How do I find a new career?

It’s not unusual for people to be unsure of the career path they want to take, and it can be quite a big decision to make, so it’s important you take your time and look into your options first.

There are plenty of careers available that aren’t office based, but it might be helpful to think about what type of environment you would like to work in. For example, would you like to work in a classroom, or outside, in the UK or abroad? Alternatively, are you looking for a promotion within the company you work for now? If that’s the case, you might want to talk things through with your superior and find out if there are any openings you could apply for.

You don’t have to decide on a specific career right now, but it helps if you know the rough direction you want to take. Think about your interests and your personal strengths, and it might lead on from there.

It might help to talk to friends and family about their jobs and careers so you can build up a picture of what’s out there. If anything interests you, you could find out if you can shadow them at work for a day to get a better idea of whether the job is right for you. Additionally, you can take a look at our Careers A-Z. It includes case studies and information about how to get started in certain careers which you might find interesting.

If you still feel really stuck you could try filling out an employment personality questionnaire. These are available from local careers centers, schools and colleges. Prospects also have a really helpful online questionnaire to help you work out the best job for you.

If this gives you any ideas, you might need to think about what skills you need for a particular job. This could involve enrolling on a course, finding work experience, or offering to volunteer in that sector to get your foot in the door.

It might also be worth speaking to an organisation like learndirect about your options. You can call the helpline on 0800 100 900, an advisor there will be able to talk you through possible careers that take your interest and be able to suggest how to go about starting out.