You Like Things Exactly The Way They Are
You have no career aspirations and youre totally okay with it. Youre not exactly proud of it, but youre happy with your life.
The only time youre bothered by it is when other people start to question your life choicesas if youre wasting your time or as if youre just lazy.
For some people, they find it disconcerting when some people are actually content with less. Some even find it a threatan insult. If Im working my ass off, why arent they?
But youre actually happy that although your career is so-so, you have a lot of other things going onyou have a happy family life, you are enjoying your hobbies, you can rest anytime you want.
You, my friend, are one lucky chap.
What to do:
Learn to be okay with your choices.
Dont be bothered by what other people think. As long as youre earning okay and youre not bothering anybody, there is no need to keep upgrading your life.
Overcoming Obstacles To Career Fulfillment
Its always challenging to consider a huge change in your life, and there may be many reasons why you think changing careers is not possible. Here are some common obstacles with tips on how to overcome them:
Its too much work to change careers. Where would I ever begin? Changing careers does require a substantial time investment. However, remember that it does not happen all at once. If you sit down and map out a rough plan of attack, breaking down larger tasks into smaller ones, it is a lot more manageable than you think. And if the payoff is a happier, more successful career, its worth it.
Im too old to change careers. I need to stay where I am. If you have worked for a number of years, you may feel that youve put too much time and effort into your career to change midstream. Or you may be concerned about retirement and health benefits. However, the more youve worked, the more likely you are to have skills that can transfer to a new career. Even if you are close to receiving a pension or other benefits, you can start to plan now for a career transition after retirement.
Wear Your Confidence On Your Sleeve
Be confident about your change in career. Have a convincing story about the reason for the change and why you are the best fit for your new role. Work experience is never irrelevant. Theres a learning and a takeaway from every opportunity.
Transferable skills make a career change resume look good. A great way to identify your transferable skills is to check if your experience aligns with the skills needed for the job.
Also Check: Career One Stop Interest Assessment
Unsure What To Do After School
Five learners share how they chose what to do after school – and how it worked 1.35 mins.
Amy: Obviously coming out of school is a big step. Let alone leaving your friends or family you have to decide what to do with the rest of your life.
TC: I think you need to weigh up your options and see how things are playing out in your life.
Shevaun: Don’t be pressured into studying especially if you dont know what you want to study.
Shannon: You can always take a gap year taking a year off can always get you to think about the opportunities available to you and who knows, you might even miss school. I definitely did.
Amy: You’re gonna make a lot of mistakes, youre gonna go down one path and its not going to work out but dont just get in a slump, just think, OK, that didnt work, let’s go this way instead and see what happens down that road.
TC: You just gotta make sure that you gonna end up living a life that you think is gonna keep you happy whether it be staying where you are or studying, travelling.
Shevaun: I travelled once I left school and I really enjoyed it, the experiences, seeing different countries and how different they are from New Zealand.
Francis: Find a lot of people who have left school and just talk to them as much as you can and youll probably get a few different ideas off of them.
Amy: Your life is full of trial and error at this age and you just got to roll with it.
What To Do If No Career Interests Me 13 Helpful Tips For You
Making a career is the most difficult time of life as one has to finally decide a way that satisfies a person and helps him or her establish a great future ahead.
Many students have dreams right from the senior classes and many of them are always there who remain confuse whole school time of what to do in future.
Deciding the future career starts right from plus one and plus two class as it demands for the particular subjects to be chosen like either go for science, arts or commerce.
There are many students who fail to decide the stream and their brain as well as interest wanders here and there looking for the thing that interests them.
Also Check: Career Technical Schools In Ohio
Get Support And Information From Others
While you can glean a lot of information from research and quizzes, theres no substitute for information from someone currently working in your chosen career. Talking to someone in the field gives you a real sense of the type of work you will actually be doing and if it meets your expectations. Whats more, you will start to build connections in your new career area, helping you land a job in the future.
Does approaching others like this seem intimidating? It doesnt have to be. Networking and informational interviewing are important skills that can greatly further your career.
You may also consider career counseling or a job coach, especially if you are considering a major career shift. Sometimes impartial advice from others can open up possibilities you hadnt considered.
