Choose your career target by compiling and narrowing a list of career interests.

We are on the track for a new career. In last week’s post, we examined your values, strengths, and passions. When your answers to these questions remain relatively consistent over some time, you are ready to implement your career change.

Taking the answers to the previous questions into consideration, what jobs come to mind?

Make a list of those job titles, skills, or tasks. These are your initial search terms.
Search on those terms on Indeed.com and onetonline.gov. Read the job descriptions that pop up. Save the ones that interest you.
What do the jobs you save have in common?
In what ways are they different?
Is there a progression among the positions?
Do you need to narrow your target more?
Can you see yourself applying for, interviewing for, landing, and working at these positions?
If the jobs are all of the same type, and you feel certain of your direction, it’s time to move on.
Look up the short list of jobs on Salary.com to determine the likely salary range for your new career.
Do you need education, certification, or other knowledge or experience for your new career?
Is there a way to “try before you buy” through shadowing, volunteering, or networking?
Can you find a mentor in your new career, someone willing to show you the ropes?