Choosing a career can be a daunting task.  There are now so many different career paths and people no longer stay with one company for their entire life.  Figuring out what job will fulfill you can take lots of time and effort.

The best place to start researching careers is at the Bureau of Labor Statistics in the occupational handbook section ( www.bls.gov ).  The Bureau of Labor Statistics researches different occupations and provides information on salaries, job growth, job descriptions, and related careers.  They update the website each year with the new information they gather from employers and employees.  This website will give you a chance to see what you can expect from a career field and help you narrow your search.

Another helpful tool is to take a personality test.  Many of us have a different perception of ourselves than others have of us.  A personality test will help you distinguish your strengths and weaknesses and some of the tests even suggest career paths that you might be interested in.  One of the most effective tests can be found on the web is the Myers Brigs test.  Most career services centers will offer free tests or you can find them on the web.

For those of us that are looking for a job in the business world, it would be helpful to find a company that fits in with your personality.  Once you get into the business of your choice, you can then explore different career options.  Being open minded might land you in a career path that you originally did not like, but it ended up being the right one for you.

Both researching yourself and different occupations can help your chances of finding the right career for you, but it might take a couple different jobs for you to find your true calling.  When trying to find a career, all you can really do is limit your choices to the best of your ability using the resources you have and then you just have to try an occupation.  Some people will find their dream job their on their first try and it will take 20 jobs for someone else.  The most important thing is to be patient through the process because it is different for everyone and stay positive.  Don’t let your failures during your careers search keep you from finding the one you deserve.