Defining Next Steps: Part Two
"If you had the 'Ideal Job' what would it be?"

Have you ever felt like you needed a change but couldn't quite pinpoint why? You want to be happier, more satisfied, and more fulfilled in what you do. But, you just don't know how to define that. Career assessments can help you get clear about your career aspirations.

Before launching a job search or career transition, it is important to determine what factors working together will give you the highest level of satisfaction.
Assessing your skills, interests, values and personality and other factors and examining how they connect with potential career opportunities will allow you to clarify such things as ideal work environment, salary and benefits requirements, regional preferences, and industry preferences among other variables.

While career assessments can be a formal process that you go through with a qualified career counselor, it doesn't have to be. There are numerous resources available and exercises you can complete. Below, I've outlined two exercises you can do on your own.

First, you can start by simply taking inventory of your career progress. A really good exercise is the "Career Lifeline." When, I use it with my clients, I first have them draw a horizontal line on a sheet of paper labeling the left side beginning and the right side end. Second, I have them plot their career highs and lows beginning from their first "career decision" such as deciding to go to college rather than work, or choosing x major, or turning down y project. Finally, I have them review their lifeline to date, and we discuss the career decisions they've made and what influenced those decisions. We also discuss the outcomes. The objective of the exercise is to analyze personal values and their impact on their decision-making, career path and career satisfaction.

A second exercise you can do to analyze your strengths is to ask people for feedback. When they think of your strengths, what words come to mind? Obviously, you want to do this with people who know you and whom you trust. It can be a little awkward, but explain that you are simply trying to get a sense of your strengths.

If you can't bring yourself to do that, an alternative is to think over your career at the various jobs you've had and think about the feedback you've received from employers and co-workers. We are all known for some set of skills and attributes. For example, in all of my work experience, paid and volunteer, I consistently hear feedback that I am organized, focused, articulate, conscientious, hardworking, reliable, pleasant to be around, fun, good with people, good at explaining things, have good presentation skills, honest, and have integrity. I've also been told that I have expert knowledge in my profession and make it easy for people to apply concepts and get results.

By completing the two exercises you will have a better sense of how you go about making career decisions and what influences your decisions and a better sense of personal attributes that lead to success for you in the past. There are many other exercises in books such as What Color is Your Parachute, I Could Do Anything, If Only I Knew What it Was, and Second Acts. I've mentioned these books before because I think they are excellent resources for gaining clarity. If you'd like to complete formal assessments such as the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator and Strong Interest Inventory, Futures in Motion, Inc. offers career assessment packages. You can find out more about them by clicking this link.

As I mentioned in the last newsletter there are several paths to pursue. Once you've completed the assessment process you will be better able to determine whether to advance within your current company, move to another company for a change of scenery and advancement opportunities, or make a more drastic career change. You may decide that staying in your current job while enhancing your current career situation is the way to go. Or, you may ultimately decide to enhance your knowledge through education, enhance your visibility through project work or volunteering, or by actively cultivating a professional network.

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Markell Steele is a career counselor, owner of Futures in Motion, Inc. and author of Fast Track Your Career: Three Steps for Finding Work You Love. She helps frustrated job seekers find career direction so they can get the job they want in less time with less stress. Follow her on twitter to get daily job search and career transition tips- http://twitter.com/futuresinmotion

Find more career and job search articles at http://www.futures-in-motion.com/article_archive.php. Contact Markell at http://www.futures-in-motion.com/contact_us.php.

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