Youre Actually Too Ambitious
While this might seem quite unexpected at first, a surplus of ambition holding one back is actually true for many.
Some people get demotivated simply because theyre too idealistic and their goals feel so far out of reach that its pointless to even try.
Perhaps they would dream of coming up with a big invention or be a world-famous superstar. How does one even begin to make that happen?
If this is you, then it would seem like you simply have no career aspirations at the surface. Truth is, however, that you simply have your sights set really high, and the sheer gap has intimidated you into inaction.
What to do:
Stay ambitious! But do remember to break down your big goals into smaller, easily-achievable milestones. Take it one step at a time.
Another thing you can do is delegate tasks. You need not be alone in your ambitionhire someone else to help you out when you need to.
You May Like: Career Page Design For Website
Look For A Role Model
Finding a role model can help you identify a career path that you feel proud of. If you don’t have a role model yet, consider finding a prominent public individual that you can look up to as an example in your career. You can also seek successful individuals that you have encountered personally or professionally. You may be able to model your path to reflect your role model’s career, or you could ask them for advice.
Related:Q& A: What Makes a Good Professional Role Model?
What Should I Do If No Career Interests Me
If a person fails to build interest in anything, then it is for sure not termed as his or her weakness, it is just lack of finding his or her inner self.
It is also one of the facts that now-a-days there are many streams and a person gets confused of what to opt and what not.
There are some of the points that could be helpful for the person to select the final career path. Try and follow some of the given tricks or points:
Also Check: Business Management & Administration Career Cluster
You Think Building A Career Is Tediousso You Procrastinate
Maybe youre stuck because when you think of career, you automatically think hard work and hard work is not something youre willing to spend your time on.
Its not that youre lazy, not really.
Its just that youve seen or heard things that made you lose interest in the idea of building a career. Perhaps youve seen people ruin their lives or relationships trying to build a career.
Or maybe you see your boss sucking up or doing corrupt and underhanded things just to get ahead, and you dont think you can stomach doing that too.
And maybe you also dont know where to start, or how to start, and all of that just makes it too much for you to deal with.
Perhaps you had been building a career but had decided that it was too stressful to keep going so you decided to be content with what you had instead.
What to do:
Perhaps your problem might lie in having a poor work-life balance, in which case trying to set up a good compromise between your work and your personal life is important. Dont be afraid to ask for help from friends and colleagues.
Think of the things that hard work and a good career will give you access to, from social opportunities to luxuries and most of allsecurity. Remind yourself of these rewards.
Make decently spaced-out milestones and treat yourself every time you reach one of them. Go with whatever you fancy, may it be a brand new iPhone or simply a tub of ice cream.
Why Is It Important To Have A Career Goal
Having a career goal is the first step toward achieving your dreams and moving along your chosen career path.
So if you dont know what you want to do when it comes to working, then theres no way that youll ever be able to achieve anything specific.
Learning about other career paths and finding one that interests you is the key to unlocking your potential.
But if you dont know what you want to do, then its very possible that youll only be able to settle for jobs that have low career satisfaction.
If this ends up being the case, then thats also totally okay. You can always work towards changing your career direction within your current job later on.
Why is it so important to have a career goal?
- It motivates you to learn a lot , which will contribute to your professional and personal growth
- You have something to look forward to, which will help you feel positive and excited about what lies ahead
- It will show others that you have short-term and long-term plans and ambitions, which is a great way to increase your chances of getting a promotion.
- If you achieve your goal, you can get a higher salary, which is a great financial motivator
- You can grow along with your career goals, which will help you reach your maximum potential
- You wont have to keep worrying about what to do with your life.
- And on top of that, youll become more confident while working towards your career goals.
Recommended Reading: Career Technical Institute Washington Dc
Consider What Experience You Have And Use It To Build Your Resume
Just because you have not been working your way up the career ladder in a profession does not mean that you do not have useful and transferable skills. Think about the jobs you have had, each one of them will have given you something back. Even if you have just been doing data entry or flipping burgers, you will have learned the value of time management, professionalism and a whole host of other necessary skillsthat you can apply in your future career.
If you have not been working the chances are that you have learned something. Were you looking after a sick relative? You probably had to advocate on their behalf to insurance and health care providers. Did you raise a family? Chances are that you were involved in some type of voluntary work through the PTA or church, what did you learn from those experiences? Did you do some form of bookkeeping or perhaps event planning?
