Tips to find your perfect career match

Whether you're a twenty-something just starting out, or you're looking for a career change later in life, finding the right path for your career can be daunting. There are just so many options out there, so how can you know what to pursue?

Luckily, there are things you can do and people you can speak to if you are unsure where to start in finding your perfect career. Check out this gallery for some tips on how to find your perfect career match.

List your interests and skills

A good place to start in the search for your dream job is to list your interests, skills, and qualifications. If you have no direction at all, this exercise will help.

Reflect on your current job

For example, if you have a degree in communication and enjoy public speaking, you may consider a career as a PR specialist. If you are already working and are looking for a career change, it is a good idea to make a list of what you enjoy and what you don’t enjoy about your current job. T

Identify industries/Company of interest

It may be the case that your interests extend far beyond the industry that you currently work in, or had imagined you would work in. Why not make a list of all the industries that inspire and interest you? You will likely surprise yourself, and you'll definitely broaden your horizons. On a similar note, it can be a good idea to make a list of the top 10 companies you would like to work for. Once you have the list, make a note of the reasons you are attracted to each. This exercise will help you both to clarify your goals and to work out what is important to you in terms of corporate vision and values, salary, etc.

Develop mentorships

You might find it helpful to seek the help of a mentor (or two) in your preferred field. Mentors can provide advice and guidance that can be invaluable.

Work as a temp

If you don’t have anything particular in mind in terms of position, company, or field, you might find it helpful to sign up with a temp agency. Working as a temp in a number of different positions can help you discover what it is you like and dislike, and what you should be looking for in your career.

Make a search list

If you are clear on the position that you want, make a list of similar job titles that you can use when searching for vacant positions.

Take a test

Bear in mind that the same job may come with a number of different titles. Once you have your list, you can set an alert on job pages and get a notification when a vacancy pops up.

Be Proactive

If you know which job you want and the company you want to work for, don’t feel you have to wait for a job opening to appear. Be proactive and make an unsolicited application.

Take a Course

If you decide that you want to turn your hobby into a career, it can be a good idea to take a course or join a club to find out exactly what that career would entail. For example, if you know that you like fitness and think you might like to qualify as a personal trainer, you could sign up to some classes first to see what personal trainers actually do.

Take part in an internship

No matter your age or experience, internships are a great way to get work experience in a field of interest. They allow you to gain insight before making a commitment.

Make a lateral move

An option that people often forget is the lateral move, i.e. transferring from one department to another within the same company. Some companies welcome this more than others, but if you like the company you work for and just want a different role, you could talk to your HR department and see what positions are open.

Stand Strong

If you are really looking for your dream job, you shouldn’t be afraid to turn down things that aren’t quite right. Not all job offers are the perfect fit. For example, you might receive an offer for great pay and zero commute, but if the work doesn’t interest you, you may well decide to turn that offer down.

Talk to your advisor

A careers advisor or counselor will be able to help you identify your strengths and weaknesses and help you develop a plan to get you where you want to be.

Last, but not least, don’t lose heart! Getting on the right career path is not easy and it takes time. For some people, the process takes years.

Stick with it