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Monster member Sam writes: I hate my job. What would be a good field for me? What's hot right now?
The Career Coach answers: That question is impossible to answer in a vacuum. What you dislike about your current job will tell you what you're looking for in another one. Just do the upside-down test: List 10 things you dislike about your current job (for example: boring, no flexibility, too lonely). Those 10 complaints then turn into what you're looking for (i.e., challenges, flexibility, working with a team).
As for what's hot, that is irrelevant. If it's not "hot" for you in terms of being something you'd really enjoy doing, then it's no good for you, no matter how many opportunities might come up in that field. Don't make the mistake of putting yourself somewhere that's not going to work for you just to be in occupational vogue. One way to get help with fields and jobs to consider is by asking people who know you well enough to make suggestions. There are also other sources in the self-assessment area to help you take a look at your interests, skills, values, etc. Don't think that self-assessment is just for college kids and people starting out in their careers. The older you get, the more important it becomes.
The important thing about zeroing in on what doesn't fit for you is that it could be anything: your supervisor, your coworkers, your compensation, your desire to get more education or training, your hours or simply the kind of work itself. You can't pinpoint what's wrong until you ask lots of questions. You wouldn't expect a mechanic to start fixing your car until he knew what was wrong with it, but people often forget the "diagnosis" part of fixing career problems.
Good luck. Just remember: Life sends us many opportunities brilliantly disguised as problems. Stay tuned into what wonderful new things your job unrest might be pushing you toward.
