How to frame a perfect career?

Having an ideal career is a dream for all. For those, who are  standing on the threshold of stepping into the corporate world and the  ones in it facing a constant pressure to perform. Now the catch 22  situation is where you are asked to plan a career! If it was so much under my control to sketch and build a perfect career, would I not become the next Bill Gates?  But taking all the external and internal factors into account I still  can do a bit of planning. Let's say a bit of preparation to deal with a  lot of happening days! The very basic is to know what you actually want. What kind of a  company are you ready to work in? Which work culture will enable you to  perform? The people you want to work with. Do you want them to be  behaving formally or you want to work in a fun place? Work profile you  want. Do you wish to be a leader or a follower? The roles and  responsibilities you want to take? How strong is your emotional  quotient for some not so desirable work situations? What kind of  benefits and compensation you want from the company? Answers to all  these questions will bring out a picture of what kind of a career you  desire! Also draft a sketch of must haves you can't do without!  This is a category that has a big impact on your career. It is obvious  that delightful factors make you perform better than in regular  situations. But factors like a good machine to work on is a necessity  but the same affair could get delightful if your company gave you a  latest technology laptop! So make sure your must have list is not  over-powered by things that delight you! Must-haves are very important.  They are absolute requirements. While you may give up some of your  "wants," must-haves are essential and cannot be compromised. Let us list down a few areas where we need to divide our expectations  into categories of- Must Have, Don't Want, Delightful and Entertaining.

• We  must have guidelines to decide which company to work with. This shall  also include if you are ready to move out of your city. Drive for more  than 2 hours everyday.
• Culture  and people in the work place. We can't change these factors, but can  decide not to work in a place where it's not comfortable.
• The  kind of work you want to do. The designation or position you want to  work at. This is an absolute directive of your capabilities in terms of  your educational qualification and post experience.
• If  other benefits like health insurance, one day working from home, 9 to 6  working hours, 10 days vacation every year (with pay) are attractive to  you or larger salary for endless work hours 6 days a week and work from  home on Sundays??
• Emotional analyses of ones own self is a must! It will give you an insight to your short falls and will enable you to improve.
• Also  mention what kind of fun you prefer in a work place. Or you just want  to work and get home! Be sure as this can lead to monotony and  depression.

Building an ideal career is like building your home, with your own  architecture that suits your requirements. But remember even when we  are designing our dream home we do adjust with the requirements of our  family member or say the unavoidable external factors for a perfect  career! Source: TimesJobs