What To Do When You Don’t Know What to Do

Not everyone is lucky in love when it comes to their career. If you’re feeling burnt out, uninspired, or lacking confidence in your current position, it may be time for a change–or at least time to start thinking about a change. Finding the perfect career for your interests, abilities, and lifestyle could take years! And the correct answer may change again and again throughout your lifetime. It’s no easy task but these tips can help.

1. Go on informational interviews.
   Have you ever wondered what it’s like to be a book editor? A retail manager? A marketing assistant? Set up an informational interview. Grab coffee or schedule a phone date with someone in the industry who’s willing to share their expertise and advice. If you’re lucky, you may be able to shadow them for a day. Sure, it’s a time commitment for both of you but the knowledge you gain is priceless. A “No, that’s definitely not for me!” is just as helpful as a “Wow, I’d love to do that!”
2. Assess yourself.
   What are your strengths and weaknesses? What inspires you? Where do you want to be in 10 years? Be truthful. The answers to these questions can help you find a more focused direction. Take a quiet afternoon to sit down and really focus on your future. Online assessments can help. Or ask friends and family members for their input if a self-assessment is too challenging for you.
3. Hire a career coach.
   The career path you chose when you were 18 or 22 might not be the right career path for you right now. It’s hard to assess your own wants, needs, and desires. A career coach can help. They can analyze what you’re looking for out of your life and how you can best get it. They’re more likely to think outside the box and push your boundaries farther than you’ve ever considered.

Image via Niklas Freidwall/Flickr.