Know Thyself – To target your job search successfully

Self-assessment plays an important role in the job search process. Understanding your interests, strengths, preferences and passions as they relate to work can help you identify the type of roles, responsibilities and company culture that will bring you the most success and fulfillment. It can also help you to develop your personal brand and value proposition, and ensure your marketing materials and interview approach present your brand and potential value accordingly.

Some job seekers know exactly what they want to do next – even down to specific titles and a list of target employers. Others have no idea, and are taking the search as an opportunity to re-evaluate ‘what do I want to be when I grow up?’ Many fall somewhere in between – with an idea of several potential next steps in their career, but no overwhelming passion for one over another. Regardless of where you fall within these scenarios, taking the time to look inward may offer focus, clarity and improvement to your overall job search process. Self-reflection may also help to ensure your next position is in line with your personal and professional aspirations.

Where to start? We suggest speaking with your Transition Assistance coach to develop an assessment approach tailored to meet your individual needs. A general approach might include the following steps:

Step #1 – Assess your preferences, values and/or strengths.
  • Preferences – Take the Myers Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI)
  • Values – Use this worksheet to identify your top work-related values
  • Determine your strengths - In addition to the Myers Briggs Type Indicator, Transition Assistance offers two assessments that will help uncover your strengths, StrengthsFinder 2.0 and StandOut. Purchase the book StrengthsFinder 2.0 by Tom Rath, which will include a unique code that you will need in order to take the on-line assessment. The book can be purchased at online bookstores such as Amazon.com, or at a local bookstore. The StandOut assessment is available for $15 at https://standout.tmbc.com/.
  • Complete the Life Purpose and Passions Exercise
Step #2 – With the understanding gleaned from assessment results, drill down to detail, and begin to prioritize your knowledge/skills/abilities, likes/dislikes, and goals.
  • Analyze your skills, including what you like vs. what you don’t, what you’re good at doing and where you like to do it using our Likes/Dislikes Matrix
  • Identify your short-term and long-term personal and professional goals and document them in our worksheet
Step #3 – Align your skills and interests with the business reality within the marketplace.

First, research your options – and remember, your Transition Assistance coach can help conduct research!

Type of Job Type of Company / Industry
  • Occupational info sites
  • Job boards – read descriptions
  • Informational interviews/networking
  • Industry and company research sites
  • Research Reports such as Hoovers, OneSource or Thomson
  • Job boards – see who is hiring
  • Informational interviews/networking

Then, assess feasibility - are these jobs, companies and industries a good option for you, considering the following factors?

  • Fit
  • Skills, education, work experience needed
  • Immediate vs. longer term goals
  • Market analysis
  • Compensation
  • Current and future demand, industry/economic trends
Step #4 – Identify your targets
  • Sum it all up in "My Ideal Job Summary"
  • Identify specific targets (jobs/titles and companies/industries) – Plan A and Plan B

Once you have a clear understanding of your search targets, you can develop the marketing materials and search strategy to reach them. Schedule a call with your Transition Assistance coach to develop a self-assessment plan that is right for you. And, enjoy the journey.

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