7 Questions to Ask Yourself for Career Alignment

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Are you where you want to be in your career? It’s not uncommon for professionals to feel stuck in their positions and believe there’s no room for growth. Or, maybe you no longer have the excitement and drive to perform well at your job. If unsure about your role, it’s time to start re-designing your career path!

Before you turn in your two weeks' notice, use the following questions to help you make the next move in your career. 

1) What are your proudest career accomplishments?

If you had to choose one of the biggest highlights of your career, what would it be? Maybe it was the sales pitch you created for your company that landed a new client. Or it may have been when you won an award for selling the most houses in your realtor group. Reminisce on your career accomplishments and how they made you feel. Sometimes reflecting on what has energized you the most about a project is a clue as to what you are most passionate about. After picking a few highlights, ask yourself, what was it about each that made it special?

2) What are the benefits and downsides of your career?

When considering a career change, ask yourself what the bright and dark sides of the profession are for you. Once you do that, identify if the downsides have more to do with your particular workplace or the actual core functions of your profession. For example, it’s possible to still love your profession but have it tainted by a toxic work environment. It’s easy to confuse your distaste for the environment with disliking your profession.

3) What are your professional skills?

If you haven’t already, take some time to assess your skills. While most soft skills are transferable across many careers, some hard skills are tailored for certain professions. Think about the skills you possess, how they are currently applied in your position, and how they may benefit you in another career. 

4) Do you want to upskill?

Sometimes, a degree or certification is required to advance in certain careers. If you want to transition into another career, it’s essential to research what skills and education you’ll need. It’s ultimately your decision if you’re willing to invest time and money into upskilling if you’re aiming to switch careers.  However, it’s important to realize that investing in some new skills can pay off in the long run if you are making a drastic career change. Job boards like Indeed, Glassdoor, LinkedIn, and The HBCU Career Center provide many tools to help you learn about different careers.

5) What is my ideal workplace environment?

Many professionals are now considering what type of workplace matches their values, whether a company is remote or in-person, and inclusivity. With this in mind, consider your ideal workplace and research companies within your ideal industry to discover if it’s a good fit.

6) What are my salary expectations?

As you begin your job search, you should have an ideal salary range in mind. Do some research about what your desired profession should pay. What’s the highest salary you’d want? Calculating your current expenses, like housing expenses, car notes, groceries, as well as your financial aspirations, can help you gauge how much you need to earn to support your lifestyle. 

7) What are my long-term professional goals?

While taking on a temporary job to make ends meet or a career break to recharge is okay, stick to what you believe is your “dream job.” Remember, the perfect career is one you’re passionate about, requires the right skills and experiences, and matches your values and aspirations. Ensure that you’re always working towards your career goals, whether currently working in that profession or not.

On the other hand, if you discover that your ideal career leads to burnout and low job satisfaction, it’s okay to redirect your career plan. Sometimes, you won’t know if a profession is a good fit for you until you take a job in that industry. 

Transitioning careers can be an exciting yet nerve-racking experience full of “what ifs.” However, without a career plan in place, it can make it easier to fall off track or land in a field that doesn’t satisfy you. Refer back to these questions throughout your career journey to keep you aligned with your goals and aspirations. 

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