Choosing a CAREER 

People entering the workforce today need a good basic education and a variety of work and social experiences.

          Think about what you want to do for a career and make plans to achieve your ambition with a job you enjoy.

          By being a generalist with a variety of skills you have a greater prospect of a long term career.

          By joining a large organisation you will have a greater chance of worthwhile training for a successful career.

A handful of tips to help you choose a career

*  What do you enjoy doing the most?

          What are you good at? 

          List the things you do best.

          What type of work would give you the most satisfaction?

* Seek advice

          What is your ambition?

          Seek advice from successful people and career counsellors.

          Seek a mentor, or two.

*  Get work experience

          Before you decide on a career get as much work experience as possible in a variety of jobs.    

          Take on holiday jobs, temporary jobs or volunteer jobs. It will teach you much about people and occupations and it will look good on your curriculum vitae.

* Upgrade any skills needed

          Overcome your weaknesses.

          Be prepared to study to upgrade your qualifications.  

          Learn new skills at a technical institute, or a university, or become an apprentice to a skilled tradesperson.

          If your ambition is to own your own business, work in a similar business to gain experience and save money for your venture.         

* Be prepared to start at the bottom

          Take any job at the start. The most important thing is to get work to show what you are capable of doing.

          Many large organisations have worthwhile training programmes. The armed forces, for example, spend most of their time training.   

          Make the most of any contacts you have to get started in an organisation where you would like to find work.

          Research organisations and make an appointments to see if any positions are becoming vacant.

          Be prepared to take on a mundane or a temporary job to get started and to demonstrate what you are capable of doing.  

-Geoffrey Moss (mossassociates.co.nz)

“The only job you start at the top is when you dig a hole.”

Source: No Job! What Now? published by Moss Associates Ltd, New Zealand and Cengage Learning Asia as an e-book. Also available from Amazon.com and VitalSource bookshelf.

          For those in need, this book is available FREE online from mossassociates.co.nz