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Are you wondering if there is a perfect job out there for you?  Not sure how to find the career that will really be spot on for you? Try this simple 'perfect career quiz' to assess what would tick all the boxes for you.

The secret of the perfect career lies that in fact you already know what it is!  It is not a matter of scanning the horizons - or the internet - and hoping you will spot something that looks right.  There are lots of jobs out there you could consider, but unless you start with you, how can you assess them?

You need to start by looking within yourself.  You already know what you like and dislike, what would please or frustrate you on the job, what would inspire and enthuse you.  All you need to do is to sit down and tease out the detail and then you will have a template that you can use to measure new career ideas you are considering.

So try this 'perfect career quiz' by asking yourself the following questions:

Where would you be based?  

At home? Office-based? Something non-conventional like a theatre? Outdoors? In the city or in the country? Same place each day or travelling round?

Who would you be working with?  

What kind of people would your colleagues be?  And what kind of clients (if any)? Would you be working mainly on your own or as part of a team?

What kind of hours would you be working?

Standard 9-5?  Flexible with early starts and late finishes? Shift hours?  Weekends with time off in the week? Freedom to work when you feel energised?

What kind of work would you be doing?

Analytical, brain work?  Something creative?  Practical hands-on stuff?  Physically active?  Dealing with lots of people?  Teaching/training?  Making systems work or events happen? Lots of variety in your day or a clear routine?

Who would you be working for?  

Small or large organisation?  Big city corporation? Charity/voluntary sector?  Public sector? Health or education? Or would you prefer to be your own boss?

Rewards and promotion prospects?  

How much do you need to earn and how much do you want to earn?  What other rewards and incentives would be meaningful to you? What about promotion prospects - how important are they for you?

Don't rush through these questions with superficial answers.  They are really getting to the heart of what is important for you in your work.  If you find yourself in a job or career where there is a stark contrast between what you are doing and what you have answered to the questions above, you will probably find the work wearing and frustrating.

So take the time to build up a picture of your ideal job.  Don't worry if you think it is a fantasy exercise.  How can you find the perfect job if you have not defined what 'perfect' is for you? Once you have answered the quiz questions you will have a way of measuring the career change options you are considering.  You may not get the perfect match first time, but at least answering the perfect career quiz will let you know that you are moving towards your goal.

And something else that will help you move towards your career change goal is my free Career Change Blueprint http://www.how-to-change-careers.com/career-change-blueprint.html. It is a simple, step-by-step guide to career change success. You will also find many other tips and strategies to help you as you change careers when you take a look around the How To Change Careers website.

From Cherry Douglas - Your Career Change Guide

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