Exploring your Career Options (Part 1)

Studies show that the average person will change careers up to 5 to 8 times in their lives.  Its not uncommon for human beings to change interests and personality over the years of their lives.  As a person evolves, their career goals usually do too.  Work/Life balance is highly important for everyone.  Whether you are newly exploring career options or you have been in the same job for years and are looking for a change, there are a few important steps to take when exploring career options.

Explore your Transferable Skills
Everyone, yes everyone, has skills learned from either work experience or life experience.  Exploring these skills that can be used in different occupations is exploring your transferrable skills.  Try and make a list of all the skills that you use on a daily basis.  Examples of these skills include:  computer skills, interpersonal skills, communication skills, operating tools/machinery, etc.  Keep this list handy when you start exploring career options because you'll need to know which skills you already possess that the occupations are looking for.  You can also access internet websites to help you determine your transferrable skills.  Try one of these websites

Nextsteps.org:  http://www.nextsteps.org/career/transfer.html  (this website also provides tools for career exploration)

Transferable Trades Skills: http://www.transferableskills.ca/new/index.php (for Trades specific occupations)

Quintessential Careers: http://www.quintcareers.com/transferable_skills_set.html

Determining your Workplace Interests/Values
Its important to know your own interests and values in order to make a suitable career choice.  The reason for this is simple; if you are not interested in your work or you do not work for a company whose core values are somewhat similar to yours... you will not be happy working there.  Ensure you know what your interests and values are prior to beginning your career exploration process, it will make it that much easier to weed out the occupations that you will not be happy working in.

The following website provide mini-assessments to determine interests:

Service Canada Career Navigator and Quizzes: http://www.jobsetc.gc.ca/toolbox/quizzes/quizzes_home.do?lang=e

Now that you have determined your transferrable skills, interests and values, you are ready to explore your career options!  Stay tuned for Part 2 of our Exploring Your Career Options series.....

Sunny & Sassy

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