Ali Hoban ⋅ New York , NY AOL ⋅ 5 years experience

Hi Thomas,

Job shadowing is a great way to get an inside look at the day-to-day functions of certain positions. For veterans in the ACP Mentoring program, consider asking your Mentor to organize a few job shadow days with their colleagues or friend in various fields. For vets not in the program, ask your friends, former colleagues or family members to either agree to job shadow days in their offices or even informal discussions regarding the benefits and downfalls of their positions. I think the key to exploring career possibilities is to learn the day-to-day functions of certain careers and decide if you would be happy performing those tasks 40+ hours a week.

In terms of personality tests, I would look at the traditional Jung or Myers Briggs personality tests to help better understand positions that would fit your personality. This could help narrow down the fields that may work best for you. ACP's website also has a few resources, including the Career Assessment Questionnaire to help veterans identify their goals and strengths (http://acp-usa.org/resources/career-assessment-questionnaire).

I hope this helps!

Alan J. Zell ⋅ Portland , OR Attitudes for Selling ⋅ 29 years experience

Thomas, There is no such thing as a "correct" career IF one does not respect what an employer's firm does, makes, sells and, more important, how it helps their customers. So, the first thing to decide is what type of business/industry one would enjoy working in. That's half the battle as working for a business that one does not have the respect will only mean the job will be less than correct. One way to niche one's search is to go through the yellow pages and see what type of business/industry would be interesting . . . and then to investigate them and, if possible, who their customers are and what they do with what the business sells. This information will help you construct a letter asking for an interview and during the interview.

Plus, realize that most businesses have openings they have not advertised openings for. However, if the right person with the right skills comes along. What businesses are looking for are applicable skills that are needed with the postion. Go in open to doing anything in that business has to offer. In time you and they will find the "correct" career.

Alan