OFW guide: How to choose the right career

Landing a job in your dream company is great but do you really enjoy the work assigned to you? The site Self Growth suggests that when it comes to careers, people should make the "most powerful choice" or they'll be sorry for the rest of their lives. A wrong career choice will lead to more job seeking in the near future. Meanwhile, the news site US News Money compiled some tips to help people make a good career choice. (1) Identify your talents By identifying your talents, you can match potential jobs where you would excel because you will be doing work that is almost effortless on your part. Life will also become easier for you because you like what you are doing. Even though you could learn other skills, this will seem more like work and it's better to stick to your talents to enjoy what you're doing. (2) Check out your work style Do you find it easier to submit things while working at home or do you prefer being in an office setting? These are working styles you should consider before you apply for a job. Identifying your work style allows you to choose a job where you will have no conflict with the company's work culture. (3) Where do you enjoy working? Before you get to the office, you will have to travel. This will be an everyday routine that you may either love or hate depending on your work location preference. So think about it. Are you comfortable with the area that your workplace is in? Do you find the area too crowded? Are you fine travelling long distances or do you prefer a 5 minute walk? Base your career choice on your preferences and avoid things that would make you sick of work. (4) Extrovert or introvert? Some jobs are suited for extroverts – people who are comfortable working with others – while others prefer an introverted job which has less dealings with others. If you find that you are more of the other, then it would be a good idea to choose a career line where your personality will flourish. (5) Consider social life Are you someone who can commit to a job which requires you to answer the call of duty even beyond working hours? Or do you prefer to leave everything at the workplace after your shift has ended and enjoy your time without having to worry about work? Some people enjoy the former, and some the latter. It's all up to you but if you like to have a better work-life balance then choosing a job that ends after your shift is the way to go. (6) Giving back If you are an advocate for a certain social or ecological cause that will benefit people or the environment, you might want to consider jobs that allow you to give back to your chosen cause. Knowing that your efforts are going to make a difference in another's life will allow you to excel rapidly. (7) Do you prefer being in public? A job that allows you to give public statements via press releases and other events entails a lot of responsibility. You may become famous not only in your local neighborhood but also on a national level when you release company statements that affect the nation. If you like this, find a company that offers you a job where you can stand in the limelight. (8) Are you stressproof? For some, the more stress they are under, the better they perform. On the other hand, others turn-tail the moment they are confronted with a problem that has a certain amount of stress and pressure that comes with it. If you are the latter, you should go for a job which has a more laid-back working environment. (9) Are you all about the money? Money is a big factor when choosing a job. Whether you are single, married, a family man or hoping to start a business money will matter. However, money is not just the only thing to consider even though it is indeed a deciding factor in most career choices. You have to put into mind though that your financial status and needs may change from time to time. You need to think things through especially about salary offers from jobs. - Andrei Medina, VVP, GMA News