How To Make a Career Decision in 6 Steps (With Tips)

AfriCareers

13 August 2024

5 min read

Making a career decision can be challenging, especially if you have multiple options or are unsure about your goals. However, with some careful planning and self-reflection, you can find a career path that suits your skills, interests and values. In this article, we will explain how to make a career decision in six steps and provide some tips to help you along the way.

How To Make a Career Decision in 6 Steps (With Tips)

Are you feeling stuck or overwhelmed by your career choices? Do you want to find a job that suits your skills, interests and values? If so, you're not alone. Many people struggle with making career decisions at some point in their lives. But don't worry, there is a way to make this process easier and more enjoyable. I will share with you how to make a career decision in 6 simple steps, with some tips and examples along the way. Let's get started!

Identify and investigate the decision

Before you begin the decision-making process, it's important to ensure that you understand everything that the decision involves. Define the decision you want to make by first considering who or what it might affect. This often involves collecting all the necessary information about the decision. Ask clarifying questions about what it entails to the parties involved. You can consider the following:

Why you're making the decision: Making a good decision for yourself often involves considering your overall life goals. When you think about what you want out of your career and how it matches your life goals, it can be easier to eliminate options you don't want for your life.

Who you're making the decision for: Considering whether the choice is something you truly want to make or if someone else is influencing you can help you determine if it's right for you. While opinions of others can be valuable, try to prioritize your own thoughts and ideals before consider those of others.

How the choice may change you: Consider how the decision may affect your professional life and long-term goals. For example, if you're thinking about whether to accept a promotion, consider how your new role might improve your soft skills.

Consider your options

Once you set aside time to think about the decision, you can consider what your options are. Try to brainstorm possible options that work for your situation. You may want to list all of them and cross them off using a process of elimination. For example, if you're considering changing your career, you can consider various professions that interest you and rank them based on the credentials you already have.

Ask for a different perspective

After you've thoroughly eliminated the options you don't want to consider and are about to make your choice, it's beneficial to gain some additional perspective on the situation. consider asking a trusted friend, colleague or family member to help you determine whether you're making the right decision for you. Try asking for a perspective from someone who's not directly affected by your decision to avoid bias. Others may consider things you didn't and can provide you with valuable insights.

Make a decision.

Based on your evaluation, you can choose the option that best aligns with your criteria and goals. You should also consider your intuition and feelings when making a decision, as they can indicate how comfortable and confident you are with your choice. You should make a decision that makes you happy and excited, not stressed or anxious.

Plan your action steps.

Once you have made a decision, you should create a plan to achieve your career goal. You should break down your goal into smaller and manageable steps, and assign deadlines and resources to each step. For example, if your goal is to become a web developer, some of your steps might include taking online courses, building a portfolio, networking with other developers and applying for jobs.

Review and adjust.

Finally, you should monitor your progress and evaluate your results as you execute your plan. You should celebrate your achievements and learn from your challenges. You should also be flexible and adaptable to any changes or obstacles that might arise along the way. You can always revisit your decision and make adjustments if necessary.