When choosing your career: think outside the box

By J&C Team

Choosing your career is one of the most important things you will do. When you’re at the stage of thinking “what do I want to do with my life?” it’s easy to be a little overwhelmed. There are so many different career paths out there, half of which you probably hadn’t heard of whilst at school or studying, so it’s important to do your research on what’s available. Don’t limit yourself to the more traditional or well-known professions that everyone wants to get into. In times like these, it’s important to think outside the box.

Even fashion magazines need accountants and sales managers

Sometimes your interests don’t match up with your skills and talents. You may have a passion for food but you’re a terrible cook, or you love music but your guitar skills aren’t good enough to make it big. Loads of people want to work for a magazine but not everyone can write. NEWSFLASH! Magazines and newspapers need finance directors, accountants and advertising managers too.

Whatever your interests, there are so many types of job in each industry that you can still work in an area that you like, whilst utilising your skills.

Don’t be fooled by a name

Not all job titles within your industry of choice will be the obvious ones that you’d expect. Job titles can be like industry jargon; they can mean absolutely nothing to someone that doesn’t know the industry. Do your research on what job titles and roles are available in your area of interest. You don’t want to limit your search results on a jobsite by typing in “Junior Scientist” when there could be many relevant jobs called “Lab Assistant” or “Clinical Support Worker”.

New job roles and titles are created all the time, especially in technology or science-based fields, so it’s also a good idea to find out what the careers of the future are.

If the front door is blocked, try another door

You may have already chosen your career path, but your dream job is notoriously difficult to get into. In this case, there are two things that you can do.

Firstly, get as much experience as you can in the area that you want to work in. Whether you get work experience, internships, part-time or freelance work, all of it can boost your CV to show relevant employers that you are interested in one specific career path.

Another thing that you could do is to look at other ways into the industry. Whether it’s working in reception for a company that you want to work at or going into a loosely related job in the same field. Build up your contacts and your experience within the industry and then you may find that the way to your goal has been made a little easier.

Show that you thought outside the box

Employers like to know that candidates for their vacancy really want their job. It doesn’t matter if you’ve worked your way around a number of different jobs within the industry before getting the interview that you wanted all along. If you land yourself an interview, explain why you made your choices and how they lead you to where you are now. Gain as much experience and as many skills as you can within the different areas of your industry, because the more you know about your industry as a whole, the more desirable you are to an employer.