Transition Insight

Figuring out how to choose a career can be quite intimidating. Even though it's an incredibly important decision, you'll often get conflicting advice on how to begin!

This guide breaks down the simple steps you can follow to decide on a career and move forward with confidence.

Do Some Self-Reflection

Choosing a career is a big deal, and it requires considerable thought. While nothing is ever set in stone, your decision will have a significant impact on the direction of your life for the foreseeable future.

And you can only make an important decision like that with self-reflection.

There's a lot to think about, but the ultimate goal is to think about what you want out of your career and what type of work will make you feel most fulfilled. To help you get started with choosing a career, here are a few questions to ask yourself.

Does Anything Jump Out at You?

When trying to decide on a career, one of the first things you should think about is what stands out most to you. There's a good chance that you have several paths that you're leaning toward. But which ones do you gravitate toward?

Knowing that piques your interest is the first step in determining what path to take.

Think About What Motivates You

Another important part of self-reflection is considering your natural motivations. Everyone is motivated by different things, and you must determine what pushes you.

For some people, money is a major motivator. There's nothing wrong with that. Knowing you need a good salary to live comfortably and stay driven will narrow your career choices and guide you in the right direction.

Others have motivations directly related to their future career. For example, you might be motivated by the opportunity to help others in a direct and hands-on way.

Your biggest motivation can also be not related to work. Many people are motivated by the opportunity to have a flexible schedule or take more time off throughout the year to be with their families.

Whatever the case for you, pinpoint those driving motivators. Tapping into what motivates you is a great way to ensure you'll still feel fulfilled in your career decades into the future.

Consider How You Like to Spend Your Day

Here's a big factor that can influence what career you choose. You'll spend a significant amount of time chasing success in your career. The average person spends over 90,000 hours at work throughout their lifetime!

To remain happy and fulfilled, choose a career that allows you to spend your day how you like. Again, this can vary from person to person. Some people thrive in collaborative environments where they can bounce ideas off others and stay socially active.

However, others are natural introverts who would rather work alone or in the comfort of a remote home office (here's a list of jobs that are great for these individuals).

It's also wise to consider the physical aspects of a career. If you like to spend your day staying active and constantly moving, a career that requires you to sit at a desk for eight hours might not be the best choice.

Identify Your Values & Long-Term Goals

Finally, you need to identify your values and what career goals you want to achieve in the future. This is important because choosing a career is about finding something that makes you feel good about what you do. It should be a continual march to accomplish goals and be happy about how you spent your working years.

Your goals can evolve, but you should have a clear view of your goals. What will make you look back at your career with a sense of pride?

Do your values push you towards a need to help people? If so, you could pursue a career that revolves around doing good for others. For example, many people with similar goals pursue medicine, social work, and other related professions.

Your goal may be to provide the best life for your family as possible. In that case, your focus would be to find high-paying jobs that allow you to maximize your earning potential.

Alternatively, your long-term goals might not revolve around work at all. Instead, they could be about having the freedom to pursue all of life's passions or chase a big dream later in life. There are plenty of careers that help you do that.

Understanding what you want to accomplish and how all that aligns with your personal values makes a difference.

Take a Career Assessment

Once you've done some self-reflection and figured out what's important to you out of a career, consider taking a career assessment. Career assessments are a great way to narrow your options and see a list of professions aligning with your ambitions.

There are plenty of options out there. One good choice is the O*NET Interest Profiler. It's the country's biggest source of occupational information. The massive database contains information about hundreds of jobs.

The Interest Profiler is an assessment that connects your interests to specific jobs. While not the end-all-be-all of your decision, career assessments are a valuable resource that can make it much easier to decide on a career that you'll find fulfilling.

Start Looking Into Specific Jobs

Next, you can create a shortlist of careers to explore using the information you learned about yourself through self-reflection and a career assessment. You likely have a list of options that interest you, so now is your time to research and learn more about each of them.

Look into specific jobs. Research their salaries and learn more about the day-to-day life of people working those jobs. Think about everything that matters to you and see how these professions stack up.

You should also research growth potential. Entry-level positions are how you get into specific industries. But many have branching paths leading you to other jobs and opportunities.

Your goal at this stage should be to learn as much as possible. The more you educate yourself on your options, the easier it will be to pick a career.

Identify Industries That Fit Your Criteria

Now it's time to open up your research by looking at entire industries. As we mentioned earlier, many jobs will lead to bigger opportunities the further you take your career.

