Choosing a career | EPZ Global

One of the most crucial decisions you will make in your life is selecting a career. It is about far more than determining what you will do for a living.

Four steps in the career planning process

Knowing yourself. Skills, likes and dislikes, and values.
Researching more. Exploring what is out there.
Making a decision. Comparing the options.
Taking action. Working towards your goals.

A career plan is a continuous process that helps you manage your own learning and development. Use the four steps when you are at school, at college, an adult returning to education or adding skills, or a professional changing job or career.

Career planning is the continuous process of thinking about your interests, values, skills and preferences; exploring the life, work and learning options open to you; making sure the work fits your personal circumstances; and fine tuning the plan as your life and the world of work change.

1. Knowing yourself

Begin by considering where you are now, where you want to go, and how you want to get there. Then get to know your talents, your interests and your values. Ask yourself:

Where am I now?
Where do I want to be?
What do I want out of a job or a career?
What do I like to do?
What are my strengths?
What is important to me?

By the end of this you will understand your own objectives and preferences better. Treat it as a personal wish list, and compare everything you gather in step 2 against it.

2. Researching more

Explore the occupations that interest you, and ask how your skills and interests match up against them:

Where are the gaps?
What options do I have to gain these skills, or to qualify?
What skills do I need?

3. Making a decision

This stage is comparing your options, narrowing them down, and deciding what is best for you at this moment:

What are my best work or training options?
How do they match my skills, interests and values?
How do they fit the current labour market?
How do they fit my situation and my responsibilities?
What are the advantages and disadvantages of each?
What will help me, and what will hinder me? What can I do about it?

4. Taking action

Here you plan the steps that put the decision into effect. Build the strategy out of what you have learned about your abilities, interests and beliefs, together with what you found out about the world of work:

What steps will move me towards my work, training and career goals?
Where can I get help?
Who will support me?

Still unsure which path to take?

That is what career solutions is for: interest and aptitude testing, and a conversation with the psychologist who read it. Talk to us, or sit a practice test first.