Career Advice: How to Choose the Right Career Step

Career Advice for Your Next Step

Whether you are a beginner or have been working for years: at some point, you need clear career advice. In this article, you will learn when you need it, how to combine your profile and the market, and how to create a concrete plan.

When You Need Career Advice

Career advice is useful in various situations:

• **Doubt about your current direction** — You no longer feel at home, but you don’t know what the alternative is.
• **Starting after an education** — You want to choose deliberately instead of responding to the first job opening.
• **Considering a career switch** — You want to make a transition but don’t know how to justify it.
• **Growing or specializing** — You want to consciously plan your next step instead of waiting.

**Important:** Career advice is not a luxury. It is an investment that prevents you from spending years in a direction that doesn’t fit.

Profile, Competencies, and Market

Strong career advice combines three factors:

1. **Profile** — What energizes you? What type of work suits you? A career choice test or RIASEC test provides objective insight here.

2. **Competencies** — What can you already do? What skills do you want to develop? A skill-gap analysis helps you prioritize.

3. **Market** — Where is the demand? Which degrees or certifications are relevant? Combine your preferences with realistic opportunities.

[Discover Your Career Profile](/test)

Plan in 30-60-90 Days

A concrete plan makes career advice actionable:

**30 days:** Orientation. Take the career choice test, create a shortlist of up to 5 directions, and schedule 2 to 3 informational interviews.

**60 days:** Deepening. Conduct your interviews, validate your top 2 in practice (job shadowing, internship), and make a final choice.

**90 days:** Action. Take the first concrete step: register, apply, network. Evaluate after 90 days and adjust as needed.

[Start with the Career Test](/test)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between career advice and a career coach?

You can obtain career advice yourself through tests, articles, and step-by-step plans. A career coach offers personal guidance in conversations. For many people, a combination is ideal: first, self-direction through a test, then possibly a coach for further guidance.

How often should I review my career plan?

Schedule a time at least every 12 to 24 months to check if your direction still fits. In case of significant changes (reorganization, burnout, new interests), do it sooner.