Navigating the vast world of career options can be both exciting and daunting. Whether you’re a student on the cusp of entering the workforce, someone contemplating a career change, or simply curious about what professions might best match your personality, our blog – What Job Should I Do? is here to guide you. We understand that securing a fulfilling job is paramount for a brighter future. That’s why we delve deep into diverse professions, providing insights to help you find a role that not only aligns with your skills and passions but also ensures you’re on a path to personal and professional contentment. So, join us on this explorative journey and let’s discover together the career that’s just right for you!

Quick Links:

• How Do I Know What Job Is Right For Me?
• Researching Traditional Career Paths
• Emerging Industries
• Exploring The Gig Economy
• Jobs To Get When You Don’t Know What To Do
• Considering Further Education, Qualifications, And Training
• Making A Decision
• Career Path FAQs

Highlights And Key Takeaways:

1. A self-assessment, career quiz, career counselling, SWOT analysis, and real-world experience will help you decide what job to do.
2. Research traditional, emerging, and gig economy jobs if you are considering entering the world of employment or making a career change.
3. Networking opportunities, new qualifications, internships, temporary roles, and part-time jobs can help you explore different careers.

How Do I Know What Job Is Right For Me?

Choosing the right career path is often a daunting task, akin to standing at a crossroads with endless roads branching out in front of you. However, with the right tools and career advice, you can navigate this maze with confidence. In this section, we’ll reveal 5 ways to help you figure out which job is the perfect fit for you.

1. Make A Self-Assessment

Before you start browsing job boards or sending out CVs, take a step back and do some introspection. What are your interests, skills, and values? Are you a people person or do you prefer solitary tasks? Do you enjoy analytical challenges or are you more creatively inclined? Self-assessment allows you to align your job search with your personal attributes, making for a more rewarding career.

2. Take A Career Quiz or Career Test

If you’re struggling with self-assessment, career quizzes can be an insightful starting point. These quizzes usually measure your preferences and strengths and then offer job suggestions based on your responses. While they shouldn’t be considered as the ultimate answer, they can certainly provide you with some direction and even introduce you to roles you hadn’t previously considered.

3. Seek Out Career Counselling & Assessments

For a more comprehensive evaluation, consider seeking professional career counselling. Career counsellors utilise various assessment tools to provide tailored advice. They can help you identify your competencies, recommend suitable career paths, and even offer tips on how to break into your chosen field. Moreover, many career counsellors provide valuable market insights, helping you understand the job landscape in your area of interest.

4. Perform A SWOT Analysis Focused on Professional Aspects

A SWOT analysis allows you to examine your Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats in a structured manner. Start by listing your professional skills and competencies under Strengths. Then, identify your Weaknesses, or areas where you could improve. Opportunities could include unfilled gaps in your chosen market, while Threats might be economic downturns or strong competition. This type of focused analysis will give you a 360-degree view of your career prospects and challenges, helping you make an informed decision.

5. Gain Real-world Experience

Theory and analysis are all well and good, but there’s no substitute for actual experience. Pursue internships, volunteering roles, or even part-time positions in your field of interest. This real-world exposure will provide you with invaluable insights into the day-to-day realities of the job, work culture, and industry norms. You’ll get to apply your skills in a practical setting and validate whether the job feels like a good fit.

In summary, finding the right job involves a combination of introspection, professional advice, and real-world experience. By taking the time to understand yourself and the options available to you, you’ll be well-placed to make a choice that aligns with both your skills and your passions.

Researching Traditional Career Paths

When exploring traditional company career paths, it’s essential to understand that jobs can be broadly categorised into four types: Routine Manual, Routine Cognitive, Non-routine Manual, and Non-routine Cognitive. Gaining insights into these categories can help you better navigate the job market and understand the demands and opportunities associated with various roles:

1. Routine Manual

These jobs involve repetitive, manual tasks that often require physical skill but not extensive cognitive input. Examples include assembly line workers, drivers, and cleaners. While these roles may not require advanced educational qualifications, they often demand a high level of physical stamina and efficiency.

2. Routine Cognitive

This category encompasses jobs that involve repetitive mental tasks. Occupations like data entry, basic customer service, and routine business administration fall under this umbrella. While the tasks are predominantly cognitive, they often follow set procedures and don’t require complex problem-solving skills.

3. Non-routine Manual

Non-routine manual jobs require specialised physical skills, and the tasks can vary significantly from day to day. Professions like carpentry, plumbing, and emergency medical services fall into this category. These roles often require vocational training and offer the chance to work in various settings.

