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What are some thing i can do to get my career started or at least lined up?
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11 answers
Updated
Kevin’s Answer
Zhanyah,
Great question, I would first start with asking yourself a few questions
- What do you feel most passionate or happy doing?
- What interests you the most?
- What impact do you want to have on others ( world, community, etc).
Depending on the answers, then I would decide what industries, companies, job titles would allow you to accomplish the answers to the things you mentioned above.
Then I would try to understand what skills I may need to learn and how to get them.
Internships are a great way to test out the different careers out there and get a feel for different companies and industries. I did a lot of internships while I was in school.
Lastly, I would encourage you to be kind to yourself, you wont have all the answers and you may even change careers a few times before you find one that you decide to stick with ( I did 3x). That is normal, enjoy the process and learn as much as much as you can along the way.
Great question, I would first start with asking yourself a few questions
- What do you feel most passionate or happy doing?
- What interests you the most?
- What impact do you want to have on others ( world, community, etc).
Depending on the answers, then I would decide what industries, companies, job titles would allow you to accomplish the answers to the things you mentioned above.
Then I would try to understand what skills I may need to learn and how to get them.
Internships are a great way to test out the different careers out there and get a feel for different companies and industries. I did a lot of internships while I was in school.
Lastly, I would encourage you to be kind to yourself, you wont have all the answers and you may even change careers a few times before you find one that you decide to stick with ( I did 3x). That is normal, enjoy the process and learn as much as much as you can along the way.
Updated
Jesse’s Answer
To get your career started or lined up, you should focus on building relevant skills, gaining experience, and establishing a professional network. Here are some steps to help you prepare for your desired career:
1. Identify your interests and goals: Determine the fields and industries that interest you, and research potential job roles within those areas. Consider factors like job growth, salary expectations, required skills, and the day-to-day responsibilities of the role.
2. Pursue relevant education: Depending on your desired career, you may need to complete a specific degree, certification, or training program. Research the educational requirements for your target job and plan your education accordingly.
3. Develop in-demand skills: Identify the skills that are highly valued in your chosen field, and work on developing them. These may include technical skills, such as programming languages or software proficiency, as well as soft skills, like communication, teamwork, and problem-solving.
4. Gain practical experience: Look for opportunities to gain hands-on experience in your field, such as internships, co-op programs, part-time jobs, or volunteer work. These experiences can help you build your skills, make connections, and enhance your resume.
5. Build a portfolio: If your chosen field requires showcasing your work, create a portfolio that highlights your skills and accomplishments. This can include projects from school, internships, or personal projects.
6. Network: Establish and maintain connections with professionals in your desired field. Attend networking events, join relevant clubs or organizations, and use platforms like LinkedIn to connect with people who can offer guidance, advice, or job opportunities.
7. Create a professional online presence: Ensure your social media profiles are professional and up-to-date, as employers often research candidates online. Optimize your LinkedIn profile with relevant skills, experiences, and a summary that reflects your career goals.
8. Prepare for job applications: Write a strong resume and cover letter that highlight your skills, experiences, and achievements. Tailor your application materials for each job you apply to, focusing on the requirements listed in the job description.
9. Practice interview skills: Prepare for job interviews by researching common interview questions, practicing your responses, and developing your own questions to ask the interviewer. Conduct mock interviews with friends or career counselors to gain confidence and receive feedback.
10. Stay informed: Keep up-to-date with industry news, trends, and developments in your chosen field. This can help you identify new opportunities, stay competitive, and demonstrate your commitment to potential employers.
11. Be persistent: Breaking into a new career can take time and persistence. Continue to refine your skills, pursue opportunities, and network with professionals in your field. Stay positive and focused on your goals, and be open to feedback and learning from your experiences.
By following these steps, you can prepare yourself for a successful career and increase your chances of securing a job in your chosen field. Remember that career development is an ongoing process, so continue to invest in yourself and adapt to new challenges and opportunities as they arise :)
1. Identify your interests and goals: Determine the fields and industries that interest you, and research potential job roles within those areas. Consider factors like job growth, salary expectations, required skills, and the day-to-day responsibilities of the role.
