Understanding Career Choices

Investigation of Career Opportunities

• Career investigation isn’t solely about looking for presently available jobs, it’s also analysing the job market for future opportunities.
• Every career sector is shaped by trends like technological advances or public policy, which can affect job availability and desired skills.
• It's important to investigate entry requirements for desired careers, including necessary qualifications, skills, experiences, and personal traits.
• One could start this investigation through sources like online job databases, career fairs or career advisory services in schools or local communities.

Factors Influencing Career Decisions

• Passion and interests should align with a chosen career as they result in satisfaction and longevity.
• Skills and talents influence career choices. People tend to select careers where they can utilise their strengths.
• Socioeconomic factors such as income expectations, social standing and job security have considerable influence.
• Workplace environment (such as remote or office work, single-task or multitask roles, etc.) can affect job satisfaction and longevity.
• Family background and peer influence can shape individuals' expectations and decisions.

Career Planning and Goal Setting

• Long-term career planning involves setting specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-bound (SMART) goals.
• Career plans should incorporate backup plans to manage uncertainty and change.
• Continuous learning and upskilling is necessary to adapt to the evolving job market. It is central to career growth and success.
• Regular reflection and re-evaluation of goals is important to ensure they remain relevant.

Employability Skills

• Desired skills vary by job but key transferable skills are valued in many sectors, including team-working, problem-solving, communication, and resilience.
• Digital literacy is increasingly important due to the digitalisation of many work processes.
• The ability to network effectively is important, as it often opens up job opportunities and partnerships.
• Continuous professional development (CPD) such as further training, certifications or internships, can enhance employability.

Importance of a CV and Cover Letter

• A CV gives a snapshot of your qualifications, skills, interests, and experiences. It should be regularly updated and tailored to specific job applications.
• A cover letter provides an opportunity to convey your personality, passion, and suitability for the job.
• Spelling and grammar should be error-free and the material should be clearly presented to make a positive impression.

Preparation for Job Interviews

• Use the job description to anticipate possible questions and prepare relevant examples of how you meet the job requirements.
• Research the organisation’s values and culture.
• Common interview types include one-to-one, group and panel interviews.
• Prepare questions to ask the interviewer about the role or company – this demonstrates interest and engagement.

These are just some tips and information to help you with understanding career choices. Keep reviewing these regularly to be well-prepared.