When Evaluating Job Opportunities – Evaluate You!

And, most importantly, don’t lie to yourself!

Do you know yourself? Do you know what you’re capable of doing? Do you know where you want to be in the next five or ten years in your career? Are you doing the necessary steps to get where you want to go? Are you?

It amazes me how often I will speak to candidates and they tell me all these wonderful things they want to do in their careers, but they aren’t doing anything about it! In other words, they’re not making any plans, or adjustments, to get where they “say” they’re going. Why not? It’s sounds good and I support them 100%, but it’s unrealistic. Do you know why? Because you can’t just “say” it or “wish” it you have to get serious and do something about it!

Do you “wish” things were different in your career? You have to know yourself. We all have some limitations, don’t we? When you are evaluating your career you have to understand there are some careers you wouldn’t do or can’t do. It’s a fact!

For example, what if you wanted to open up a bagel shop but you don’t like getting up at three o’clock in the morning or working on the weekends? Is this right for you? Sounds cool but is it the right career for you? How about being a realtor but you don’t like working nights or weekends? Is this career right for you? You get the idea. Know yourself, your limitations, and what “fits-in” with your personality.

So, when you’re thinking about your dream career you need to evaluate everything about that career. Everything! I want to caution you on one thing. There is no such thing as a “perfect” career field. Do you know what the “perfect” career field is? The one that fits with YOU and YOUR personality! We’re all different and we all like different things, so the “perfect” career for your friend might not be the “perfect” career for you.

You have to be honest with yourself. Know your capabilities. Know your likes, dislikes, and what you want to do in your career. This isn’t easy; especially for younger people just starting out in their careers. You must do an honest evaluation of your skills, wants, likes, dislikes, hopes, dreams and aspirations, before you spend a lot of time and money going down the wrong road. I hope this helps.

Good luck to you!

Mike Palumbo

Business owner, executive recruiter, author, radio talk show host, blogger, motivational speaker and career consultant! My goal is to help you find that dream career you’ve always wanted!

Tags: Career Motivation, Career Planning, Research Opportunities