2. Pursue relevant education: Depending on your desired career, you may need to complete a specific degree, certification, or training program. Research the educational requirements for your target job and plan your education accordingly.
3. Develop in-demand skills: Identify the skills that are highly valued in your chosen field, and work on developing them. These may include technical skills, such as programming languages or software proficiency, as well as soft skills, like communication, teamwork, and problem-solving.
4. Gain practical experience: Look for opportunities to gain hands-on experience in your field, such as internships, co-op programs, part-time jobs, or volunteer work. These experiences can help you build your skills, make connections, and enhance your resume.
5. Build a portfolio: If your chosen field requires showcasing your work, create a portfolio that highlights your skills and accomplishments. This can include projects from school, internships, or personal projects.
6. Network: Establish and maintain connections with professionals in your desired field. Attend networking events, join relevant clubs or organizations, and use platforms like LinkedIn to connect with people who can offer guidance, advice, or job opportunities.
7. Create a professional online presence: Ensure your social media profiles are professional and up-to-date, as employers often research candidates online. Optimize your LinkedIn profile with relevant skills, experiences, and a summary that reflects your career goals.
8. Prepare for job applications: Write a strong resume and cover letter that highlight your skills, experiences, and achievements. Tailor your application materials for each job you apply to, focusing on the requirements listed in the job description.
9. Practice interview skills: Prepare for job interviews by researching common interview questions, practicing your responses, and developing your own questions to ask the interviewer. Conduct mock interviews with friends or career counselors to gain confidence and receive feedback.
10. Stay informed: Keep up-to-date with industry news, trends, and developments in your chosen field. This can help you identify new opportunities, stay competitive, and demonstrate your commitment to potential employers.
11. Be persistent: Breaking into a new career can take time and persistence. Continue to refine your skills, pursue opportunities, and network with professionals in your field. Stay positive and focused on your goals, and be open to feedback and learning from your experiences.
By following these steps, you can prepare yourself for a successful career and increase your chances of securing a job in your chosen field. Remember that career development is an ongoing process, so continue to invest in yourself and adapt to new challenges and opportunities as they arise :)
Updated
Alvaro’s Answer
Hello Zhanyah! 😊
I want to share something with you that genuinely made a huge difference in kickstarting my career. While I was still studying, I found that internships and part-time jobs were game-changers in helping me break into the industry!
By doing this, I got an exciting sneak peek into my chosen field, was able to explore the areas that truly sparked my passion, and practically built up my experience. The best part? I also ended up creating a fantastic résumé that showcased all my hard work and prepared me well for life after graduation!
So, stay positive and take advantage of every opportunity you come across! Trust me, you'll find immense value in these experiences and feel genuinely excited for the journey ahead.
Wishing you all the best in your endeavors! 🌟
Warm regards,
Alvaro
I want to share something with you that genuinely made a huge difference in kickstarting my career. While I was still studying, I found that internships and part-time jobs were game-changers in helping me break into the industry!
By doing this, I got an exciting sneak peek into my chosen field, was able to explore the areas that truly sparked my passion, and practically built up my experience. The best part? I also ended up creating a fantastic résumé that showcased all my hard work and prepared me well for life after graduation!
So, stay positive and take advantage of every opportunity you come across! Trust me, you'll find immense value in these experiences and feel genuinely excited for the journey ahead.
Wishing you all the best in your endeavors! 🌟
Warm regards,
Alvaro
Updated
Maire’s Answer
Hi Zhanyah,
I actually ended up in a career that was completely different to what I thought I would end up doing and what I studied in college. I was working part-time in a local video rental store when I completed my Masters, we had just entered a recession so there were very few opportunities. While I was immensely grateful to have any job at all I was extremely eager to start a career, get into full time employment and do something a little bit more meaningful.
