In the past it was normal for individuals to find a job and stay in that field until they retired. Often a person worked for the same company for their entire career.  It is far more common today for individuals to do several career searches and changes in a lifetime. People change their careers for a variety of reasons. For example, they did not make a wise choice initially; the career they selected no longer exists; they want to match their changing values and needs to a new set of career possibilities. Career development is a process. It works best over time while employed or in school. It is almost never good to leave a job without having another one to go to.

You will need to commit some time to prepare your personal inventory. Your honesty and the quality of your work will predict your level of success in getting the right job. It is best to create a designated journal or workbook to begin your process. Write out your answers and the conclusions you come to as a permanent record of your thoughts and feelings. This data then becomes an important resource as you continue in your career planning and work search activities.

Making the right plans for the future can be difficult. A good starting point is with self assessment. A self assessment can reveal your characteristics, interests, values and skills. It will define your strengths and your weaknesses. Looking for a match between these and the work you are considering is an important first step before beginning the search for a job.

Self-Assessment 1: Values. Questions to ask include:

• What do I do well? What am I good at? What do others tell me I am good at?
• What do I enjoy doing? What turns me on? What energizes me?
• Do I prefer to work with others or work alone? Am I a team player? Do I feel comfortable sharing my thoughts and ideas?
• Do I like to be creative? Do I approach things from an analytical perspective?
• Do I need a strong work-family balance? Can I be satisfied working long hours? Do I mind traveling?
• Do I have expensive tastes? Can I live a simple life and find contentment?
• Do I have the time, interest and motivation to enroll in school for an extended period of time? Are there skills I possess that could transfer to another career? Are there individuals who rely on me for financial support?
• Do I know what careers are predicted to be in demand in the future?
• How much experience to I have with computers and technology?
• Do I need a career where employment is secure? How do I handle change and uncertainty?
• How much structure do I require? Can I handle minor or major changes on short notice?
• Do I have a need to make a difference in the lives of others? Am I more motivated by money and power?

Answers to these types of questions and many others will help you identify your strengths and make decisions around the contributions you can make. Many people try to fit into jobs advertised in newspapers or other sources. The employer today has many qualified candidates from which to choose. It will be important to know who you are and how you can “sell” yourself as the best person for the job.

Self-Assessment 2: Skills. List all the activities, awards and achievements that you have received that set you apart from others. Give this much effort and thought and go back as far as childhood. Provide plenty of detail. You will use this information to assist you in targeting career areas.

Self Assessment 3: Your personality. Circle words that describe you as a worker. Have others that know you well do the same. The column in the first table that has the most circled words is your strongest area. Sometimes you may have more than one area that has strong qualities. Follow the arrows for details related to career types. 

Based upon Holland Occupational Codes -- John Holland (1985) Making Vocational Choices (2nd ed.) Odessa, FL.: Psychological Assessment Resources, Inc.

Self Assessment 4: Your knowledge area. This assessment relates to formal education formats and should include high school, college, technical school and other formal training. Create a list of achievements- diplomas, certifications, awards, special projects, etc. Create the list in chronological order [this information will also be helpful when building your resume].

Now that you have completed the self-assessment section, what have you learned about yourself? Make a list of the things that you have discovered, especially those things that you may not have realized. Be sure to focus on your personality style as it relates to your values, skills and knowledge. Does your knowledge area compare to personality style? What about your values? Your skills? You may find that your personality style doesn’t correspond to your other areas.

On to Step Two