While an entry-level job may not appeal to you now, it could pave the way to what you ultimately want to do.

For example, you may have a goal to help people by running a non-profit. While you could get a job at an existing non-profit organization, non-profits serve almost every industry! There are non-profit organizations that address healthcare, technology, education, and more.

Knowing what industries fit your criteria can guide you in the right direction when choosing a career. Consider what's important to you and find the industries that align the best. Then, learn as much as possible about those industries to see which ones are worth pursuing to reach your goals.

Determine What Education or Training You'll Need

Educational requirements are a substantial barrier in many industries. You can sometimes get entry-level positions without much education. But if you want to continue growing in a specific field, you may have to invest in a degree or certification program.

Once you know what jobs and industries align most with your goals, research the required education and training. It's nothing more than a high school diploma and hands-on training for some fields. For others, you have to get multiple degrees.

You may find that the educational requirements are a bit too steep in terms of time or money. That's fine!

At the end of the day, that's what this entire process is all about! It's about figuring out what's right for you, and education is a big investment you should consider before deciding on a career.

Get in Touch with Individuals Who are Where You Want to Be

Here's where you go beyond online research and begin learning from people with in-depth knowledge about the careers that interest you. There's no better way to gain more insight into a potential profession than by reaching out to those in the thick of it! Think about where you want to be and use that as a jumping-off point when talking with these professionals.

There are many ways to get in touch with others. To start, try your existing network. Don't hesitate to reach out if you know people in the industries that appeal to you.

Alternatively, you can search through LinkedIn and connect with people that way. You'll find that many people are more than willing to talk about their careers if you show passion and genuine interest.

You can even send cold emails. Get contact information from companies in the industries you like. While not everyone will respond, there's a good chance that some will.

Once you connect with people who are where you want to be, ask those burning questions you want answers to. During your conversation, you can ask them how they got into the field, their day-to-day life, or some of these informational interview questions.

Use those connections to learn even more about possible career paths. As always, be respectful and conduct yourself with professional decorum. You may end up working with those people someday!

Get Started

Throughout your self-reflection and research, you should narrow down your options. Some careers will become less favorable the more you learn about them. Others will become even more interesting!

Once you've decided on a career, it's time to get started and take steps to begin your professional journey.

Getting started can mean a variety of things. If you need additional education, there's no better time than now. The sooner you take those steps, the sooner you'll start your career.

Explore schools, talk to admissions teams, and invest in your future career.

If you don't need additional education or training, starting your career will require you to craft the perfect resume and apply to jobs.

The job search can take some time. You'll want to focus on finding the right employer and applying for jobs that meet your needs. But you might need to update your resume before you can do any of that.

If you do, emphasize relevant skills and strengths. If you have work experience, find ways to connect those jobs to the positions you want to land in your new career.

Apply to as many jobs as possible (without compromising on the quality of your applications), and don't be afraid to use your network to find new opportunities.

Never Stop Learning

Choosing a career and landing your first job is an achievement all on its own. But you should never rest on your laurels. It's just the beginning!

Never stop learning and finding new challenges. Set new goals, expand your horizons to keep learning, and challenge yourself.

Finding a career you're passionate about is just half the battle. You still need to find ways to stay motivated and feel fulfilled. The best way to do that is to keep pushing yourself in your new profession.

Continuing to grow and learn will help you reach your full potential. It'll highlight new goals worth pursuing and give you new ways to feel fulfilled and happy with your choices.

Conclusion

Now that you know how to choose a career and pick something that appeals to you, it's time to start going through the process yourself. Do some self-reflection, look into opportunities, and talk with people who already have the career you want.

Following these steps will give you insight, clarity, and confidence to move forward with the right career path for you.

VA police is the armed and uniformed federal law enforcement service of VA. With nearly 90% of our police officers coming from a military background, they know what it means to be of service and to use their training to protect others.

As part of our support teams, the work of VA police is invaluable to the security of our facilities. Often, the face of one of our officers is the first that Veterans will see when they come through our doors, and the knowledge that you understand their experiences can put them at ease.

But your work doesn't have to be on the front lines. VA police officers also employ specialists. We have K-9 officers who provide an additional layer of security, as well as investigators who ensure that operations inside the facility are handled in a safe and legal way. There's also room to grow into a leadership role, if that's what the future holds for you.

