Core Business Interests – What You Want To Do
What do you want to do in your new career and new job? Maybe it’s time to review all your options so you can better understand yourself and how you’ll feel good about what you’re doing in your new career.
Another way of gaining greater understanding about what you most like to do at work is to identify what aspects of work feel best to you.
Look at the following list of Core Business Interests and identify the ones that might be of interest to you, even if you have not considered them before. See if you can find out: What do I want to do?
Category I: Application of Expertise
A: Application of Technology
Engineering
Computer programming
Production planning
Analyzing processes
Analyzing systems
Manufacturing
B: Quantitative Analysis
Analyzing investments
Analyzing market research
Forecasting
Building computer models
Creating schedules
Performing accounting tasks
A: Theory Development and Conceptual Thinking
Developing economic theories
Developing business models
Doing competitive analysis
Developing big-picture strategies
Designing processes
Teaching business theory
B: Creative Production
Designing new products
Marketing and advertising
Generating new ideas
Originating innovative ideas
Managing projects
Conducting public relations
Category II: Working with People
A: Counseling and Mentoring
Coaching, training, teaching
Developing Organizations
Managing human resources
Fostering mentoring-oriented management practices
Supporting and developing
Giving feedback or advice
B: Managing People and Relationships
Managing others
Directing
Supervising
Leading others
Motivating
Taking care of day to day operations
Category III: Control and Influence
A: Enterprise Control
Controlling business resources
Providing strategic direction
Having decision-making authority
Managing others
Holding ultimate responsibility
B: Influence through Language and Ideas
Negotiating
Deal-making
Public relations
Persuading
Designing advertising
(Source: Harvard Business School Press, Shaping Your Career)
Most people’s choices will show a pattern of favoring one column or the other (A or B) within each category. After doing this for all three categories, ask yourself what your choices tell you about a potential career path. Do you see a pattern that reinforces your feelings about what you have been doing or one that gives you a new perspective about what you might do in the future? What will make you feel good about where you are and what you are doing?
What do I want to do?
I wrote the book Career Change Guide to help you discover more about yourself as you plan the process of changing careers. The book helps you answer the question, “what do I want to do?” successfully. Get more ideas from this website, or buy the book on Amazon.
