Career Decision Process
Steps to Career Planning:
Self-Assessment: Know yourself
Honestly think about past jobs, volunteer experiences, your dream jobs. Now ask yourself the following questions and actually write answers or begin a list.
- What are your interest?
- What are your aptitudes and skills?
- What are your academic abilities?
- What are your personal values and ethics?
- What are your work values?
- What are your aptitudes and skills?
- What are your transferable skills?
- What are your personality traits?
- What are your lifestyle preferences?
- How motivated are you to change? relocate? learn new things?
- Riley Guide - Free online assessments and tests
- Careerlink Inventory assessment
Research/Exploration/Preparation
Matching yourself with the world of work requires some research:
- To find the "fit" to your self-assessment use Libraries, College Career Centers and One-Stop Centers
- Read the paper for professional groups that meet - Call Chambers for information
- Subscribe to a professional magazine, read the newspaper
- Begin to "target" specific companies or geographical areas for your field (s) of interest
- Use the internet: Labor Market Information - Occupational Outlook - Salary information
- Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Focus on appropriate coursework - adult education course, college certificates, web classes
- Get involved in clubs and professional groups related to your field of interest to develop a network
- Participate in an Internship opportunity for "hands
on" work experience:
call LPC - 424-1236 - Volunteer
- Do informational interviews, try job shadowing
Job Search Strategy
- Identify the best method for your field - web page, networking, job fairs.
- Design a professional resume and cover letter.
- Network! Prepare a sixty-second marketing statement that includes what you are looking for and what you have to offer an employer.
- First impressions still count, think about your appearance and body language
- Follow through on your contacts, as common courtesies can make a big impression
- Find a life balance of work and leisure, keep learning, stay current on trends/laws impacting career areas
- Live within your budget
- How to conduct your job search