I got approached for an opportunity in an area I knew very little about (executive recruitment), however, I was immediately intrigued and after finding out more about the role and meeting the people who worked at the company I was sold that this was a great first step onto the career ladder - thankfully I got the job! While I had to learn a lot of the required skills & technical knowledge from the ground up, I approached it with an eagerness to learn and my soft skills matched the role perfectly.
What is the point in sharing this story with you and how does it answer your question? Well, I would recommend you keep an open mind as to what that first step in your career might look like. Maybe it's not an obvious initial fit but would it provide you with some of what your looking to get out of starting your career? Think about what's important to you in your first role, what are your values and look for opportunities and companies that tick those boxes. Sometimes a career ladder isn't necessarily straight up!
So excited for you as you start your career, best of luck!
Maire
I actually ended up in a career that was completely different to what I thought I would end up doing and what I studied in college. I was working part-time in a local video rental store when I completed my Masters, we had just entered a recession so there were very few opportunities. While I was immensely grateful to have any job at all I was extremely eager to start a career, get into full time employment and do something a little bit more meaningful.
I got approached for an opportunity in an area I knew very little about (executive recruitment), however, I was immediately intrigued and after finding out more about the role and meeting the people who worked at the company I was sold that this was a great first step onto the career ladder - thankfully I got the job! While I had to learn a lot of the required skills & technical knowledge from the ground up, I approached it with an eagerness to learn and my soft skills matched the role perfectly.
What is the point in sharing this story with you and how does it answer your question? Well, I would recommend you keep an open mind as to what that first step in your career might look like. Maybe it's not an obvious initial fit but would it provide you with some of what your looking to get out of starting your career? Think about what's important to you in your first role, what are your values and look for opportunities and companies that tick those boxes. Sometimes a career ladder isn't necessarily straight up!
So excited for you as you start your career, best of luck!
Maire
Updated
Dery’s Answer
with pleasure! Here are some tips to get you started or at least prepare for your professional career:
Identify your interests and skills: Think about what you enjoy doing and what you are good at. This will help you narrow down the options of possible careers that are right for you.
Research Possible Career Options: Once you've identified your interests and skills, research the different careers that align with them. Look up job descriptions, qualification requirements, and possible salary ranges.
Network: Connect with professionals in the industry you want to work in and attend networking events to network and learn more about possible careers.
Gain experience: Look for opportunities to gain experience in the field that interests you, such as internships or part-time jobs. This can help you develop skills and make you a more competitive candidate for future job opportunities.
Create a resume and portfolio: Create a strong resume and portfolio that showcases your skills and experience. This will help you stand out against possible uses.
Identify your interests and skills: Think about what you enjoy doing and what you are good at. This will help you narrow down the options of possible careers that are right for you.
Research Possible Career Options: Once you've identified your interests and skills, research the different careers that align with them. Look up job descriptions, qualification requirements, and possible salary ranges.
Network: Connect with professionals in the industry you want to work in and attend networking events to network and learn more about possible careers.
Gain experience: Look for opportunities to gain experience in the field that interests you, such as internships or part-time jobs. This can help you develop skills and make you a more competitive candidate for future job opportunities.
Create a resume and portfolio: Create a strong resume and portfolio that showcases your skills and experience. This will help you stand out against possible uses.
Updated
Hormuzd’s Answer
Hi Zhanyah,
All of the responses above should give you some insight on the next steps. To me NETWORKING NETWORKING & NETWORKING is the most crucial aspect to start your career. If you have not done so, please join LinkedIn. It is a great resource to network and look for jobs.
Best of luck
Hormuzd
All of the responses above should give you some insight on the next steps. To me NETWORKING NETWORKING & NETWORKING is the most crucial aspect to start your career. If you have not done so, please join LinkedIn. It is a great resource to network and look for jobs.
Best of luck
Hormuzd
Updated
Brent’s Answer
Hello Zhanyah,
There's some great responses here so I'll keep this short, sharp and sweet.
It's a very exciting time to be looking to carve out a path for your career. As many people mentioned above there will be a some trial and error, that learning process is a good thing to work out WHAT YOU enjoy doing.
