Step #1 - Know Yourself
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This is a very important, yet often overlooked first step in the job search process. That uneasy sickening feeling loves to settle in as soon as you are without work….it is often accompanied by a sense of urgency or panic, as you think “I better get out there and find something”. Because people often identify themselves and others by the type of work they do, the job search process can be a very emotional and stressful experience.
But before you jump into job-hunting-mode, take time to think – plan – assess – and prepare. Assessing your talents and interests - past and future - is the first step to targeting a job and career you will enjoy.
Following are a few tips, techniques and exercises.
1.0 Assess Your Skills, Knowledge and InterestsSpend some quiet time to assess and ask yourself the hard questions………. dig beneath the surface, re-discover what you have to offer, what you really want to do. For example:
Many people find these questions difficult to answer. But the good news is -- there are many wonderful resources, books and tools to help guide you through the self-assessment and career planning process.
2.0 Research: locate resources, books and tools to objectively examine your interests, transferable skills, values and goals. Here are a few avenues:
Let’s get started!
3.1 YOUR CAREER TO DATE
Step 1: Write or type ALL you can remember about your career to date, starting from high school then working your way to the present. It doesn’t matter how important, trivial, big, small or how long ago….just write away - whatever comes to mind! The more you write, the less you will have to remember later.
For example: the schools you attended, when, and what subjects you liked the most/least; positions you’ve held, responsibilities, tasks, assignments, the most enjoyable moments, skills developed, training taken, seminars attended, mistakes made and lessons learned, projects, team and special assignments, accomplishments, volunteer and community activities.
At this point, everything counts – write it all.
Step 2: Then, highlight the experiences, assignments or projects you were particularly proud of, motivated by or interested in.
Step 3: Write a story (1 to 3 paragraphs)about each highlighted project or assignment:
a) describe the project; b) what was your role and what action did you take?; c) what barriers or obstacles did you overcome? d) what was the final result?
Then write the measurement of each result, using factors such as time, $, %, date. (For example: achieved “x%” sales increase; completed the project “x” days ahead of schedule).
Step 4: Now, looking over your notes in Steps 1 to 3, can you identify some commonalities? themes? What knowledge and skills have you developed over time? What behavioral traits and learning abilities have you demonstrated? What lessons have you learned? Triumphs you have celebrated?
Step 5: Retain all of these written notes and/or save them on your computer as a separate file labelled Career to Date. As you continue to progress on your career path, adding new information, you will find this is a helpful ‘memory bank’ of past events and accomplishments.
3.2 YOUR FUTURE
Now, with your past work history all on paper, its time to focus on your future.
Step 1: Write or type ALL of your thoughts and ideas, your dreams and desires for the future, no matter how big or how small. Just keep writing!
For example: What would I like to learn?....what skills do I want to enhance? ….should I further my education? Take classes? …… What was, but is no longer important to me? – or - What has become more important to me at this point in my life? ……. Is changing careers an option? why? why not? … What type of people and work environment allows me to be productive and motivated?
Review and add new ideas as they come to mind.
Step 2: Review all of the information in Step 1; Highlight and assign a level of importance, as outlined below.
A -– very important (required)
B -- important (should have)
C -- somewhat important (nice to have)
No -– not important
A -– My ideal Job/Career
B -- My ‘next best’ Job/Career, one that I would be happy with
C -- A third option, one that I’m comfortable with
No -– Do not want Congratulations! – you have developed the foundation for a good resume and career planning guide.
Discuss your interests and plans with family and friends.
Adjust and realign as necessary to incorporate life changes and new ideas.
The book, What Color is Your Parachute has a great ‘Flower’ exercise that has helped millions of people. We recommend you try it!
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Copyright © 2008 Employment Network Canada Inc.