How to Identify and Pursue Your Ideal Career Path
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How to Identify and Pursue Your Ideal Career Path

Published Date: 12/05/2025 | Last Update: 12/08/2025 | Written By : Editorial Team
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Finding your dream job can seem impossible.

The shocking truth…

Only 9% of workers are in their dream job. That means that 91% of the working population is stuck in a job they're not completely satisfied with.

The good news?

Finding your dream job is easier than you think. It just requires a few tips and a plan.

This article will give you the steps you need to find the perfect career for you.

What you'll learn:

  1. The wrong way most people find their careers
  2. How to learn what you really want to do
  3. Steps to finding your ideal job
  4. The biggest mistakes in finding the right career

The wrong way most people find their careers

Most people's career choices are uninformed.

Choosing a major by the age of 18. Accepting jobs because of the salary. Following careers their parents suggested.

Ten years later they're wondering where it all went wrong.

This is backed up by studies that show about 66% of workers have some form of career regret. Regret about not asking for a raise, staying too long in the same role, not prioritising work-life balance, etc.

But here's the thing…

It doesn't have to be like that.

Whether someone is looking for jobs in Tucson AZ with Afni Careers or careers in a completely different state, the process for finding the right career is the same.

How to learn what you really want to do

This is where most people get stuck.

They know they're unhappy with their current situation. They know they want to do something different. But they don't know what that "something" is.

Breaking through the confusion requires a few steps…

Identify your core values

Values are more important than salary when it comes to job satisfaction. Someone who values creativity will be bored in a corporate environment that squashes that creativity. Someone who values stability will be miserable in a startup company with an uncertain future.

Ask yourself:

  1. What type of work environment would feel energising for you?
  2. What achievements have you felt the most pride over in your career?
  3. What activities make you lose track of time when you're focused on them?

This will help reveal what matters most to you.

Assess your natural strengths

Strengths are different than skills.

Skills are learned. Strengths come naturally and are things that you feel like you're good at without trying.

Pay attention to what comes easy to you.

What tasks do people come to you constantly for help with? What work do you never need to force yourself to do?

These will point towards what careers will be a good fit.

Research realistic options

Dreaming about careers is a good start. But you need to be realistic.

Research actual job descriptions. Look at the salary ranges. Read about the day-to-day responsibilities.

This way you'll be in the know about what the job is really like instead of daydreaming about something that seems glamorous from the outside but would make you miserable in reality.

Steps to finding your ideal job

Once you have your target in mind it's time to take action.

Here's the winning strategy…

Step 1: Close the skills gap

Dream jobs require qualifications.

This is just how it is.

The average age of someone who changes their career is 39. By this age, people have gained transferable skills which will help them in any industry. But in order to change their field they still need additional training.

This can include:

  1. Online certification courses
  2. Part-time courses during working hours
  3. Volunteering to gain experience
  4. Bootcamps for specific industries

This investment will pay off when you can land a role that will be fulfilling the way you need.

Step 2: Build a strategic network

Networking is tiring. But it is effective.

A lot of positions are never advertised online. They're simply filled by referrals and connections. Building relationships with people in industries you're interested in will open doors that a simple job search board just can't.

Connect on LinkedIn. Attend events in your target industry. Reach out to people for informational interviews. The inside knowledge you'll gain from these conversations can help you with understanding the roles, companies, and opportunities that are available.

Step 3: Tailor every application

Generic applications get no responses.

Tailor your resume to speak to the role you're applying for. Address the specific company's challenges in your cover letter. Hiring managers will take notice when you put in this kind of effort.

It will take you longer to complete this. But quality over quantity every time.

Step 4: Prepare for the long game

Career changes are not overnight.

It takes most people months of consistent effort to find their dream job. You just need to stay focused on the goal while taking small steps towards the end goal every week.

Little changes add up to a massive change.

Avoiding the common mistakes in finding the right career

Some missteps can send your best career plans out of the window. The following is what to look out for…

Chasing money

Higher pay feels good. But it won't make you happy if you're miserable in a role.

There's plenty of research out there that consistently shows when our basic needs are met additional income has diminishing returns on happiness. Purpose and work-life balance are far more important for long-term happiness.

Ignored red flags

Trust those gut feelings you have when you're being interviewed.

Company culture problems don't just disappear after you're hired. Bad management won't suddenly get better because you decided to put up with it. If something doesn't feel right during the application process it usually means something is off.

Waiting for the perfect job

There is no such thing as the perfect job.

Every role will have its downsides. Every company has some flaws somewhere. Waiting for the perfect job means waiting forever. You need to find something that is good enough that it is aligned with your values and that will allow you to grow.

Comparing yourself to others

Every single person's path looks different.

The issue with social media is that it's so easy to compare your career and path to other people and feel like you're not where you should be. But what you see are just their highlight reels. The struggles, the failures, the doubts no one shares.

Look at your own progress instead of comparing yourself to others.

Putting it all together

Finding your dream job will take effort.

There's no way to skip past the self-reflection process. You can't jump over the skills building part. There's no magic solution for overnight success.

But if you follow the process it will work.

Here's the quick recap:

  1. Identify your core values and natural strengths
  2. Research realistic career options
  3. Close skills gaps with targeted learning
  4. Build a professional network strategically
  5. Apply for jobs with intention and customisation
  6. Be patient and work consistently

The 91% of people who are in an unsatisfying role didn't fail because they weren't talented enough. They failed because they didn't take the time to figure out what they wanted.

Don't fall into the same trap.

Get started on this process today. Ask yourself the hard questions. Take small steps towards the ideal career. And watch how clear the path will become with every action you take.