4. Non-routine Cognitive

These jobs involve complex problem-solving, creativity, and higher-order thinking. Professionals like lawyers, doctors, engineers, and artists fall under this category. Such roles usually require advanced education and offer a high degree of autonomy and decision-making freedom.

What’s key is to understand which category aligns most closely with your interests, skills, and career aspirations. To help you get a deeper look into specific roles, we provide a list of links to job descriptions, job description templates, and resources that will give you a detailed understanding of various professions, helping you make a more informed career choice:

• Accounting professional job summary
• Agriculture worker job summary
• Analyst job summary
• Armed forces professional job summary
• Arts person job summary
• Automotive worker job summary
• Banking and insurance professional job summary
• Bar and restaurant worker job summary
• Charity worker job summary
• Construction worker job summary
• Customer service professional job summary
• Education worker job summary
• Engineering professional job summary
• Facilities management person job summary
• Finance worker job summary
• Healthcare person job summary
• Hospitality and leisure professional job summary
• Human Resources Professional job summary
• Information technology expert job summary
• Leadership person job summary
• Legal professional job summary
• Management professional job summary
• Manufacturing worker job summary
• Marketing professional job summary
• Media person job summary
• Nurse job summary
• Office administration worker job summary
• Personal care worker job summary
• Professional service employee job summary
• Project manager job summary
• Public sector worker job summary
• Religious worker job summary
• Retail professional job summary
• Sales person job summary
• Science worker job summary
• Social care worker job summary
• Teacher job summary
• Telecommunications professional job summary
• Transportation and logistics worker job summary

Emerging Industries

In an ever-changing job market, keeping an eye on emerging industries is crucial for career success. In the UK, four sectors are experiencing rapid growth, offering new and exciting opportunities for job seekers:

1. Technology and Artificial Intelligence

The tech industry is booming, especially in areas like artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and software development. With the increasing reliance on digital platforms, professionals with tech skills are in high demand.

2. Renewable Energy

As the world shifts toward sustainable practices, the renewable energy sector is expanding. Roles in solar and wind energy, energy storage, and sustainability consulting are becoming increasingly prevalent.

3. Health and Wellness

The health and wellness sector is not just limited to medical professionals anymore. With an increasing focus on preventative healthcare, roles in nutrition, mental health, and fitness are on the rise.

4. E-commerce

The pandemic has accelerated the growth of e-commerce, making roles in digital marketing, supply chain management, and online customer service more crucial than ever.

Exploring The Gig Economy

The gig economy has taken the UK by storm, revolutionising the traditional concept of employment. Here, we’ll delve into the specifics of what the gig economy is and how it might be the right fit for you.

What is the Gig Economy?

The gig economy is a labour market characterised by short-term contracts or freelance work, rather than permanent jobs. It offers flexibility, enabling you to work on multiple projects for different clients. Let’s look at the benefits and challenges of working in gig economy jobs:

• Benefits: One of the most significant advantages of gig work is flexibility. You can set your own hours and choose projects that align with your skills and interests. This is particularly appealing to those who like variety in their work or are looking to supplement their income.
• Challenges: While the gig economy offers freedom, it also comes with its own set of challenges, such as inconsistent income and lack of employment benefits like healthcare and retirement plans.
• Popular Gig Economy Jobs: Ride share driving, freelance writing, graphic design, and consultancy are some of the most common roles in the gig economy.

Is It For You?

If you value flexibility and autonomy and are comfortable with a degree of financial uncertainty, then the gig economy could be an ideal fit. However, it’s crucial to weigh the pros and cons to determine if this work model aligns with your career goals and lifestyle.

Jobs To Get When You Don’t Know What To Do

Feeling lost in the labyrinth of career options? You’re not alone. Many people find themselves at a crossroads, unsure which path to take. If you’re in this boat, there are 7 types of roles you can consider as you mull over your long-term career decisions. These positions can offer you the chance to gain new work and life skills, earn money, and perhaps most importantly, buy you some time to figure out What Job Is Right For Me?

1. Stopgap Jobs

Stopgap jobs are essentially roles you take on temporarily while figuring out your career path. These might include roles in retail, hospitality, or customer service. They’re generally easy to get into and allow you the freedom to continue pondering your career aspirations.

