What Kind of person are you?

Are you a shy or outgoing? Active or passive, these personal traits all determine what kind of job you are looking for. Write an essay about yourself and you will discover things you never thought of before.

What are your career strengths and career weaknesses?

Identify your career related strengths and weaknesses, do not be too tough on yourself but you have to be honest. You do not have to share any of this material with anyone but yourself.

You do not have to be the perfect employee! Try to determine what qualities are employers in your area are looking for. Then determine if you have these qualities and at what level. Most Employers all have the basic requirements in terms of basic skills :

• Self-motivated / Confident
• Flexible
• Team player/good communication
• Organized
• Energetic/Enthusiastic
• Attention to Detail

You have to work on the basic skills first and then work your way up to the skills required by your profession.

Where are you now?

What is your career position now ? Do you work from home, are you self employed or do you work for a big company? Make a list of the things you like and dislike from work. This will make you more aware of what career and job you are looking for. Writing these things down, will also present a better picture of the whole.

Short-term and Long-Term Career Goals?

You have reviewed what you like and dislike about your current job and what are your strengths and weaknesses.

Now Ask Yourself?

Where do I want to be in my career in the short term?

Where do I want to be in my career in the long term?

This will help you better know yourself in terms of what you are looking for in a job, it is important to be honest and realistic in your answers.

Some other tools that will help in you in choosing your career path:

Myers-Briggs Personality

Campbell interest skill survey

John Holland self directed search

I will close this article by a famous quote by George Bernard "The People who get on in this world are the people, who get up and look for circumstances they want, and if they can't find them, they make them"

You have already started the process to change your career to new heights, now be active you already have a lot of information on what you want !

These are some other tools than can help in you : Dictionary of occupational titles
Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2004-05 Edition
2004-05 Career Guide to Industries