6 Easy Steps for Beginning Career Exploration
What you will find in this blog:
- 1. Make a list of skills you enjoy
- 2. Research how those skills can transfer
- 3. Determine your work environment
- 4. List what you like and do not like about your current role
- 5. What do you want now?
- 6. What do you want in the future?
- Exploring your options
When you know you need a change in your job, but not sure where to start, a career exploration exercise can shed a lot of light.
There are various ways to complete career exploration, but starting with this simple 6-step self-reflection can be incredibly helpful.
6 steps for career exploration
1. Make a list of skills you enjoy
This could mean a lot of things. You may like your job, but not the company. Or, you may only like part of what you are doing now. Or, you may not like it at all. The trick here is to think both within your current role and outside of it. When it comes to career exploration, just reflect on everything you like to do and write it down. Even if you have never been paid for work within the skill (maybe you have some talents from a hobby), write it down.
2. Research how those skills can transfer
Get your thinking cap on and do some good ol’ fashioned research for your career exploration. Search for the skills you wrote down as they pertain to jobs. You might even put some of the skills into a job board and see if anything pops. The goal is to come up with some options based on what you like to do. Ideally you will find an option that makes you happy to go to work.
3. Determine your work environment
Not every work environment will be right for you. A big part of career exploration is determining the best work environment. Some people enjoy helping customers, while others prefer to be on the backside of operations. Some folks like an in-office setting, while others prefer hybrid or remote options. Jobs may be outdoors or indoors. Roles may require a lot of collaboration while others are more suited to independent work. Determine the work environment that is best for you and then match that up with the list of potential jobs you found.
4. List what you like and do not like about your current role
This part of the career exploration exercise is essentially creating a pros and cons list of your current role. This will help you identify aspects of any new roles that you may like or dislike. This is a very important part of career exploration, even if you think you need a complete change, stop and think about what you like and dislike.
5. What do you want now?
Consider what you want right now in your new role. This could be something as simple as a more respectful work environment, better work/life balance, or more comprehensive benefits. Alternatively, you may want to start an entirely new career. Either way, write out what you need right now to be happy in your new role.
6. What do you want in the future?
While you may feel like you just need an immediate change, you still need to think about the future. Career exploration is not about a quick fix, it is about finding the right fit long term. Is there room for growth in your new role? What does it look like in a year, or five years? Consider what you need for the future, because ideally you will not be job hunting again soon after securing a new position.
Exploring your options
Career exploration can help you narrow in on what your next step should be. It could be like your current role, but at a different organization. Or, it could be completely different, tapping new skills and a work environment that is fresh to you. Either way, this career exploration exercise can shed some light on what you want and help you select the right roles for application. If you want to take your career exploration a step further, a Strong Interest Inventory® can also help, but these six steps are a great place to start.
Want assistance with your career exploration? Connect with me to learn about custom career exploration services and packages and how I can help you find your next role.