Choosing a career and getting a job is more than just a way to maintain a source of livelihood. While some people think of going to work as merely a way of surviving, you'll find that by shifting your perspective to find an environment in which you can thrive - enjoy yourself, make the best use of your talents, and reap fulfilling rewards - may take a bit of thought but pays big dividends over your working life.

WHAT will you do? Finding out what you can offer the working world.

First find out what your gifts and talents are - what are your favourite skills?

Different types of people are attracted to different subject matter and different working areas - three rough categories that are often used to help choose the type of work you want to do relates to you ability to work with data/information, people or things.

• Do you like coordinating, organising, analysing, compiling, copying or comparing information? Then you may be better suited in jobs that relate to data or information.
• Do you like mentoring, negotiating, instructing, supervising, persuading speaking to or helping people? Then you may be best suited in jobs that relate closely with people.
• Do you like setting up assembling, operating or handling machines or gadgets? Then you may be well suited to jobs that work directly with things.

Transferable skills are skills that can be picked up and carried with you from any field or career you choose to any other. Some transferable skills are communication, writing, organising, speaking, leadership, teamwork, analytical, or problem-solving skills, but there are many more. By identifying your transferable skills you will help yourself to highlight key areas of personal expertise. These will help you find a job that best suits your existing skills set and works along side the areas that appeal to you most.

Top

WHERE do you want to find yourself? Deciding on the occupation and the field that suits you.

Once you have figured out whether you enjoy working with people, data or things best, you can start looking into the type of occupation and field that attracts you - basically, in whichever area you want to contribute your strengths to.

While the list is by no means inclusive (there are many new areas that you can explore, or even invent your own!) occupations generally fall under the following categories:

• Executives, Administrators, Managers
• Engineers, Surveyors, Architects
• Natural Scientists, Mathematicians
• Social Scientists, Social Workers, Religious workers
• Lawyers, Advisors, Activists
• Teachers, Counsellors, Librarians, Archivists
• Health Diagnosing and Treating Practitioners (Doctors, Surgeons etc)
• Registered nurses, Pharmacists, Dieticians, Physician Assistants
• Psychotherapists, Massage Therapists, Complementary Therapies
• Computer Coders and Programmers
• Technologists and Technicians
•  Writers, Artists, Entertainers
• Marketing, Sales
• Administrative support, Clerks
• Service personnel
• Agricultural, Forestry, Fishing occupations
• Mechanics, Repair workers
• Construction, Extractive workers
• Production workers
• Transportation, Material Moving workers
• Handlers, Equipment Cleaners, Helpers, Labourers
• And so many more?

There are a few other questions you may want to ask yourself to help you find the field that is best suited to you. Start making a list now, so you can look more in-depth into different occupations when you need to later.

• What are your favourite hobbies or interests?
• What do you love to talk about, find out about?
• What articles in the newspapers or magazines would you prefer to read about?
• What kinds of books attract you in bookstores or libraries?
• Which websites do you frequently visit?
• What TV programmes interest you most?

Top

HOW do you take that knowledge and pursue organisations or companies that interest you most?

Once you are on the lookout for that career, there are things you need to know and tips you should remember to help.

There are a number of ways that will help your job search will run more smoothly and seem less difficult:

• This is serious - treat your job-hunt as though it were a full-time job. If you don't focus all your energies on the search, your chances are much less likely that you will succeed.
• Get support - build your supportive network amongst people you know. This could be your mate, partner, parent, grandparent, sibling or best friend.
• Use your network - let all your contacts know that you are in the market, and what you are looking for. By having many eyes and ears open, you'll have a better chance at getting to know about job opportunities.
• Don't wait for the ad - be proactive about companies that interest you. On occasion, companies might not advertise but could be interested in someone who has taken the time to research the firm and has searched them out.
• Go there - visit the places and companies that interest you. Always be professional when you do -  any contact may be a first impression.
• Be flexible - sometimes a part-time or short-term job can turn into a full and longer-term employment opportunity. Be willing to look for different options, including part-time, temporary or contract jobs with your targeted company.
  
• Don't put "all your eggs in one basket" - look at other options and companies just in case your first choice doesn't work as your originally planned.
• Don't give up - rejection is a normal part of the job search process. Don't take it personally and keep pursuing your goal.

Find out more information at the following sites:

Plan My Career - gives you economic and labour market information, and more working information
Join the Civil Service - find out more about opportunities in the Civil Service


Top