6 Steps to Choose a Career You’ll Love (Complete Step-by-Step Guide)

 

Choosing a career can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re not sure where to start. The good news is that career exploration doesn’t have to be confusing or stressful. By using a few free tools and following a simple, six-step process, you can gain clarity about your strengths, interests, work values, and the types of careers that truly fit you. This guide will walk you through each step in a clear and practical way so you can make confident decisions about your career path. My hope is that by the end, you’ll feel more prepared—and more excited—to choose a career you’ll love. If you have any questions along the way, feel free to reach out. I’m here to help.

Step 1: Identify Your Interests

Start by taking the free O*NET Interest Profiler.

Link: https://www.mynextmove.org/explore/ip

This assessment helps you understand the types of activities that naturally interest you. After completing it, click “Jobs that match your interests” to see career options aligned with your results.

Step 2: Identify Your Core Work Values

Your interests tell you what you like to do.
Your work values tell you what you need in a job to feel happy and fulfilled.

Here are six common work values people often look for:

• Achievement – Feeling proud of what you accomplish
• Independence – Having freedom in how you work
• Recognition – Being appreciated for your contributions
• Relationships – Working with friendly, supportive people
• Support – Having strong leadership and helpful resources
• Working Conditions – A comfortable, safe, and predictable environment

You don’t need to overthink it, just notice which ones matter most to you.

If you prefer an interactive activity, try this value-sorting tool:
https://www.careeronestop.org/toolkit/training/work-values.aspx

Choose your top three values.

These will guide your career decisions and help you recognize which work environments are truly a good fit. 

Step 3: Explore Jobs That Match Your Values

Search for any job you’re curious about here:

https://www.mynextmove.org/

Use the “I want to be a…” search bar.
When you open a job page, take a look at sections like:

• Interests
• Values
• Work Styles
• Skills
• Personality

I recommend choosing at least two occupations that match both your interests and your values, and exploring choices.

Step 4: Understand Job Zones (Education & Training Levels)

Every career requires a different amount of preparation. O*NET organizes this into five Job Zones.

Learn about them here:
https://www.onetonline.org/help/online/zones?

Examples:

• Job Zone 1: Little or no preparation needed
• Job Zone 3: Moderate training or education
• Job Zone 5: Master’s degree or higher

Compare your current job zone to your future goal. This helps you understand the steps you may need to take.

Step 5: Research Each Occupation in Depth

Look up each career using the O*NET database:

https://www.onetonline.org/

Pay attention to:

• Daily tasks
• Skills and knowledge
• Working conditions
• Salary
• Job outlook
• Required education
• Advantages and challenges

This gives you a realistic picture of what the job is actually like, not just the title.

Step 6: Reflect on What You Learned

Reflection turns information into clarity.

Ask yourself:

• Does this career match my interests?
• Does it support my top work values?
• What do I find appealing—or unappealing?
• Which job feels like it fits my personality and long-term goals?
• What surprised me during the exploration process?

Remember: The goal is clarity, not perfection.

Putting It All Together

By completing the steps above, you will have a clear understanding of:

• Your main interest areas
• Your top work values
• Careers that match your strengths and preferences
• The education or training required
• What the day-to-day work looks like
• How well does each job fit your goals and personality

Thanks so much for stopping by! I’m really glad you’re here.
If you ever want to ask questions or explore more steps, reach out anytime.
I’d love to hear from you.

Ann.