How to choose a career ?

For young people decision about choosing a career is possibly the most important decision in their life. This decision influences their lives in multiple ways, which is simple to understand for all of us. Where we'll live, what we'll do, how much we'll earn, and what lifestyle we'll adopt are directly related to our job and career.

The space of careers is not the same as it used to be 2-3 decades ago.  The world is changing fast, and in this dynamic world, people's approach to jobs and careers has also changed. This, in fact, is a good thing. Our being strategic and contemporary helps us to be closer to reality, which leads to better decision-making in all walks of life.  The decision about choosing a career should be taken with all seriousness to keep us happy, satisfied, and without regrets.

In our day-to-day life, we come across many people who have a job. Most of them will be doing their job with sincerity and dedication. But it can't be said that all of them are happy with their job and enjoying it. For most people, their job is like a routine. How good it will be to get a job of our liking in which we can put our heart and derive happiness from our work. Proper planning for our career may help in this. A career should be chosen. It shouldn't just happen.

There may be two ways in which we can look for a job. The first is to accept whatever comes our way; the other is to understand our career objectives and then work on them to realize these objectives. There is indeed tough competition in the job market. It is for us to decide whether we want to get intimidated by this competition or become ready to equip ourselves to beat the competition. The truth is that by proper career planning and hard work, it will be easier for you to find your way through this competition.

Career planning is like setting goals and making decisions. Good planning and the right choice will help you get where you want to be. Ideas given here are intended to help first-time job seekers and also those who are already employed and are looking for a change.

India has changed a lot since independence. The pace of change has been phenomenal during the nineties and twenties. We are counted as the fastest-growing economies in the world. We have the largest youth population. New opportunities are coming up every day. We have to identify opportunities suitable for us to avail them.

For the earlier generation, there were very few career choices, and in most cases, they continued with their first job till retirement. The situation before the new generation is different. There are varied opportunities available to them, and commitment to a particular job or company for their entire working life is something many of them can't think of. The truth is majority of this young population will work in different jobs and organizations in their working life. It makes the whole thing appear more complicated. There are young, qualified people who could've got a decent-paying job in companies of repute but decided to be on their own with some venture which we call entrepreneurship. Not everyone doesn't have this risk-taking capability. Where one wants to work and what one wants to do is a matter of personal choice. Those who want to secure a good career should focus on the industries or businesses that have a good future. But this can't be the only criterion. In fact, you should look within before you look outside for a career.

It always helps to make an inventory of your personality attributes. If your job matches your personality, then the sailing may be smooth. For example, a job in sales and marketing may not be the ideal job for someone who is an introvert and does not like to meet new people. However, if we assume that such a person wants a marketing job, then s/he will have to come out of their introvert nature to become an effective marketer.. The lesson here is to choose a job that matches your personality or brings the required changes in your personality to match your job. It may appear difficult, but it is possible. Many people have accomplished this.

Equally important are your skills. All of us have a few skills, and some are more skilled than others. All jobs require certain basic skills. At a higher level, skill requirements become more specific. Make sure that you possess the fundamental skills for the job you are looking at. Again, it is worth noting that skills can be learnt and developed. So, in case you find yourself lacking in some skill, you may overcome with effort and persistence.

A degree doesn't necessarily make you skilled. In various surveys, it has already been advised that more than half of engineering graduates are not considered employable as they lack many skills sought by employers. Don't consider your degree or diploma to be a passport to your dream job. You'll require much more than this.

Your career strategy doesn't get complete with only deciding the kind of job you want to do. You should have clarity about the kind of organization you want to join.

It is simple to understand that you should have adequate qualifications for the job. If you're still a student and have a particular job in mind, find out the eligibility requirements.  As an explanation, those who want to work as economists will require a master's degree in the subject. For clerical and generalist officers' positions in a public sector bank, a graduate degree will suffice.

Many of us get attracted to a job without having sufficient knowledge about it. We succeed in getting the job and then come to realize that it is much different than what we had expected. It is advisable to collect as much information as possible relating to the job or position to have a complete picture. Details given in a job advertisement should not be considered enough. Searches on the internet may be of help, but to get firsthand information, you may try to meet a few people who are already working in those jobs.

Your career strategy doesn't get complete with only deciding the kind of job you want to do. You should have clarity about the kind of organization you want to join.  For example, if you are a graduate mechanical engineer, various options will be open to you. There would be public sector undertakings like NTPC, BHEL, ONGC, etc., companies in the private sector, and also engineering services of the Central government, among others, with a requirement for such engineers. Not all of them may have vacancies in a given time frame, but knowing your preferences will work well for you.  If you are concerned only with the job and don't bother about the organization, you have to be clear about this as well.

The attitude of having a job just as a means of livelihood is considered primitive now. A new trend is being seen where people are relating their passion to the career they want to have. The profession chosen by them is not necessarily directly related to their studies. Frankly, this cannot be possible for everybody. However, it is important to choose a job that you like and in which you can feel happy. This will require some exploration. Those with a creative bent of mind may feel scuffled in a typical bureaucratic organization.

Care needs to be taken not to judge a job just based on salary and the financial benefits it offers. Of course, you should be compensated for your time and contribution in a job, but it is also important to look for the learning and growth opportunities it offers. The growth need not be only in the form of career progression, but should also include your personal and intellectual growth. It is always better to work with those organizations that have a clear human resource development policy and that invest well in their human capital.

The attitude of having a job just as a means of livelihood is considered primitive now. A new trend is being seen where people are relating their passion to the career they want to have.

There are more lateral career opportunities available now than ever before. So those who are looking for a change are in a better position to exercise such an option. However, such a decision should be taken after proper analysis and should not be based on flimsy reasons. Sometimes it is not easy to find out how better the new job proposal is. On some parameters, it may offer an advantageous position but may also require a few compromises to be made. You have to judge every offer in its totality and make sure that, in most respects, you're getting a better deal. Don't switch to another job just because it offers a higher salary. It may lack growth opportunities, or the work culture may be disappointing. So every major aspect of the job has to be evaluated. Also, it is advisable not to leave a job on a bitter note. There have been instances of people wanting to return to their earlier employer. If you had maintained good relations then it would be easier for you to return.

If you want to remain relevant in the job market, you'll need to upgrade your knowledge and skills. Those who create a distinct positive identity will always be in demand and in a better position to move to higher or better roles.

When one doesn't succeed in getting a job, it is easier to blame the situation, system, or competition. This is not going to help. You can be successful with your hard work, persistence, and by equipping yourself with the right attributes. Analyze your weaknesses and strengths. Weaknesses can be converted into strengths. It requires determination. Tune your mindset towards success, clarify your objectives, and intensify your efforts to move closer to your career goals. Your career strategy should be a well-thought-out decision to make the best of your knowledge, skill, and aptitude and ultimately realize your potential.

Best Wishes!