Many see these as a vocation rather than a career, in that they are a way of life, so much more than a job. But how do you know if that sort of thing will be the right career for you? Take this quiz and find out.
Are you patient?
Being patient is a key ingredient in a careering job. Remember that you are there to care, so you will need to attend to another person’s need whether you feel like it or not. Being patient is such a vital skill because it means that you can do things on another’s schedule. It also means you can be flexible and be open to changes that are being made. It also means you can deal with complicated characters and situations without losing your cool.
Are you empathetic?
Empathy is a difficult one, as some people think you are either born with this quality or not. It is true that some people are definitely naturally more empathetic. But maybe it’s better to talk about emotional intelligence. That covers being able to understand the situations that others are in, and also knowing your own emotional tolerance levels. This is especially vital in roles like social work and family support worker jobs, where you can deal with a lot of conflicts.
Can you deal with conflict?
Of course, that leads us onto the fact of dealing with the conflict itself. Do you shy away from conflicts or are you able to calmly and consistently stand your ground? This is a vital skill in any careering profession as you will often be faced with a situation where people won’t want to do what is best for them. It will be up to you to get them to make the right decision, without being too bombastic.
Are you enthusiastic?
Another great way of getting people to make the best decisions for themselves is through encouragement. It’s hard not to get swept along by some genuine enthusiasm, even if you not quite sure that you are 100% into the task that is being mooted. This can be used to great effect in getting people to exercise, take their medications and even get out of bed in the morning.
Can you leave your problems at the door?
Lastly, no matter what is going on in your own life, are you take to leave it at the door and to commit to your work. This is so vital in the caring professions as people will need your full attention both emotional and intellectual.
It’s not always easy to compartmentalise our feelings and leave them behind when we go to work. However, as is so often the case often in caring jobs, we are faced with additional stressful situations daily. So it’s important that we deal with those as calmly and objectively as we can for the good of everyone involved.