How to make good career decisions

It can be difficult making decisions that you know will affect your future. This decision making toolkit gives you steps to help you through the process.

We all need to make decisions and choices about our careers at different points of our lives. The decision you make now can affect your future career path.

Identify the decision you need to make

Get started by writing down the decision you need to make.

The decision I need to make is...

This will help you keep it clear in your mind.

I need to make my decision by...

If you have a deadline for making the decision, write that date down.

Accept that no decision is perfect

Remember that most career decisions are not permanent. Many people change careers, gain new qualifications or move into different jobs over their lives.

Focus on making the best decision you can with the information you have now.

Think about you

When you make decisions about your future career think about yourself and what is important in your life.

My priorities are...

What is most important to you? Is it having promotion opportunities, wage, a work-life balance or something else?

My values are...

What matters to you? Think about courses and careers that match your values. For example, if you care about the climate, you could look for options that help protect it.

My likes and interests are...

Sometimes your interests can give you clues about the direction to consider.

My main skills are...

The skills you have from life, education, interests and work can give you ideas for what you'd like to do in the future. Get help with identifying your skills and strengths.

My personality type is...

Take our Buzz Quiz to find out your personality type.

My preferred way to learn is...

You might like classroom study, or online study, or prefer to learn on the job.

My decision-making style is...

Knowing your decision-making style can help you avoid mistakes and improve how you make decisions. Take our Decision Making Quiz to find out your decision-making style.

Find out the options you have to choose from

Research the available options. If you don't know where to start, we can help:

Plan your Career contains options for different stages of life including options at 16 and 18, options for career changers, redundancy, returners and graduates
Career Match Quiz can help you find careers that suit your skills and interests
Job Information gives you detailed information on what is involved in different careers including wages and the qualifications and subjects you need
Future Jobs Wales tells you what jobs are in demand in Wales and your local area
Year 9 subject options can help you decide on the right subjects to take if you are still in school
Contact us to talk through your options. Our experienced and qualified careers advisers can give you information, advice and guidance about your next steps and career options

List the pros and cons of each option

You can approach a pros and cons list in a few different ways. Try one or some of these for the options you are considering:

Write a list of the positives (pros) and negatives (cons)
Rate your feelings about each option, positive feelings on the pro side, and negative feelings on the con side. For example, 'worried', on the con side, and 'excited' on the pro side
Determine how well the options line up with your priorities, values, interests and learning style. Put the ones that line up with the option on the pro side, and ones that conflict on the con side
Think about the practical things. Ask yourself things like, "Can I afford this option?" and "Can I travel to it on public transport?"
Consider the opportunities and the risks. For example, use Future Jobs Wales to find out the demand for jobs now and in the future
Check your facts. Ask yourself, "Is this a fact or am I assuming that its true?"

Narrow down the options

Whether its deciding on a career, what course or subjects to take, or whether to stay in education or look for a job or apprenticeship, it can be tough to narrow down the options:

Use your pros and cons list to remove options with a lot of cons, or that conflict with your values or priorities. Be aware of your reaction when you remove it from the list. For example, if you feel bad that its removed then maybe you need to re-think
Talk with family and people you trust about your options. They shouldn't be making the decision for you, but they can give you a fresh view
Discuss your ideas with people who specialise in helping you like a careers adviser, or teacher (if you are in school)

Imagine your future self having chosen each option. This can help you see options with a long term view. For each option ask:

How will I feel about this option in 10 minutes?

How will I feel about this option in 1 year?

How will I feel about this option in 10 years?

Make a back up plan (just in case)

It's always a good idea to make a back up plan, a Plan B. Sometimes your first choice doesn't work out. For example, a course may be cancelled, an apprenticeship may not have vacancies or your circumstances might change.

Having another option means that you will be prepared if your first choice is no longer possible.

Act on your decision

You've made your decision. Now is the time to act on your decision. For example, this could mean applying for a job, enrolling on a course or putting down your subject choices for next year. Taking the first step could even be as simple as contacting a college or university to find out about open days.

The most important thing is to take that first step.