Work at VA

Whether providing front-line protection, conducting investigations or serving in some other capacity, the work you do with VA police means a safer environment for those who come to us for care. Take the next step in your career of service and visit VA Careers to learn more.

Ideally, looking for a job would be a transparent process. You'd simply apply, interview, and get a yes or no right away. But unfortunately, that's not how things go. Radio silence, vague responses, and shifting sentiment can often leave you wondering if you still have a chance of getting hired or if it's time to move on.

Here are some common signs that you didn't get the job, so you can start thinking about the next opportunity.

It's important to note that there are many reasons why you won't get a job offer that have nothing to do with you or your candidacy for the job. The best advice is to not make assumptions or read too much into the situation. You will only know for sure if you got the job when the company extends you an offer. Until that happens, always keep your job search active and continue looking for jobs.

The Company Keeps Pushing Back the Decision

Typically, hiring managers will provide you with a timeline for the hiring decision. They usually inform all candidates when they can expect to hear back. Waiting to get a call about a potential job offer can feel like torture, so knowing when to hear about the decision makes a big difference.

Unfortunately, some companies will push the decision back. At first, that's not a major red flag. Hiring managers sometimes have to delay making that decision, and many factors could affect their original timeline.

But when you start to hear varying excuses, it could be a sign that you didn't get the job.

Ideally, hiring managers will realize you're right for the job quickly. After multiple interviews, they should have a general idea of who they want to hire. Even if you're the second choice, most hiring managers have a sense of urgency to present job offers before good candidates move on to other options.

When a company continually pushes back and can't decide whether to hire you or not, there's a good chance that you're not what they're looking for. If the company truly wants to bring you on, they'll let you know.

The Interview was Cut Short

How much time you spend speaking with an interviewer can vary based on many factors. For example, first-round interviews tend to be shorter than the discussions you have late in the hiring process. Either way, you expect to be there for a reasonable amount of time and have a fairly in-depth conversion.

So when an interviewer cuts your meeting short, there's a good chance they believe that you're not the right fit.

Interviewers are all about efficiency. They spend time in the meeting getting to know who you are, how qualified you are for the position, and how you'll fit into the company culture. If you're not what they're looking for, companies aren't going to invest more time with you than necessary.

It's a blunt reality, but it's not personal. Interviewers might see several people in one day, and they often spend weeks going over your potential for this job. If they already know you're not the right person for the role, why waste their time or yours?

A New Listing For The Job Was Posted

If a job listing is newly posted after your interview, it could be a sign that you didn't get the job. Relisting the job could happen because they want to restart their search.

If the original job posting is still up after you've interviewed, it's entirely possible that the company hasn't gotten around to removing the listing. However, candidates often read into this a bit too much. Some companies want to keep their options open in case their main choice (hopefully you) doesn't accept, or the interview process is simply still ongoing.

This becomes a more useful indicator if it has also been a while since your interview and you haven't heard back (or it's coupled with some of the other signs on this list). That's when an active listing could likely indicate that the company isn't interested in hiring you.

It's Clear That the Interviewer Isn't Trying to Sell You on the Role

When most people think of job interviews, they picture themselves trying to sell a hiring manager on their potential. That's a big part of the process! Your goal is to sell yourself in the interview as the best candidate possible and give employers many reasons to take a chance on you.

That said, it goes both ways. Companies should want to sell you on the role, too.

It's always a good sign when you hear interviewers begin to highlight all the great things about working for the company. This usually occurs after learning more about you and your qualifications. They'll pivot the conversation once they see that you could be a great addition to the team.

Interviewers may highlight the positive aspects of working for the company, give you more information about the role, or even offer to give you a tour of the office and meet some of the team. Once they start to sell you on the job, you know you're doing well.

However, if that doesn't happen, it could mean you didn't get the job. Interviewers aren't going to sell you on the job if they don't plan on continuing to move you through the hiring process.

You're Clearly Overqualified or Underqualified

Being either overqualified or underqualified for a role is never a good thing. Hiring managers are looking for people who meet the needs of the position to a tee. They want people who can succeed and feel satisfied with the work they are doing.

If you're underqualified, interviewers will likely think that you're incapable of fulfilling the role's responsibilities. They may assume that you're not ready or will require significant hand-holding to reach the level of success they need.

If you're overqualified, they may think your interest in this job is only temporary. Hiring managers may worry you'll get bored with the position and leave whenever another great opportunity arises. They may also worry about your salary expectations and your ability to stay motivated.

