Self-Assessment

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    Another crucial, and probably the most important, step in the preparation phase of your job search is to do considerable self-assessment. Assessing oneself can be done several ways, some which include interest tests and assessment, speaking with colleagues about your strengths and weaknesses, being honest with yourself, or through guides and books designed on this topic.

    Many of you read that last piece and rolled your eyes with the thought of going to the Self-Help aisle of the bookstore. Although that is one way, it is not the only way. Many job search books such as Breaking Through the Brick Wall by Kate Wendelton will ask readers to go through a series of exercises to help identify strengths, successes, and areas where interests and strengths overlap. This practice is very effective and usually revealing in finding your true career calling.

    Another part of self-assessment is dealing with the past and your last job.

    • Why did your last job not work out?
    • What could you have done differently to prevent this situation?
    • What are you going to do in the future to insure a stable and happy work relationship?
    • Are you in the correct field?
    • Why did you not see the signs of layoffs/unhappiness coming?
    • Did you do everything you could have to make yourself as valuable an employee as you could?

    As you see, these questions are focused on your role and not the role of the company. Focus on what you can control and not what was out of your control concerning your employment. Job seekers can internalize bitter feelings about their last boss/company which will end up hindering their effectiveness when interviewing for a future job. There are very few job losses where the employee does not shoulder some of the responsibility. It is better to deal with this now and move past so as not to let those feelings of hurt or resentment appear in your next job interview.

    Through thorough self-assessment, you can help insure your next job is the proper fit to your interests and strengths and that you will not be carrying any baggage from your last place of employment.

    The Notre Dame Career Center allows ND alumni access to an online self-assessment tool, Focus. Focus is a web based career exploration and self assessment system. Begin by assessing your current career planning status activities, and then move on to explore interests, values, skills, and personality. You can then research occupations that match your self-assessments. The database includes detailed information on 1200+ careers. Personalized feedback is provided as you research careers. KeyCode: ndfocus