How to Figure Out What To Do With Your Life and Career

‘How to Figure Out What To Do With Your Life’ – searching for answers can be daunting. There is an overwhelming number of choices, but luckily there are many resources that can help narrow it down and find the perfect path.

In this blog post, we’ll walk through how to use Career, Personality and Aptitude tests as well as give advice and tips on how to discover your skills and preferences so you can gain clarity when making decisions about your life’s direction.

Whether you’re a recent graduate, a job seeker, or looking for a change in careers, this blog post, ‘How to Figure Out What To Do With Your Life’ will help lighten up the journey towards finding greater satisfaction at work!

How to Find Your Ideal Career Path?

• Identify your personal interests and passions.¹
• Reflect on your intrinsic motivation and what drives you.
• Explore different career options and gain exposure to various industries.
• Consider external factors such as salary, job opportunities, and market demand.
• Seek guidance from mentors, advisors, and professionals in your desired field.
• Assess your strengths, values, and goals to align them with potential career paths.
• Utilize career assessments and tools to gain insights into suitable career paths.
• Be open to exploring alternative career paths and non-traditional options.
• Continuously learn and develop new skills to adapt to changing job market demands.
• Network and build professional relationships to expand your opportunities.
• Consider the fit between your abilities and the demands of the job.²
• Take proactive steps in managing your career and professional development.³
• Seek a good person-environment fit to develop resilience and grit.⁴
• Learn from successful individuals in your desired field and study their career strategies.⁵

Understand your values, passions and interests 

Career fulfilment is more than just a job that pays the bills. It’s about finding a career that aligns with your values, passions, and interests.

First, take the time to understand your values by asking yourself what motivates you and what you believe in. 

Next, identify your passions and hobbies. What activities do you enjoy doing in your free time?

Finally, consider your interests. What subjects and topics do you find fascinating? 

When you identify these important aspects of yourself, you can start to explore career options that will fulfil you on a deeper level.

Take a career assessment test to get insights

Are you feeling unsure about which career path to take? Consider taking a career assessment test to gain valuable insights on your strengths, skills, and interests.

By understanding what you excel at and what motivates you, you can gain a deeper understanding of which career paths align with your strengths and passions.

A career assessment test can help you identify potential career options that you may have never considered before. Take the time to invest in your future and take a career assessment test to unlock your full potential.

How to Figure Out What To Do With Your Life and Career? Research online resources

In order to become an expert in any field, it’s important to utilize a variety of resources and gather information from multiple sources.

Online resources such as articles, research papers, and forums can also be incredibly helpful in gaining a deeper understanding of a particular topic. 

By utilizing a combination of these tips and resources, you can expand your knowledge and become a true expert in your field.

Take a personality test

Personality tests are a fantastic way to gain insight into your temperament and motives. By answering a series of questions, you can uncover more about yourself than you might have imagined.

There are a variety of different tests available, each with their own unique questions and analysis. Some may indicate if you fall into certain personality types, while others provide a report that shares how you might interact with others, what motivates you, and where your strengths and weaknesses may lie.

No matter what type of personality test you choose, you’re sure to learn something new about yourself and gain valuable insights that can help you navigate both your personal and professional life.

Participate in an aptitude test

Aptitude tests have long been used as a means of assessing an individual’s ability to learn, understand, and apply new information in a variety of settings.

When it comes to evaluating problem-solving skills, cognitive capabilities, and academic achievement abilities, aptitude tests are among the most reliable and effective tools available.

These tests are designed to measure a range of cognitive abilities, from basic academic skills to more complex concepts like critical thinking and creative problem-solving. 

Whether you are an educator looking to evaluate your students’ progress, or an individual seeking to improve your own problem-solving skills, research aptitude tests can provide valuable insights and feedback to help you reach your goals.

Create a plan based on the results of these tests

After taking tests to determine your career personality, you may be wondering what steps to take next. 

The results of these tests can provide valuable insight into your strengths, weaknesses, and ideal work environment. It’s important to create a plan based on these results, setting achievable goals and timelines.

Take Action

Finally, all that is left is to act on your findings about your values, passions, skills and abilities.

On your to-do list should be;

• Create or update your resume
• Look on job boards or recruitment agencies for job inspiration
• Upskill or reskill with an online course
• Get some work experience
• Network
• Apply for jobs
• Prepare for an interview!

By following these steps, career success is possible.

In Conclusion

Hopefully this blog post, ‘How to Figure Out What To Do With Your Life’ has been useful.

Taking the time and effort to discover your true interests and skills can be a powerful tool for creating a long lasting, fulfilling career.

The tips outlined above along with taking Career, Personality, and Aptitude tests are all great starting points to give you clarity on which path is best for you. In the end, one should always remember to use these guidance as helpful tools in understanding yourself, rather than relying solely on them to define who you are.

These tests may just offer the insights you need to get started on an exciting journey of self-discovery and success.

References

1. Kaur, H. and Kaur, R. (2020). The relationship between career adaptability and job outcomes via fit perceptions: a three-wave longitudinal study. Australian Journal of Career Development, 29(3), 196-204. https://doi.org/10.1177/1038416220935677
2. Sylva, H., Mol, S. T., Hartog, D. N. D., & Dorenbosch, L. (2019). Person-job fit and proactive career behaviour: a dynamic approach. European Journal of Work and Organizational Psychology, 28(5), 631-645. https://doi.org/10.1080/1359432x.2019.1580309
3. Sylva, H., Mol, S. T., Hartog, D. N. D., & Dorenbosch, L. (2019). Person-job fit and proactive career behaviour: a dynamic approach. European Journal of Work and Organizational Psychology, 28(5), 631-645. https://doi.org/10.1080/1359432x.2019.1580309
4. Koekemoer, E., Olckers, C., & Schaap, P. (2023). The subjective career success of women: the role of personal resources. Frontiers in Psychology, 14. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1121989
5. Akrivos, C., Ladkin, A., & Reklitis, P. (2007). Hotel managers’ career strategies for success. International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management, 19(2), 107-119. https://doi.org/10.1108/09596110710729229.