Finding the Perfect Career

When you attend a local job fair you’ll easily see that most companies are trying to lure new employees with a high salary and important benefits such as a healthy retirement plan or medical care. As a result, job seekers usually sign up with companies where they can gain the greatest financial reward or the most benefits. But are these the only criteria for a great career? Here are some things you should consider before signing that employment contract:

What are you good at?

List down your top ten skills. Include what you think you’re good at and what other people say that you’re good at. Give special attention to skills and talents that you feel are your ‘best’. Make sure to limit the list to something that most people you know cannot do, or at least they can’t do it as easily as you do. Think of the classes where you got the highest grades, as well as any special awards that you’ve gotten during your school years. While you shouldn’t limit your ideas of a perfect career on what you’re naturally good at, listing your inborn talents is a good way to start looking.

What are you passionate about?

Everybody is passionate about something. Even if you’re not sure what you’re passionate about, you should take the time to find out. You can start with your hobbies or interests or the little mundane things you do that really makes you feel inspired. Take note of which things or topics make you more curious or inspired. Whether it’s reading a good book, cooking a meal, or playing with your pets – the simplest interests can give you a hint on what kind of career you’ll love. It also helps to write a list of the things that spark your interest and think of potential careers based on that list.

What paying positions are available?

Whenever you’re planning to take on a new career, your practical side tells you to choose a career path that will pay the bills. Unless you’re lucky enough to have a substantial trust fund, you should definitely consider a career that will at least be able to supply you with your basic financial needs. If you can’t find something you love that will also give you the minimum amount of income you need, think of creative ways in which you can monetize your passions. For example, a painter can find design work or commissioned work from interior decorators or graphic design companies. Likewise, a writer can make a living from writing advertising copy or articles for magazines. If you can’t find a paying position that will give you the amount of creative freedom and growth that you want, you can work on alternatives while trying to figure out how to make a living from doing what you really want.

Simply put, the perfect career is not about getting the highest position, the best office, or the biggest salary. It’s about finding a balance in the three things that were mentioned earlier: something you’re good at, something you’re passionate about, and something that can reward you financially. Finding the perfect career can take years (or even decades). The important thing is to keep looking until you find it.