A career orientation can mean a variety of things. The first is a method of introducing a new employee to their new job; a new employee may be shown around the office, assisted in filling out paperwork, or given job-related presentations. Another type of career orientation is the professional path that a person takes throughout his or her life. An individual’s orientation can be defined as the way he or she always chooses or pursues a specific type of job, or a job in a specific field.
Although some companies use this terminology when referring to new hires and their training period, the first definition of career orientation is less common. This type of orientation is designed to help an employee become acquainted with the company and his or her new position. When a large number of people are hired at the same time, orientation may last several days and take the form of a well-organized program. It usually includes talks about benefits plans, company policies, and safe working practices, among other things. It also allows employees to ask questions and begin training for their particular position.
The more common definition of career orientation is the second type. This refers to a person’s job preferences and choices, as well as how they orient themselves in their careers throughout their lives. Many people develop a pattern of job preferences over time based on not only their interests, but also how they prefer to work. Some people, for example, prefer to work as part of a team, whereas others prefer to work alone. Some people prefer to be creative, while others prefer to have a set of tasks to complete each day. Each of these personality traits can play a role in determining a career path.
Career orientation tests are commonly given in high school to assist students in planning for the future and determining which career paths they want to pursue in college. Adults who want to change careers or are dissatisfied with their current jobs can also take career orientation tests. A number of them are freely available online, and others can be found in libraries or other career resource centers. Individuals who pursue a career that is a good fit for their personalities and desires for a working environment are more likely to succeed, so it’s worth a shot.