Good Advice
Finding the job you want isn't always easy. When you don't know what job you want, it can seem impossible.

What's a job seeker to do? You can spend hours doing research, along with some serious soul searching, but you may still come up blank.

There are people who can help. Some are pros; some you already know. Either way, they can assist you in answering the age-old question of what to do with your life.

Career Counsellors
Career counsellors can help you shape your career path, including find a job. They rely upon a host of resources, such as personality tests, expert knowledge and experience. If you're really confused, a good career counsellor can help you explore many different career options.

There are career counsellors for every stage of your career and everybudget. School-based counsellors offer career advice to students free of charge. Independent career counsellors or consultants will often
require you to pay an advance fee for a set number of sessions. Others won't limit the number of sessions and will work with you
until you land a job.

The best way to find a skilled, dependable career counsellor is by word of mouth. Ask people you trust for referrals or contact Careers Scotland www.careers-scotland.org.uk or call 0845 8502 502.

Mentors
People frequently find mentors in their workplaces to guide and nurture them in their present position and up the corporate ladder. Even if you don't have a job, you can still have a mentor.

Many colleges and student associations offer mentoring programmes. You can also join a local business or professional association and
inquire about a mentor program. Even if there isn't one, you may still find someone to mentor you informally.

Another idea is to find someone who works in a field that interestsyou. Set up an informational interview. If the two of you click, ask if you can e-mail or phone them from time to time with questions. If you're lucky, it may be the start of a mentoring relationship.

Friends and Family
Everyone you know probably has an opinion about what you should be doing in your career. Sometimes, we don't care to hear these opinions, but, if you're stuck, it might not hurt to solicit opinions from friends and family members as to what career they think you should pursue.

Likely, they know you well enough to know your strengths, weaknesses, likes and dislikes. They're probably also familiar enough
with your past to know what you should avoid.

Ask direct and earnest questions, such as, "What do you think my strengths are?" and "Have you ever imagined me in a certain career?"

Give some consideration to their feedback, even if it seems ambitious to you. Your friends and family may dream bigger than you would ever dare.