We are not suggesting you pad your resume, firstly because that would be wrong and secondly because recruiters see through such tricks far more easily than you might imagine. What we are saying, however, is dont dismiss your skills just because you may have learned them in a less than orthodox manner.
Is It Ok To Not Have A Career Plan
While not having career goals may seem a little lacking, its important to remember that its OK to not have a plan.
We advocate for setting at least a few goals at the beginning of a new career path.
However, we dont think its necessary to have one specific long-term goal or objective in mind before diving in.
If youre feeling lost and unfulfilled at work, take these tips to heart. They may spark a desire to make some changes.
And if you dont have a career plan, thats okay. Just remember that its important to keep an open mind and give yourself time to figure it out.
So keep working towards being happy with your career, even if you dont have any particular goals in mind.
Don’t Miss: Virginia Beach Technical And Career Education Center
Nobody Knows What They’re Doing
Everyone is slipping and sliding their way through life. Everyone you see on the street is on that icy pavement with you. Nobody knows what in the world they’re doing.
Think about it. How much of life can anyone be absolutely certain of?
Beyond the sun rising in the mornings, beyond your house still standing when you come home from work, how much are you 100% sure of?
Do you know exactly how your day is going to go? Are you sure of what mood your friend will be in when you walk into the café to meet them? When you open your e-mail inbox, are you confident of what messages you’ll find, and from who?
Connect With Your Network
Even if you don’t have a career, you still have a network. Your network may include friends, family members, neighbors, previous coworkers or professors and other students you went to school with. Let your network know that you want to establish yourself in a career and see if they have any leads for positions you may qualify for.
Related: 7 Networking Tips for Getting a Job
Read Also: Best Free Career Aptitude Test
Talk To A Career Coach
Booking a session with a career coach could also help you pick the right career. A coach opens your eyes to things you might be missing and help you understand yourself better. Making the most of your professional and personal potential is possible with the advice you get.
In turn, youll understand what you like to do and dispel myths that hold you back. Coaches also look at what fascinates you, which may be the key to finding the perfect career.
Take Classes And Learn New Skills
Listen, some of the best career opportunities come from learning a new skill and also learning how to apply that skill in a completely different career field.
This can be done through a variety of methods, including online classes, short-term workshops, or relevant side projects that can be applied to your desired field.
Taking classes will help you explore new interests, build new skills, and find out what types of careers are a better fit for you.
Itll also help you build a strong résumé and impress potential employers making it easier for you to get a job in any field you want.
And if you dont know where to start, there are plenty of online tools to help you find classes in your area.
Make sure to choose something that sparks your interest, too, not just something that pays well.
Recommended Reading: What Career Cluster Does Cosmetology Fall Under
Its Not Just About You
In your 20s, it was easy to hop from job to job without a second thought. But now, you may have to lean on your spouse or partner as you make the switch. You should consult them before making any big decisions.
These considerations might make you more risk averse. They hold many people from taking the plunge. Just remember, not doing anything, feeling that your work and values are misaligned or that youre wasting your life thats a risk with real costs as well.
Be Willing To Take On An Entry
Many hiring managers may insist that you begin as an entry-level employee before they’ll promote you or offer you lateral moves toward other career paths. With the right level of commitment, you can move up in a company and build your career there for the long haul.
Related: 15 Entry-Level Jobs That Pay Well
Don’t Miss: Tri Business & Career Training Center
Make Yourself Aware Of The Possibilities
Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life. Confucius
Many preferred the traditional linear career path. It was the path of least resistance. I will stay at my job until I get promoted. It did not take much research. While everyone did not achieve the end goal of a promotion, it was evident what it was.
In the new workplace reality, you must investigate and vet possible opportunities. You also need to let others know you are open to new possibilities. It may be easy within a small company. However, in large global enterprises, effectively tapping into information becomes essential.
Without proactive research and conversations with leaders, it is not possible to be aware of the possibilities. One may align with your broad aspirations or be a stepping stone. Cultivating an extensive network, both inside and outside your company provides you with visibility into areas of the business. Otherwise, these areas may be opaque to you. This activity is essential.
