Picking out your career is a daunting task.
Whether you’re just starting out on the job search or transitioning from one career to another, there are dozens of factors and elements to consider.
Luckily, the internet is home to a wealth of resources that can help guide you in this important life decision. In this guide, you’ll find several online options that will help you pick out the best career for you.
Table of Contents
Where can you start with a job search?
How about by figuring out what you are and what you want in life.
A step-by-step examination for some of the basics of existence.
A free download of a workbook that will help you to answer some questions about your passions in life.
For those who may want to know if they’re more suited for a corporate or start-up life.
celebrity career changer
Even celebrities make career changes.
Arnold Schwarzenegger has made not one, but two, career changes.
From world champion bodybuilder in his 20's to major Hollywood actor in his 30's and then onto Governor of California at the ripe age of 56.
So, don't be worried if you haven't made your mind up yet, you have plenty of time.
A comprehensive “interest profiler” that will help you narrow down what you enjoy in life - and at work. Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Employment and Training Administration.
Want to know what your personality type is like from a Jungian / Briggs Myers psychology perspective? Take this Jung’s Typology Test for some illumination.
A detailed and expansive resource to help determine what is really important to you in the workplace.
This “career cluster” survey from Minnesota State University will help you to narrow down the different types of fields you may feel comfortable in.
Uncover some insight into yourself with this “Big-Five Factor Markers” test, which measures five important markers into your personality.
Another very valuable text to help dig deep down into your inner psychology. Helpful for everyone.
WikiHow has a fine, detailed and illustrated guide ideal for anyone who’s trying to figure out what they want in life.
Hey, who better to help you figure out yourself than the great, exalted Oprah Winfrey? Her website has a nice little quiz to help out.
After you figure out your personality, it’s time to figure out what kind of skills you can bring to the workforce. Here are some links that help you out.
From the U.S. Department of Labor - a skills profiler, encompassing both “soft” and “technical” skills to help prospective workers figure out the best fit.
MindTools provides a wide array of employee tests and quizzes to help workers narrow down what they’re best at.
A quick - and actually kind of a fun - test that helps you pick out some of the job skills you’re proficient at.
Looking for a site that will help you find out what career is right for you? Well, a website called “What Career Is Right For Me” will certainly help you out; the site has a long quiz to help determine skills and interests.
An excellent interactive aptitude test from Rasmussen College. This one is slider-based, with a filter built in to allow you to integrate factors like job growth, salary and education.
Looking for guidance in shaping the direction of your career? There are plenty of online resources for you.
Just coming out of school? For students, here are some resources to help you develop a very successful career.
Want to try to map out your career plan? Try sketching it out before you make a new move with this sample from Mapping Your Future (it’s filled in with a different job, but you can easily make it your own).
Are you a Millenial in a melee? Check out our Career Building Tips for Millenials!
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) also advocates making a career plan, and provides several actionable steps for those starting out or starting over.
The Harvard Business review knows a little bit about business. Here’s a list of fascinating articles on career planning to help you gain a little more insight into your next step.
How about some career planning advice from a CEO? This Business Insider piece speaks to a former Google executive, who gives three valuable tips on determining the course of your employment.
Now that you’ve found a position, how can you work to achieve the best possible career experience? Peruse some of these links to get the most out of your job.
The “Society for Grownups” has some very mature suggestions for helping to keep your career on track. For grown-ups only, obviously.
On that tipping point between “going back to school” and “staying in it for a while longer”? This article provides some good background info to help inform your choice.
Want to sharpen your day-to-day experience at your job? Here’s twenty tips - there’s definitely one or two that’ll help out!
Looking to move from one career to another for one reason or another? It’s absolutely essential you research and plan before this very important move. Here are some online links to help with the transition.
The “Institute of Career Transitions,” not surprisingly, has a wealth of resources for anyone who is going through this type of change. A vast amount of materials to poke around with here.
it's in the lyrics
According to the Bureau of Labor Statitics (BLS), by the age of 40 the average American has held 10 different jobs.
