When some professionals start looking for a new job, they know exactly what they are hoping to find. They can clearly envision what kind of role feels like a good match or the right step forward, allowing them to move confidently in that direction.

However, it isn’t uncommon to be a bit uncertain about your direction. When this happens, you might start shuttling off resumes without believing strongly that the position could be right for you. Essentially, you begin to count on chance to be your guide, figuring you’ll know what best when it shows up.

The problem with the latter approach is not just that the results tend to be subpar, but it also wastes a lot of time. That’s what makes figuring out where you want to go is so important. While that may seem like a daunting task, it doesn’t have to be. Here’s what you need to do to gain some direction in your career path as quickly and efficiently as possible.

List Your Favorite Responsibilities

If you aren’t sure where you need to head next in your career, you probably aren’t entirely thrilled with where you are right now. Most people don’t contemplate moving on if they are completely satisfied in their role, but your lack of certainty could suggest that you aren’t entirely unsatisfied either.

In order to gain some direction, you need a starting point. One of the easiest ways to begin is to think about your current and past roles and identify specific duties or skills you enjoy at least on some level. By doing so, you’ll start to outline what a job you would want looks like, effectively narrowing it down one task or skill at a time.

Write Down Your Least Favorite Duties

After you’ve created a list of what you enjoy, it’s time to examine the other side of the equation. Take a moment to identify specific duties or skills that you would prefer to avoid in the future or, at least, want to keep to a minimum.

While you might not be able to sidestep certain responsibilities entirely, as you create your list, you are figuring out what you don’t want to be the focus on your next position. This will help you narrow down your choices going forward.

Create Focused Job Searches

Now that you have a better idea of what you do and don’t want, it’s time to explore. Start searching for positions that list the duties and skills you enjoy as core responsibilities and see what sorts of opportunities pop up. Then, take a look at each job ad and see if it resonates with you, even if you aren’t fully qualified today.

As you find positions that sound enticing, you are starting to gain some direction for your career. If a particular field or job title keeps piquing your interest, you can use that as a guide. Review what else you would need to do to qualify for those roles (if you aren’t already) and take your career down that path. Or, if you already meet the requirements, create a targeted resume, and submit it.

By following the tips above, you can define what kind of job you want to go after it. If you’d like to learn more about opportunities that might be right for you, the team at CPS Recruitment can help. Contact us to find out about our open positions today and see how our services can make it easier than ever to gain some direction in your career.