I've personally worked in sales, account management and leadership and all were rewarding (and what I wanted to experienced changed throughout the years).
Small steps I made that helped me decide:
- Internships
- Seeing what is available in the job market (LinkedIn is brilliant for this, save jobs) and make a list of your favs (I wrote all the open jobs I liked the look of and stuck them on my wall)
- Connect with recruiting agencies who will run you through potential roles available
TLDR - it's natural to not be 100% sure. Enjoy the ride.
There's some great responses here so I'll keep this short, sharp and sweet.
It's a very exciting time to be looking to carve out a path for your career. As many people mentioned above there will be a some trial and error, that learning process is a good thing to work out WHAT YOU enjoy doing.
I've personally worked in sales, account management and leadership and all were rewarding (and what I wanted to experienced changed throughout the years).
Small steps I made that helped me decide:
- Internships
- Seeing what is available in the job market (LinkedIn is brilliant for this, save jobs) and make a list of your favs (I wrote all the open jobs I liked the look of and stuck them on my wall)
- Connect with recruiting agencies who will run you through potential roles available
TLDR - it's natural to not be 100% sure. Enjoy the ride.
Updated
Felix’s Answer
Hey Zhanyah, there are many things you can do to get your career started! First and foremost, I'd recommend understanding the field(s) of work that you'd like to enter. I would highly recommend a tool such as LinkedIn to help you get started on your networking and discovery journey.
Through a platform like LinkedIn, you can use the 'jobs' tab to research roles that you like the sound of, the requirements of the role (e.g. the experience the company is asking for), as well as the roles and responsibilities that the job would consist of. By doing this kind of research on the types of roles that you'd enjoy, and the different companies you'd like to work for in the future, you can set yourself some goals and aspirations.
So that's the research piece, but another thing you could do to get your career started is to make sure that you are showing your professional profile in the best light. That means organizing a resume that has all of your professional experience if you have any, as well as information about your Qualifications, Education, and strengths that you can bring to your next company. You could make sure that your LinkedIn profile also has the same information that is up to date.
Once you have gathered your past experience and have crafted somewhat of a professional profile or portfolio, that's when you can start networking with any contacts in your chosen fields. You could find those contacts through school, university, family and friends, or online through your research. A good networking activity might be to send a well-written email to your contact, attach your resume, let them know your aspirations, and share how you could be an asset to their team.
You can develop a strong network by continuing to stay in contact with those folk, keeping them updated on your professional achievements and accolades. By staying consistent with your networking activities, keeping your LinkedIn up to date and continuously growing your skillset and resume, you'll keep yourself in the running for future jobs, even if there are no open positions right now!
It can be tough starting out in the working world, but try and be consistent and disciplined when applying for jobs and networking, and I'm sure you'll have heaps of success!
Through a platform like LinkedIn, you can use the 'jobs' tab to research roles that you like the sound of, the requirements of the role (e.g. the experience the company is asking for), as well as the roles and responsibilities that the job would consist of. By doing this kind of research on the types of roles that you'd enjoy, and the different companies you'd like to work for in the future, you can set yourself some goals and aspirations.
So that's the research piece, but another thing you could do to get your career started is to make sure that you are showing your professional profile in the best light. That means organizing a resume that has all of your professional experience if you have any, as well as information about your Qualifications, Education, and strengths that you can bring to your next company. You could make sure that your LinkedIn profile also has the same information that is up to date.
Once you have gathered your past experience and have crafted somewhat of a professional profile or portfolio, that's when you can start networking with any contacts in your chosen fields. You could find those contacts through school, university, family and friends, or online through your research. A good networking activity might be to send a well-written email to your contact, attach your resume, let them know your aspirations, and share how you could be an asset to their team.
You can develop a strong network by continuing to stay in contact with those folk, keeping them updated on your professional achievements and accolades. By staying consistent with your networking activities, keeping your LinkedIn up to date and continuously growing your skillset and resume, you'll keep yourself in the running for future jobs, even if there are no open positions right now!
