Finding a Job That Fits Your Professional Goals

Choosing a career path is a difficult and nerve-wracking task because, at the back of your mind, there will be doubts over any field and job you pick. The possibility of wasting years of your professional life looms large when you make the decision. Although the statistics vary, it is estimated that 40% of young college graduates choose the wrong career path.

A UK study found that almost half of Britain’s workforce would prefer to change careers. It is normal for someone to switch career several times in their life. In an ideal world, you’ll find the right career without too much upheaval, and the best way to achieve this task is to find the right job for your career goals.

Does it give you a Balance between Technical Skills & Domain Knowledge?

In other words, does the job help you become a well-rounded employee? Employers want candidates with technical ability and soft skills, but the latter isn’t easy to find. They also want someone with knowledge of how their industry works. There is no point being proficient in one area of finance if you have no idea what the future of the sector holds.

Here are some examples of technical skills:

Here are some examples of soft skills:

If you want to continue climbing the career ladder in Trinidad and Tobago, you need a job that allows you to brush up on technical and soft skills. Otherwise, you’re likely to fall short in an interview for a more advanced role. Discuss the situation with your manager and find out if there is a way to strike a balance.

Is There a Chance to Grow as a Professional?

Successful people never lose their desire to develop their skills and grow as professionals; even CEOs can learn something new. An increasing number of employers are attempting to provide employees with growth opportunities in the workplace as a means of improving staff retention. They understand that talented employees won’t stay long if they continually hit their heads on a glass ceiling.

There are four main types of growth opportunities in the workplace.

Financial Growth

When most employees think about career development, they look at their potential to increase their salary. A majority of people are motivated by the possibility of more money, especially if it is tied to performance, asking your boss for a raise is always something to think about. Of course, money is not the only key to happiness in your work; if your employer offers better salary but not much else, consider moving on.

Career Growth

If you’re a highly driven individual, power and prestige are as important as money. Your job should allow you to take on greater responsibilities so you learn new skills. It doesn’t hurt if you are also rewarded with a fancy new title!

Professional Growth

Serious professionals desire the opportunity to improve in their field. In fact, job-specific training is considered the most important career benefit amongst employees.Training opportunities provide a ‘win-win’ situation; you improve at your job, and your employer benefits from a more competent employee.

You’ll know you’re at the right company if it offers different methods of enabling employees to sharpen their skills. Such methods include conferences, online courses, mentoring programs and assistance with tuition fees.

Personal Growth

A surprising number of people don’t seem to see the link between career development and personal growth. Let’s face it; most people are motivated by non-work factors. Does your employer encourage you to pursue your personal goals? Are you able to enjoy a healthy work-life balance? Flexible work schedules and the opportunity to work remotely are just two ways in which your company can encourage your Personal Growth.

Does it set the Foundation for My Long-Term Plans?

The vast majority of successful individuals have a long-term career plan in place; as well as short and medium-term plans! Indeed, ‘where do you see yourself in 5/10 years?’ is a common interview question. Recent research published by the Guardian newspaper in the UK showed that 39% of people did not plan ahead regarding goals and only 16% of employees believed their existing job was a good fit for their long-term plan.

The entire ‘job for life’ notion is outdated in the modern era as most people move from one role to the next and even one career to the next at warp speed. Effective career planning means making big plans while understanding that career development is a slow process. Every job adds to your resume, boosts your skill set and helps plan your next move.

You should identify transferable skills that make you a good hire for other roles and learn how to explain the application of these skills in an interview situation. Transferable skills are generic skills needed in a variety of roles and include negotiation and persuasion.

Consider the types of organization and industry you’re interested in; does your existing role and sector fit the bill? If it does, your next step is to find out how to make waves at your company and climb the ladder. If not, why are you still at the company? The new sense of direction and motivation you receive after following the above steps should help you find fresh chances within your current role. If this isn’t the case, start looking for a job that fits into your long-term career plan.

If you’re ‘comfortable’ in a role, it is easy to ignore the self-auditing process outlined above. After all, leaving your comfort zone is daunting. However, failure to do so means you’ll probably get stuck in an undesirable role with no real opportunities for years if not decades. By doing the hard work now, you’ll reap the rewards in future as you progress regarding salary, skills, and experience.