Focus
on Options
Focusing on a selection of
career opportunities
Graduates are often surprised to find that there is no one ideal job for them. Not only can they do a variety of jobs - they can do many well and enjoy them. On the other hand, no matter how flexible we are, the old adage of square pegs and round holes still has a ring of truth to it.
So, how do you narrow down the options to a realistic and manageable number?
Do your characteristics (skills, interests, motivations, temperament etc) fit with the requirements / characteristics of certain jobs?
Are there some jobs you should avoid?
The more you learn about jobs from reading, talking to people or hands-on work experience, the more discerning you become in identifying positive connections and negative mismatches.
Completing the
exercise below will
help you to focus on job areas which are most likely to interest you.
Don't expect to find a perfect match. For most there isn't just one type
of work which is suitable - there may well be several.
| ACTIVITY My Characteristics |
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Complete this activity online using Word |
Download this activity using Adobe Acrobat |
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Rather than trying to pinpoint the perfect job, look for themes.
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For a few weeks, browse through job advertisements in the press, put a circle round those which appeal to you and mark a cross against those which don't.
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Review this regularly to see if any broad patterns emerge. For example, do you automatically favour jobs which involve problem-solving or dealing with people and instantly discard those which require persuasive skills or working in the money markets?
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Use this computer assisted guidance system (available online) to identify key factors about yourself which may influence career choice.
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The system will also generate job ideas.
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It doesn't tell you what you should do but it will try to identify jobs which have some resonance with your assessment of your skills, interests and values.
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Talk over your ideas with people who are both objective and supportive….family, friends, your careers adviser. This "sounding board" approach may help clarify your career ideas.
Next
Making Decisions
A
brief look at decision-making, including an activity to help you weigh up
the pros and cons of options.
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