Some interviewers will come right out and say that you're overqualified or underqualified. Others will bring it up indirectly through a line of questioning. They may even mention something casually.

Use your gut and pay attention to the interview questions and their tone. If they imply that your qualifications aren't where they should be, you should continue looking for a job elsewhere.

You Haven't Received a Response to Your Follow-Ups

Sending follow-up messages to interviewers or hiring managers is standard practice these days. Most companies will give you a general timeline of when you can expect to hear back. But when those estimated hiring decision dates pass, you can send follow-up emails to better understand where the company is in the process.

Unfortunately, some hiring managers never respond to those emails. Most are pretty good at keeping candidates updated on the hiring process. However, some avoid sending "we're not interested" responses, essentially "ghosting" candidates.

If you don't hear back, it could mean a couple of things. First, it might mean that the company went with another candidate. While it'd be nice if decision-makers informed other candidates of that fact, that doesn't always happen.

A second possible scenario is that you're an alternate choice. In that case, the company went with someone else but has your application on "reserve" just in case the first choice passes. Either way, not getting a response to follow-ups probably means you didn't land the job.

The Interviewer Seems Distracted or Uninterested

Seeing an interview lose interest is never a good sign.

The interview process is supposed to be engaging. There should be a back-and-forth discussion. So it's a big red flag when an interviewer begins to recite questions without paying much attention to your response or reciprocating to create a conversation. You may even notice the interviewer begins to stare out the window or focus entirely on the computer in front of them.

This scenario could mean many things. The interviewer may have realized you're not the right fit for the job, so they're now running out the clock. Here are other reasons the interviewer may seem distracted: They have no interest in what you're saying, they already interviewed a great candidate, they are tired after a full day of interviewing, your answers aren't hitting the mark or they are just not having a good day.

You may notice that the change in interest and behavior happens suddenly after a few minutes of real conversation. Alternatively, the interview could be tuned out from the start of the interview. In that case, they might have already decided they want to move forward with another candidate and are trying to get through your interview as quickly as possible.

It's Clear That They're Still Accepting Applications

We've already talked about how seeing the job posting still up could be a sign that you didn't get the job. However, you might also hear that the company is still accepting applications through the grapevine.

If you know people inside the company, they may casually mention that hiring managers are struggling to fill the role. They might have extended the application window or reopened it after your interview.

You can also see signs that the company is still taking applications through its messaging online.

In some cases, you might receive contact from a recruiter who found your LinkedIn profile but didn't realize that you've already applied.

The Interview Gets Canceled

Unfortunately, interviewers cancel meetings all the time.

Pay attention to how the company approaches the cancellation. If they reschedule it immediately, the issue could be as simple as scheduling conflicts. But if there's no offer to reschedule at a later date, it's likely a sign that you won't get a job offer.

You Weren't Given Much Information About the Position or Company

Generally, interviewers take time to provide as much information about the position as possible. Remember: They're trying to sell you on the role just as much as you're trying to sell them on your potential.

When an interviewer doesn't go into the details of the role, it could mean they're not interested. When a company is genuinely interested in making you a part of the team, they'll review various aspects of your job. They'll talk about responsibilities, who you'll answer to, what the day-to-day is like, and more.

Not hearing that information is a cause for concern and could be a sign that you're not going to get the job.

There Was Clear Pushback or Surprise at Your Salary Expectations

Salary negotiations typically happen right before you get hired, but interviewers can ask about it earlier in the process to get a vague idea about what you expect if offered the role.

Unfortunately, many companies don't provide salary information upfront. Some will provide an estimated range on the listing, but they want to hear about what you expect to get.

It's not a good sign when an interviewer or hiring manager balks at your salary expectations. Some people will outright tell you that your expectations are unrealistic. Others will keep that information to themselves, but they might roll their eyes or act surprised.

In some cases, interviewers will push back on your expectations. But if your expectations are way outside their range, you can expect the interview won't lead to a job offer.

The Interviewer Questions if You'd Be a Good Fit for the Job

Here's a sign that will require you to read between the lines.

Interviewers ask several different types of questions during your meeting. Some are more pointed and focused on the position. Others are about your work history or qualifications. They may also ask open-ended or situational questions.

What questions come out of the interviewer's mouth matters. You can get a good idea of their thoughts based on how they word a question.

For example, if an interviewer doubts your ability to succeed in the role, they might mention your lack of qualifications or question things in your background that don't align with the job. They could also discuss the work environment or overall company culture and ask how you fit into the mix.