2. Internships

Internships offer you an excellent opportunity to dip your toes into a particular industry without making a long-term commitment. They provide on-the-job training and allow you to network within the field, which can be invaluable when you decide on a career path. They are an excellent stepping stone into your first job and you can find out more in our guide – How Do I Get My First Job?

3. Short-term Roles

Short-term roles, often contract positions, offer the chance to work on specific projects or during peak seasons. These roles are excellent for gaining focused experience and skills that can make you more marketable in the long run.

4. Part-time Roles

Part-time jobs can give you the flexibility to explore other interests or pursue further education. Whether it’s a weekend job or a few hours during weekdays, part-time roles can be a stepping stone as you figure out your career trajectory.

5. Temporary Roles

Temporary roles, often found through agencies, are another viable option when you’re undecided on a career. These jobs can range from administrative tasks to manual labour and usually have a set end date, giving you the flexibility to move on when you’re ready.

6. Volunteering

While not a paying job, volunteering can offer immense value when you’re unsure about your career path. It provides a chance to develop new skills, make valuable connections, and perhaps most crucially, gives you insight into sectors or roles you might be interested in. Volunteering is also a superb way to build experience and candidate value if you are struggling to find a paid opportunity. If this sounds like your situation, read our article – I Can’t Find A Job (What Can I Do?)

7. Turning a Hobby into a Career

If you have a hobby you’re passionate about, consider how you might turn it into a profitable venture. From blogging and crafting to cooking, many hobbies can be transformed into full-time careers or side hustles, offering both fulfilment and financial gain.

In summary, if you’re grappling with the question, ‘What job should I do?’ remember that you have a multitude of options to explore. Each of these roles offers its own set of benefits and experiences, helping you inch closer to that all-important career decision.

Considering Further Education, Qualifications, And Training

In a competitive job market, having the right qualifications can make all the difference. However, diving back into education is a significant commitment, both in terms of time and finances. If you’re contemplating further education, qualifications, or training to boost your career prospects, here’s what you should consider.

The Value of Further Education

Further education can provide you with a deeper understanding of your chosen field, opening doors to roles that require advanced knowledge or specialisation.

Pros:

• Specialised Knowledge: Delve deeper into subjects, equipping yourself with a level of expertise.
• Networking Opportunities: Engage with professionals in your field, making valuable connections.
• Career Advancement: Access roles that require an advanced, postgraduate degree or specific qualification.

Cons:

• Cost: Tuition and associated expenses can be substantial.
• Time Commitment: Full-time courses may require a hiatus from the workforce.

Vocational and Technical Qualifications

Not all careers require a traditional degree. Vocational and technical courses offer training geared towards specific roles, such as electricians, plumbers, or IT technicians. They can be a practical, hands-on way to gain the skills you need.

Benefits:

• Focused Training: Learn the specific skills required for a particular job.
• Shorter Duration: Often quicker than traditional degrees, getting you job-ready sooner.
• Cost-effective: Typically less expensive than university degrees.

Continuous Professional Development (CPD)

Even if you’ve been in your profession for a while, there’s always something new to learn. CPD courses can help you stay updated with the latest developments in your field.

Advantages:

• Stay Relevant: Keep up-to-date with industry trends and advancements.
• Career Progression: Enhance your CV and increase your chances of promotions or new job opportunities.

Online Courses

The digital age has brought education to our fingertips. Platforms like Coursera, Udemy, and LinkedIn Learning offer courses on a multitude of subjects, allowing you to upskill at your own pace.

Pros:

• Flexibility: Learn when and where it suits you.
• Variety: Access a vast range of topics and specialisations.
• Affordability: Many online courses are cheaper than traditional classroom settings, with some even offered for free.

Wondering what qualifications and experience employers are seeking today? Explore the qualifications employers are adding to job descriptions.

Making A Decision

Embracing career advice, choosing a career path, or deciding on further education is a significant milestone, often accompanied by moments of doubt and uncertainty. It’s essential to remember that no decision is set in stone; paths can change and evolve over time. Reflect on what genuinely resonates with you, your passions, skills, and long-term aspirations. Seek advice from trusted individuals, whether they’re mentors, family, or friends. Take your time, weigh the pros and cons, and remember that every experience, whether in a job or in a classroom, adds value and shapes your unique journey. Embrace the process, knowing that each step, even the uncertain ones, contributes to your personal and professional growth. For further tips and research techniques, read – Career Research: How To Research Career Paths.

Career Path FAQs

Next, we answer your questions on choosing the right career path and exploring your career options: