Do you ever feel you still don’t know what you want to be when you grow up?
If you’re dissatisfied with your work but aren’t sure what you’d like to do — you just know what you’re doing now isn’t it — you can find some clues to your dream career by looking at what you enjoy doing in your time off.
Your answers to the following questions can help you start to identify the type of jobs you’d most likely enjoy:
1. If you had an evening off, what would you rather do?
a. Go to a party.
b. Stay home and surf the Internet.
c. Work on a hobby such as scrapbooking or model building.
d. Go to a movie.
2. Which section of the newspaper do you turn to first?
a. The advice column or letters to the editor
b. News
c. Sports
d. Entertainment
3. What would you prefer to do at a party?
a. Greet people at the door.
b. Join in a discussion of current events.
c. Make hors d’oeuvres.
d. Entertain.
4. Which book would you rather receive as a gift?
a. Chicken Soup for the Soul.
b. A Brief History of Time.
c. How Things Work.
d. An art book for your coffee table.
5. What would you rather do in your spare time?
a. Catch up with friends over coffee.
b. Organize your closets.
c. Garden or do home renovations.
d. Write poetry.
6. It’s your turn to choose the movie. What’s your first choice?
a. A romantic comedy such as Sleepless in Seattle.
b. A thought-provoking drama such as A Beautiful Mind.
c. An action-adventure movie such as Star Wars.
d. An independent film such as What the Bleep Do We Know?
7. You’re at a social event. Who would you rather join?
a. A large group that is laughing a lot.
b. A small group having a lively discussion.
c. Several people playing a game such as pool or darts.
d. An individual who looks like an interesting person.
8. You have the chance to be on a reality show. You choose:
a. A show where your interpersonal skills can help you win, such as Survivor, The Apprentice, or The Bachelor.
b. None. You think reality shows are a mindless waste of time.
c. A show that gives you the chance to work hands-on to improve something, such as Trading Spaces.
d. A show where you can win on the basis of your talent, such as American Idol, Last Comic Standing, or Project Runway.
9. Which of the following would your friends say best describes you?
a. A people person
b. Intelligent
c. Handy
d. Creative
Your answers can give you some clues to your ideal career. While virtually all careers involve working with people, information, and things, and many allow some creativity in doing the job, most careers focus on one particular aspect and most of us have a distinct preference.
If you answered mostly A’s, your ideal career probably involves working with people. According to Human Resources Development Canada’s National Occupation Classification, these careers may involve: mentoring, negotiating, instructing, consulting, supervising, persuading, speaking, serving, or assisting. Possible career choices include: teacher, human resources, flight attendant, life coach, daycare worker, personal assistant.
If you answered mostly B’s, your ideal career probably involves working with information. These careers may include tasks such as synthesizing, coordinating, analyzing, compiling, computing, copying, or comparing. Possible career choices include: library assistant, editor, web developer, professional organizer, accountant, private investigator.
If you answered mostly C’s, your ideal career probably involves working with things. Tasks you might do in these careers include setting up, precision working, controlling, driving, operating, tending, feeding, or handling. Possible career choices include: chef, repair person, carpenter, collectibles dealer, veterinary assistant, mechanic.
If you answered mostly D’s, your ideal career is probably creative. Possible career choices include: writer, photographer, musician, interior decorator, graphic artist, fashion designer.
Of course there are many more careers to choose from, but knowing your preferred type can help you narrow down the choices.
By exploring what you enjoy most, you just may discover what you’d like to be now that you’re grown up!