You are one of a kind. You have a unique combination of interests, abilities and values that determines how much you enjoy doing different kinds of work.
Before you dive into your job search aimlessly or go into unsure of what you're looking for, take some time to find out what types of work might be best for you, and determine what you want and what you do well.
Consider your answers to the following questions.
- What do you like to do?
- What can you do well?
- What makes work meaningful for you?
- What skills do you already have?
- What level of education do you have (or would be willing to get)?
- What work experience do you have?
- What kind of training do you have (or would be willing to get)?
- What motivates you on the job?
- What are your expectations from work?
- What type of lifestyle do you want?
Your Interests
Your work will be more enjoyable if you are doing something that interests you. Which of the following types of activities do you enjoy?
- solving problems
- convincing others
- being physically active
- working with facts and figures
- helping people
- using your imagination
- building or fixing things
- creating things
On a separate sheet of paper, list as many of your interests as you can think of. Then decide which are your strongest interests and circle them.
Your Abilities
Which of the following types of activities do you do well?
- working with numbers
- creating things and using your imagination
- imagining in three dimensions from a drawing (eg. drawing a blueprint)
- using and understanding words and ideas
- performing physical tasks
- listening, expressing feelings, getting along well with others
- undertsanding how things work and putting them together
- noticing differences in detail and recognizing errors
- learning scientific and technical principles and gathering information systematically
- planning and developing projects, coordinating and handling details
List all of your abilities. Then decide which are your strongest ones and circle them.
Your Skills
Your skills are abilities you have learned to apply.
- Self-management skills include personality characteristics like being dependable, responsible, and having a positive attitude. What words would you use to describe your best characteristics?
- Transferable skills such as social skills, communication skills, leadership and problem solving skills can be applied to many different situations. What transferable skills do you have?
- Technical skills are the skills you need for particular jobs (e.g. mechanics need specific auto repair skills).
List as many of your skills as you can. Then circle the ones you want to use or develop further in the future.
Your Values
Which of the following values motivate you?
- helping society
- dealing with the public
- competition
- variety
- independence
- money
- prestige
- personal satisfaction
- security
- being in a position to make important decisions
- getting respect from others
- having time to pursue other activities
- having the opportunity to learn new things
- protecting the environment
Other considerations
Think about your past work experiences. What would you like to be the same, and what would you want to be different in your future jobs?
What were you best subjects at school? Would you be willing to go back to school? If so, for how long?
What kind of environment do you like to work in (outdoors, near home, in the city, with a small group of people)?
Take all this information about yourself that you've gleaned, and maybe with the help of a career counsellor, good friend or family member, match your interests and skills to some possible career paths to explore.
Copyright 1998 Province of Alberta Advanced Education and Career Development. Used with permission.
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