Step 01 of 06

Explore Careers

Before you polish a resume, it helps to know where you are headed. These guides help you compare fields, learn what different roles really involve, and narrow your options to a short list worth testing.

Guides for this step

Step 01

Explore CareersStarter

How to Explore Career Paths That Fit You

A practical, five-step method for turning a vague sense of 'I want something different' into a short list of careers worth testing.

7 min read →

Step 01

Explore CareersStarter

Skilled Trades: A Plain-Language Overview

What electricians, welders, HVAC technicians, plumbers, and other trades actually do, how people get trained, and how to tell if hands-on work suits you.

7 min read →

Printable checklist

Career Exploration Checklist

Tick items off as you go. Your checks stay on this page only and aren't saved or sent anywhere.

01Write down five tasks you enjoy and five that drain you
02List the conditions you need: schedule, location, pay floor, physical demands
03Brainstorm 20 roles, then group them into career families
04Research duties, training, pay range, and outlook for your top 3–5
05Hold at least two informational conversations per role
06Try one low-cost test: a short course, volunteering, or shadowing
07Write a one-paragraph plan for your top choice

Helpful tools

Hourly ↔ Salary Converter

Turn an hourly rate into weekly, monthly, and yearly pay, or work backward from a salary.

Resume Readiness Checklist

Check your resume against 15 points hiring managers notice, with a live progress score.

Weekly Job Search Planner

Set your weekly hours and get a balanced plan for applications, networking, and skill-building.