Whether you are about to graduate from college, or want to change jobs at a later point in life, career planning is a very important aspect of the process. Before you actually start applying for positions, it is essential to be certain of the areas you would like to work in. The worst thing that could happen is not to take any steps in the career planning process, and end up in a job that you are unhappy with, or do not have the proper skill set for.

Career quizzes are often helpful in the career planning process. These are often a great first step when trying to determine what type of jobs you'd be best suited for. Many are available online, and address some of the following areas: identifying your skills and abilities; determining if you prefer working with people, data or things; or summarizing what workplace values are most important to you. By compiling all of this information, you'll usually get a general idea of what fields you should be seriously checking out. The quizzes often list suitable occupations based on your answers.
One avenue that would be best to explore is signing up for career counseling. There are many free services, mainly ones offered by the government, or at post-secondary institutions, that will get you started on your career planning journey. Career counselors are trained professionals that will be able to offer you advice and make realistic recommendations on what area you would be best suited to work in. They will look over your academic training, and often administer aptitude tests to see what careers you should be exploring.