Which job or career should I transition into?

I get asked this quite a lot.

I wish I knew the answer! It’s one of the biggest and most important questions in the world! And I’ve never seen a great way of finding out your ideal job or career….

However:

I have a linkedin course about Project Management careers https://www.linkedin.com/learning/how-to-launch-a-career-in-project-management

and a blog post about careers in Project Management https://chriscroft.co.uk/project-management-career-good-idea-not/,

and if you know, (or think maybe) that training / speaking would suit you then you can learn all about it, (or try it for a relatively small cost and find out), here: www.successfultrainers.com

and a blog post of career advice for kids leaving school https://chriscroft.co.uk/career-advice-to-school-pupils/,

and my Seven Paths To Happiness book is about the bigger question of whether being self employed or going up the corporate ladder etc will make you happy https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CWMFX389,

and I have made a Career Type Questionnaire that is worth a look https://chriscroft.co.uk/what-type-of-career/ ,

and also I’ve been thinking and writing about what I have learned from my career decisions, good and bad, so far: https://chriscroft.co.uk/10-career-decisions-20-happiness-principles-life/

and also this: https://www.chriscroft.co.uk/has-my-career-been-luck-or-stupidity-or-bravery/

and a good starting point is to think about your life purpose, your Ikigai, and here is more information on how to do that: https://chriscroft.co.uk/whats-your-life-purpose/

Other thoughts

• Have you tried everything in your current job? Have you worked as hard as you can, and done all the training you can? And volunteered for everything you could?
• Maybe the job IS right for you but it’s the boss or the culture that’s the problem? Could you try the same job but somewhere else?
• Don’t settle! Life is too short to do a job that you are not happy with…
• Don’t be afraid to talk to your boss, or your bosses boss, or maybe the top person in the organisation – and say you want to do something different (ideally you would ask for something specific, like to get into international sales, or set up your own sub-division). They might just say yes! And their answer will tell you a lot….
• Experiment – within your job, and with other jobs, and in parallel to your job in your spare time – to find out what your ideal job might be
• Don’t be held back by the past – however much experience or training you may have, if it’s not making you happy (and isn’t going to) then you have to change paths. The only question is what will give you the best future, from now going forwards
• You are capable of more than you realise – don’t be held back by “I can’t do that” or “I’ll never be able to do that”. If you WANT to do it, you can probably learn it. At least give it a try!

…but I will admit that I don’t know the answer to “what’s the best career for me?” – and I still haven’t seen a computer that answers that question either.

I suppose, final thought, you could ask Chat GPT to look at your CV and anything else you’ve got that talks about you, your skills and interests, and ask if for suggestions for careers/jobs that would make you both successful and happy; it would be interesting to see what it says…..!

PS – I did ask ChatGPT, using myself as an example, and it absolutely nailed the answer. In the first paragraph it suggest things I’m already doing (but it doesn’t seem to know that) and in the second paragraph it suggests something I used to do (operations manager) and two other jobs I partly did, and was good at (project manager and sales) – uncanny.

“if Chris Croft wasn’t a speaker and trainer, what would be a good job for him, bearing in mind his interests and skills and personality”

ChatGPT:

Considering Chris Croft’s expertise in time management, productivity, and effective communication skills, a potential alternative career for him could be a management consultant or a business coach. In these roles, he could utilize his knowledge to help businesses enhance their efficiency, optimize their workflows, and improve overall performance. His strong interpersonal skills and ability to motivate others would make him well-suited to guide individuals and organizations towards achieving their goals. Additionally, a career in writing self-help books or creating online courses on productivity could also align with his interests and skills.

Chris Croft:

“that’s great, thank you. And what if Chris had to move away from the whole area of personal development, so he couldn’t do any coaching or writing of business books, or consultancy, what other careers might be be suitable for?”

ChatGPT:

If Chris Croft had to transition away from personal development-related roles like coaching, writing, or consultancy, there are still various career paths that could align with his skills and interests. Some alternative career options for Chris could include:

1. Project Manager: With his expertise in time management and organization, Chris could excel in overseeing and executing various projects within different industries.
2. Operations Manager: His knowledge of optimizing processes and improving efficiency could make him well-suited for a role in managing and streamlining operations within a company.
3. Data Analyst: Given his analytical mindset and attention to detail, Chris could thrive in a role that involves interpreting data, identifying trends, and providing strategic insights to drive business decisions.
4. Sales Manager: Chris’s strong communication skills and ability to motivate others could be beneficial in leading sales teams, developing strategies, and achieving revenue targets.
5. Event Coordinator: Leveraging his organizational skills and attention to detail, Chris could excel in planning and executing events, conferences, or seminars.
6. Human Resources Specialist: His understanding of interpersonal dynamics and effective communication could be valuable in a role focused on recruitment, training, and employee relations within an organization.

These career options could provide Chris with new and fulfilling opportunities outside the realm of personal development while still allowing him to apply his unique skill set and personality traits.