If you feel your transitions mean you're on a misguided path, think again, the BLS shows that it's normal to change jobs or careers.
The 1997 released "Wear Sunscreen" single produced by Baz Luhrmann includes the poignant lyrics,
The most interesting people I know,
didn't know at 22 what they wanted to do with their lives,
Some of the most interesting 40-year-olds I know still don't.
So don't fear if you haven't made you mind up on your ultimate career path.
Worried about how you’re going to explain your career transition to a prospective employer? The Harvard Business Review has some excellent tips.
The author Kerry Hannon wrote a book about navigating a career change; here, she provides ten valuable tips on switching careers for the Forbes readers.
Well, the site called “Career Transitions” is another very self-explanatory site. Again, tons of tests, links and other resources here for the modern job-seeker.
Want some help in getting over the qualms and nervousness that comes with switching careers? Venture over to this valuable Forbes article to find out some tips on how to deal.
A career transition is - naturally - an extraordinarly emotional event. This article from the Harvard Business Review gives some tips for navigating the psychological elements of this big life event.
This page focuses on career transitions for a female perspective.
Have you been in a career for a while and are looking for some type of change? This page from What’sNext has five valuable tips for those who are looking to switch it up in mid-career-stream.
if you've been recently laid off, or transitioning into a new organization, discover what your next steps are including common severance packages and how to negotiate them.
Social media? Well, that’s a pretty big and important thing these days. Here are some of the more valuable sites on the web where you can chat and network with other people who may be in the same position.
Got a LinkedIn? If you don’t, you should have one, and once you get one, you’ll need to describe your work experience; this website provides some very valuable tips for fleshing that area out.
There’s a good chance that LinkedIn will be the primary face of your job search, so it’s vital that your page is as sharp and detailed as possible. These 22 tips will help make your profile glisten.
If you’re new to LinkedIn, this InterExchange article will help guide you through. This detailed piece provides an A-to-Z look at the benefits and intricacies of the website.
As we’ve said, LinkedIn is an extremely valuable resource for your job search. This online article details some of the common mistakes job seekers make on LinkedIn - make sure you’re not making these!
Some very valuable tips for using Twitter for the job search. Those 140 characters can provide some big benefits in the long run!
See, Twitter’s not just for exploring hot sports takes and getting into arguments. Follow these job search experts and get daily advice that will help you with the hunt.
HubSpot specializes in optimizing online and social networking; this article provides some excellent tips for getting the most out of your LinkedIn profile.
Okay, how about Facebook? Zuckerberg’s creation (well, sort of) can also be a very valuable tool for a job hunt; this Forbes article details some of the ways you can use Facebook to get yourself a job.
Did you know Facebook has a job search and application tool? It’s true, and this Time magazine article has a very interesting in-depth dive into the feature. This may not be something you’ve seen, so check it out.
Networking with colleagues, friends and others is an absolute necessity when it comes to the job hunt. This article from The Balance has some valuable facts, figures and tips to help grow your online network.
Sometimes the most effective place to explore careers is in-person at a career event. Here are some of the most popular ones in the United States that you may want to attend.
The National Career Fairs website offers an expansive listing of job fairs that are put on throughout the United States. Wherever you are in the country, there’s a good chance there will be a fair close to you.
Another excellent database of job fairs throughout the United States. Bookmark these pages and check in frequently for updates.
Incorrect
Make sure you get the best out of your jobs fair or careers event. Don't just arrive on the day without a plan.
Correct
Before you arrive, study the floor plan, dress professionally and know what types of questions you want to ask employers and what type of questions they may ask you.
Heading out to a job fair to try to find a job? Be sure to get the most out of it with these tips for how to ace a career fair.
A compendium of job fairs and hiring events from BestHire, arranged by location. The site also has career advice and a job search feature.
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