about. Create a list of the best qualities those reviews identified, making note of those that are repeated or similar.
Your current or past coworkers can also help you narrow down your strengths. Ask them to help you by providing specific examples of when you’ve demonstrated the positive qualities you have when on the job. Be sure to emphasize that you’re looking for your strengths, since that’s the type of career you’re wanting to explore: one that emphasizes the positive traits you already have.
What parts of your job do you have the easiest time focusing on?
Once you’ve explored what other people identify as your strengths, do some self-exploration and take some time to practice introspection. When looking at the list you’ve made based on others’ evaluation of you, what stands out? Which of the qualities brings you the most joy? Have you heard the same thing from friends or family? What parts of your current job connect to those qualities?
This leads to the next question, what parts of your current job align both directly and indirectly to those qualities? These parts of the job are the things you most likely have the easiest time focusing on. There the parts of your current career that make it worth coming to work, help you get up in the morning, and really light a fire of motivation in you.
Believe it or not, there are other careers and other jobs that will help you make the same way. It’s not the task that matters, it’s the engagement of your strengths that is the most important.
What do online career or strengths tests tell you?
Sometimes it’s hard to identify your strengths and interests yourself, and sometimes, you feel like you’re getting mixed messages. By taking a free, online career or strengths test, you can confirm what others have already told you and maybe even narrow down your specific strengths and drive you in the direction of a potential new career path. Washington Technical Institute provides many different programs that can help you immediately change the pathway of your life and start a new career. Here are some free resources you can use to find out what your strengths are and what careers you might want to explore:
Washington Technical Institute offers many different certificate programs that can have you started in a new career within months. Once you’ve narrowed down your strengths and career interests, check out our programs to see which align with the career path that will motivate you and bring you fulfillment in your life. With open enrollment and self-paced learning, you’ll be ready to start your new career in no time.
