How to know if you’re following the right career path (and what to do if you’re not)

Whether you’re fresh out of uni or have been working for a while, it’s pretty normal to wonder if you’re on the right career path.

New graduates might fret that they didn’t do the right course to ensure success in the jobs market, while those with a bit more experience in the world of work can feel burned out and disillusioned by their current role.

Choosing the right career is a huge challenge. It’s often pressurised and can feel really confusing, especially for young professionals and recent graduates.

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Brits are working longer these days too, with the Pensions Act 2007 increasing the State Pension age to 66 between 2024 and 2026. It will rise again to age 67 between 2034 and 2036, and to the age of 68 between 2044 and 2046.

Given that many UK workers will be employed for 40 or more years, it matters that you are happy in your work. It’s also important to remember that times have very much changed, and the era of a job for life is most definitely over.

These days the typical employee will actually have multiple jobs. And many will pivot into other careers too, as interests and preferences change. After all, what you wanted to do at 22 may be very different from what your 45-year-old self would like.

So it makes sense to do a bit of planning every now and then. Think of it like a career spring clean, where you ask yourself a few key questions, and then throw out all the stuff that simply isn’t serving you anymore. Here are the steps to take.

Do some self-analysis

Firstly, what do you actually like to do? Take a look at the hobbies, activities, and things in your life that excite you. Ask yourself what you’re good at as well. Maybe you’re really great at making plans or writing snappy copy for social media, or perhaps your skills are in people management or negotiation.

You should also ask yourself what is of most importance to you about your working life. Is it the ability to be remote, is it a good work-life balance – or perhaps a decent salary is your biggest motivator.

Others may be led by things like the social impact of a company, or the opportunities it allows for creativity. These things tend to closely tie into your own values system, and it’s important to align your values with what you do for work, because this is crucial for long-term job satisfaction.

Explore your career options

You’ve worked out what you’re good at, and what appeals to you. The next step is to look at potential career options and companies you’d like to work for. You can do this in a number of ways. Firstly, check out professional job websites and platforms to research companies and see what their past and current employees are saying.

Look at networking events both on and offline and attend the ones that interest you. If you’re looking to make a sideways career move within your current company or industry, asking to shadow someone in a role you’re interested in can be a great idea. You’ll get to see what the job is really like, which will help you make a decision quicker.

Or, if your company offers mentoring, this can be a good way to get the benefit of someone else’s wisdom.

Of course, you may want to do something completely different to your current job. In this case, you might consider gaining hands-on experience through internships, or you may need to look into some learning and development opportunities to provide you with the new skills you need.

Take action on what you need to do

In order to avoid biting off more than you can chew, set some goals over a period of a year – or more, if you need it.

Career changes don’t happen overnight, so break down the process into short-term and long-term goals. For instance, to begin with, you might focus on developing a new network or reaching out to a mentor.

Next, think about the steps you need to take for your continual learning and professional development. This could involve taking some online courses, certifications, or even a degree programme.

You could also set yourself some goals around taking on side projects, volunteering, or additional part-time work to get you where you want to go.

It’s really important to keep in mind that planning your career is a journey. This isn’t always a linear process and it is okay to have ups and downs as well as periods of reflection where you assess what you’ve done, and measure how it is helping you to accomplish your career dreams.

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