Career Tips: Why You NEED to Keep Your Options Open For Job Search Success

Career Tips: Why You NEED to Keep Your Options Open For Job Search Success

Elizabeth Benu,

There is always an allure to get into something more exciting than your current career. Sometimes you feel that it would have been better if you had been a primary school teacher instead of a lecturer or a banker instead of an accountant. If your career options are closed here are reasons why you should keep them open.

Speaking to Lenah Okero, a HR Officer at Teachers Service Commission, she says that there is no problem with someone choosing a career path with many options.

“I do not see the danger of keeping your career options open,” Ms. Okero adds.

Is there any problem with someone jumping from one industry to another, say a sales representative exploring FMCG, music, advertising and media industries? I inquire

“It is not a bad idea. By doing this you are getting exposed to all fields. Getting knowledge is a good thing for career advancement,” Ms. Okero says

What can help an entry level employee make a good decision on the career options she/he is willing to take? I probe further

“It is important that you talk to someone; more so a mentor. One should also do extensive research. Doing this allows you to make an informed decision into which career option you want to invest in,” she advices.

She is keen to highlight that open career options may bring little complications.

“If a lawyer for example feels that they want to be in the media industry. They will first of all require academic qualifications. This will set you a step back in your career,” she explains.

Ms Okero also adds that it is a great idea to explore other options.

“When you are in school you will probably do a course together with your friends so that you get into the same industry. After a while in the industry you feel uncomfortable and sad after realizing you are not good in that industry. It is time to do what makes you happy.”

She also adds that there are people who have a bachelor in education but they ended up as bankers because they were good at it.

And how would you know what makes you happy?

“Ask yourself, what makes me perform in this job? What motivates me every morning when I wake up to go to work? If you feel like your job is the same old thing with no excitement, then it is no longer working out for you. It is time to venture into another option,” she says.

“A career is like a business, if you find that you are good in something else other than what you are doing right now, spread the risk and invest in it. Do not put all your eggs in one basket,” she advices.

Her advice to young employees is:

“Keeping your career options open allows you to go for what makes you happy. Be a go- getter and do not procrastinate. Do not keep saying ‘tomorrow I will’ when ‘today you can’,” she concludes.

Are you willing to keep your career options open?

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