“What do you want to do?”

Throughout your time at school and maybe even far beyond it this simple question can become a nagging one if you don’t know the answer.

Many people know from an early age exactly what they want to do. But many of us struggle to bring our dream job into focus.

To help you embrace the type of career that is best suited to you, here are some tips to help you choose wisely and land that dream job.

Identify what you’re good at 

Every person has a natural tendency toward certain behaviours. We all know someone who is sporty, caring, or good at leading.

While these behaviours aren’t exclusive to any particular job, they can help guide people into an area of expertise that may suit their personality, or at least give them an idea of what they could do.

If you have a strong drive to help others, a career in medicine, nursing, teaching or hospitality might suit you. 

On the other hand, if you like making plans or are very organised, that could point you toward something like a military career or project management.

Make a list of all the things you’re good at and the things you enjoy. This will help you identify the types of career paths that might be best for you.

Do your research 

When you’ve settled on a few potential ideas for career paths to follow, it’s wise to do some thorough research so you can find out about certain career factors like career advancement, average salaries and reputable companies you might want to one day work for.

This is why attending careers expos and seminars is so helpful. 

You can speak to industry professionals and people that were once in your position so you can learn from what they have done to excel in their chosen careers.

Don’t rush your decision

While it is important to get into the workforce after school, it is also vital that you are invested in developing your career to its fullest potential, making it a dream rather than a nightmare.

It is perfectly okay to try different careers before deciding. Plenty of people will change careers at least four or five times in their lifetime. 

So don’t rush, but make sure you make an informed decision and you’re willing to give it a good go.

You might even consider taking a gap year or seeking further study before making a decision on your career path after school and that is also perfectly okay. 

In the long run – taking your time to decide will help you make the most informed decision. 

Enjoy the ride 

The phrase “do what you love” is a great sentiment, but there’s one part missing – “and work hard.”

Many people have aspirations for their dream job but don’t know the reality of following its challenging path. 

But just remember – every successful person started at the bottom and worked their way up. And while success is never guaranteed, if you are pursuing a career you enjoy, the work can be its own reward no matter what. 

Work on identifying your strengths, research your options and take your time. If you’ve made it to the end of this, you’re definitely on your way towards your dream job.