If you sense any sort of doubt from the interviewer, it likely means that they're not convinced you're right for the job and you shouldn't be surprised if you don't get a job offer.

You Weren't Asked to Provide References

References play an important role in the hiring process. Companies may ask for references in your initial application, but interviewers often ask for them during the interview as you get close to the end of the process.

When an interviewer doesn't ask you to provide references, it likely means they're not interested in hiring you. Hiring managers will reach out to references once they narrow down their options. It comes much later in the process and is a form of due diligence decision-makers do before settling on a single candidate.

If the company isn't interested in hiring you, they do not need a list of references. Therefore, not being asked to provide that information could be a sign that you didn't get the job.

You're Never Able to Get into Specifics

You likely didn't get the job if the interviewer didn't bother getting into specifics.

Hiring managers want to ensure you're invested in this opportunity before moving forward. They need to know that you understand what you're getting into. The last thing they want is to invest time and resources into onboarding you only for you to realize that the job isn't right for you.

As a result, they typically go into the specifics. They'll talk about your responsibilities and detail what the position entails, how their benefits and PTO policy work, introduce you to team members and give you a tour of their facility. If they don't mention these things they should at least be open to answering your questions about them.

When they don't do these things, they probably aren't interested in further pursuing your candidacy.

You Didn't Ask Any Questions

You should always ask questions during your interview. Interviewers usually leave time towards the end of your discussion to address your concerns and respond to any questions about the role that you have.

There are many questions you can ask at the end of an interview. You can inquire about responsibilities, ask questions about the company, etc.

Any opportunity to continue the discussion and keep proving your value to the company is one you should take! Failing to ask questions shows that you're not interested in the job.

Alternatively, interviewers might not leave time for you to ask questions. That's not a good sign either! It could mean they aren't interested enough to move you forward in the hiring process, so they won't waste time answering your questions.

Conclusion

While these signs don't always mean that you didn't get the job, you should be aware of the clues you may not get an offer. While this can be disheartening, it's a good reminder not to get your hopes up on a single opportunity.

Now that you know where you stand, you can make yourself a more competitive applicant, move forward, and pursue other opportunities.

As part of continued modernization efforts from VA, Veterans can now file supplemental claims online at VA.gov. Filing a supplemental claim is an option for Veterans who disagree with a previously denied claim decision regarding VA disability compensation or pension benefits.

This new functionality enhances the Veteran digital experience while delivering timely and accurate notification to Veterans regarding their claim decisions. VA.gov's new online filing tool speeds claims decisions to Veterans by:

• Saving time with supplemental claims submitted directly on VA.gov, with step-by-step, interview-style questions.
• Allowing secure and quick uploads for additional evidence and records.
• Saving progress so Veterans can leave and pick up where they left off.

In addition, Veterans can use their smartphone or other mobile devices to apply online, or if they would prefer, submit supplemental claims by mail if that option better meets their need.

Who should file a supplemental claim?

A Veteran may file a supplemental claim if they have new and relevant evidence related to a previously denied claim for VA disability compensation or pension benefits. New and relevant evidence is defined as evidence not available at the time of the previous claim decision, which may change VA's decision regarding a claim.

Veterans may also file a supplemental claim if they would like VA to review their claim based on new legislation, for example, the newly implemented PACT Act.

If filing a supplemental claim for a newly presumptive condition due to the passage of the PACT Act or similar legislation, submitting new and relevant evidence may not be required but is still highly recommended. Veterans are encouraged to submit or identify medical evidence documenting the diagnosis and severity of the claimed condition and proof of qualifying military service. Otherwise, the Veteran can ask VA to obtain some documentation, including medical records from a VA Medical Center or private insurance provider.

Filing online provides an improved experience

VA gathered valuable feedback from Veterans, Veteran Service Organizations (VSOs), and VA employees while creating the online application to improve Veterans' digital experience and ensure a smooth, logical and secure process for submitting supplemental claims online.

Filing online reduces the wait time associated with traditional mailed claims since applications are received immediately instead of working with the delay that comes with physically mailed documentation. In addition, records sent through a secure network safeguards Veteran's personal information. Submitting supplemental claims online will help VA quickly deliver the benefits and services Veterans have earned while protecting the security of their confidential information.

To file a supplemental claim online, visit the File a Supplemental Claim webpage on VA.gov and complete the form.