What Job Should I Do?!

Some people know from an early age what they want to do as a job when they leave school, but for others, it can be harder to decide. If you are about to leave school, have just taken your GCSEs or are considering what course to take at college, here are a few ideas that might help you find the right job for your personality, strengths and interests.

How do I know what job is right for me?

What are my strengths & skills?

Are you a practical person, good with your hands, who enjoys fixing things? Or are you more academically minded, good with numbers or words, and think you would work better in an office environment, perhaps making the decisions that affect how a business operates? Are you a good team player, or prefer working independently? Do you like solving problems, or leading discussions?

If you know what your particular strengths and skills are, then you will have a better idea of your career options and what job you would be a good fit for.

What are my passions & interests?

Do you have any interests that you think you could explore more in your career? Perhaps you are good with computers or technology, enjoy playing sports or looking after animals? Maybe you like making things, messing about with car engines or being creative in some way – writing, drawing or taking photographs. Anyone who can follow a passion or interest and turn it into a job or career may enjoy their job more than other people.

What are my plans & priorities?

If you know what your long-term goals are – and if you are just leaving school then don’t worry, you might not – then that might help you to choose a career. Are you motivated by financial rewards or job satisfaction? Do you want to work abroad, or plan on starting a family at some point? Perhaps you want to start your own business one day.

All these things should be factored into your career choices, as it is important to find a job matched to your professional targets, plans or personal priorities.

What about my qualifications & education?

If you have already got some qualifications, like GCSEs, then these can be a good indicator of what you excel at. Anyone who has high grades in Maths or Science might be suited to a more technical type of job, such as engineering, while someone who has done well in English could be better at a more administrative job. However, passing Maths and English at GCSE is often seen as a minimum requirement for some jobs and apprenticeships. If you have an NVQ Level 1 or 2, then you have already specialised to some degree in a job area.

There are also other things to consider, such as what kind of environment you think you would most like to work in – inside in an office or workshop, or outside, maybe on a construction site? Or perhaps you fancy being on the road and seeing different parts of the country as part of your job?   

Go Construct has a handy career explorer that finds construction roles most suited to your interests, skills and qualifications.

What jobs are in demand in the UK?

Skills shortages exist in some job areas, and the world of work is always changing. For example, more job opportunities now exist in sustainability than were available 5 or 10 years ago. The following kinds of jobs are currently experiencing high demand in the UK:

• Software developers
• Architects
• Health workers
• Cyber security
• Physical scientists

What are some cool construction job ideas?

Click on the job profiles below to find out more about some cool construction careers.

• BIM Co-ordinator
• Crane Operator
• Ecologist
• Geo-Technical Engineer
• Interior Designer
• Landscape Architect
• Solar Panel Installer
• Sustainability Manager

If you like the sound of any of these, then you might be able to get work experience at an employer to find out more about what the job involves.