It can be tough starting out in the working world, but try and be consistent and disciplined when applying for jobs and networking, and I'm sure you'll have heaps of success!
Updated
ANDI’s Answer
I'd start with a Career Aptitude Test... a test that helps you hone in on your areas of skill and/or interest. A test like this can show you which fields may best suit you and may begin to steer you in the right direction.
A second step would be to take the "year off" after graduation to explore a few entry level jobs before deciding which field to jump into college or trade school for, or before going straight into the "real" work force or military.
If you are truly lost, a third option may to be to speak with a military recruiter and/or to take the ASVAB which is just a Career Aptitude Test for the military that helps them decide which jobs you qualify for before enlistment. The military has a plethora of options ranging from aircraft and vehicle maintenance, to dental hygenists, to cooks, to cryptologists, to xray techs. A simple 4-yr contract may give you the aid you need to attend college afterwards or drive you towards a career field you choose.
A second step would be to take the "year off" after graduation to explore a few entry level jobs before deciding which field to jump into college or trade school for, or before going straight into the "real" work force or military.
If you are truly lost, a third option may to be to speak with a military recruiter and/or to take the ASVAB which is just a Career Aptitude Test for the military that helps them decide which jobs you qualify for before enlistment. The military has a plethora of options ranging from aircraft and vehicle maintenance, to dental hygenists, to cooks, to cryptologists, to xray techs. A simple 4-yr contract may give you the aid you need to attend college afterwards or drive you towards a career field you choose.
Updated
Gela Mae’s Answer
Start small ,start with the basic . Then do progression like go to trainings or seminars ,or accept tasks in higher difficulty. Trained your mind and heart to learn every ladder of your career. Stick with your career grow old with it 😁
All the best ! Hope it helps
Lastly, do not be discouraged, treat every criticisms as constructive.
All the best ! Hope it helps
Lastly, do not be discouraged, treat every criticisms as constructive.
Updated
Josefina’s Answer
Hello Zhanyah,
Your question is very valid and one I have had myself ! I think it’s very important to give yourself the space and time to explore what fields interest you.
Designing a career can be a lot of trial and error as you discover the things you enjoy and do not enjoy as much. It does not have to be a one set and done thing but something you can continually evaluate and change as your interests evolve and the environment around you does as well.
I was recently inspired by the book “Designing Your Life” by Bill Burnett and Dave Evans. It literally helps you design a career and life that aligns with your needs through different activities and thought pieces.
As you explore what’s out there, I recommend deciphering the jobs you do on a log: what exact task are you doing, when are you doing it, are you doing it by yourself OR with a group of people, etc. Also doing things such as analyzing how the task at hand makes you feel in terms of your energy and how it leaves you feeling after. The book I mentioned before talks about this and many other practices to help you find what you enjoy.
I’m saying this all to say, it’s important to be honest with yourself as you navigate your career path and be ok with not having it all figured out at once. It’s completely normal and things can take time sometimes.
Be patient with yourself and understand that everyone's path can be different :)
Your question is very valid and one I have had myself ! I think it’s very important to give yourself the space and time to explore what fields interest you.
Designing a career can be a lot of trial and error as you discover the things you enjoy and do not enjoy as much. It does not have to be a one set and done thing but something you can continually evaluate and change as your interests evolve and the environment around you does as well.
I was recently inspired by the book “Designing Your Life” by Bill Burnett and Dave Evans. It literally helps you design a career and life that aligns with your needs through different activities and thought pieces.
As you explore what’s out there, I recommend deciphering the jobs you do on a log: what exact task are you doing, when are you doing it, are you doing it by yourself OR with a group of people, etc. Also doing things such as analyzing how the task at hand makes you feel in terms of your energy and how it leaves you feeling after. The book I mentioned before talks about this and many other practices to help you find what you enjoy.
I’m saying this all to say, it’s important to be honest with yourself as you navigate your career path and be ok with not having it all figured out at once. It’s completely normal and things can take time sometimes.
Be patient with yourself and understand that everyone's path can be different :)