Careers materials

‘I don’t know what I want to do’ is one of the most common phrases we hear as Careers Advisors. Don’t worry! It’s normal not to know what you want to do. For most people, their ‘career’ develops over time, as they figure out what they’re good at, what they enjoy and what opportunities are out there. Most people have several different careers over their working life so don’t focus too much on the big question ‘what am I going to do with my life?’ Let’s just concentrate on the next step! Think ‘evolution’, rather than ‘master plan’.

People explore, and make choices in different ways. It’s like going to a supermarket. Some people have it all planned out, take a list of what they need and stick to it. Others go with no list but a fair idea of what they like, then see what’s there, what’s on offer, or new things they can try. 

Both approaches are ok. There’s no right or wrong answer, and it’s the same with your ‘career’ – the only person who can tell if it feels right is you.

This guide contains a number of suggestions for ways to reflect on what is important to you, what skills you have (or need) and what jobs you could explore.

If you work through some of the ideas in this guide you should start to build a picture of some jobs or careers which you might enjoy and are a good match for you.

www.prospects.ac.uk/planner

launchyourcareer.com//quiz

nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/skills-assessment

www.ucas.com/explore

discoveruni.gov.uk/

successatschool.org/advice

CV - Five key principles 

1. Relevance
2. Order
3. Format
4. Attention to detail
5. Letter

See Resources page for further information on CVs and covering letters

www.ncl.ac.uk/careers/applications/cv/#writing

Improve your skills

https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/find-a-course/the-skills-toolkit

Distance and online courses

www.open.ac.uk/