Who ARE You?

The first and most important thing to know for your successful job hunt is – who are you? Before you write your résumé. Before you create your elevator speech or Brand YOU Sound bite. Before you search the web for a new job. Unless you are one of the rare people who wake up every morning knowing exactly what you want to do, you need to go on a journey of self-discovery. Too many people make the fundamental mistake of not knowing themselves. If you want to continue doing the same old, carry on. You know what you want. But, if you want to make a career transition, you need to learn all the elements that make you that wonderful, unique individual that you are. Knowing yourself is critical for people in career transition. You have know:

• what you like and don’t like
• how people perceive you and your skills
• what you are good at and don’t do so well

This is harder than it looks. Just because you’ve hung around yourself all these years doesn’t mean you know, well, … you.

Job-seeker – Know Thyself Career self-assessment is the process of becoming acquainted with what you want and don't want in a work environment. This can be a DIY project. Simply make a list of your work skills, interests and values. Then rate them with a 3-point scale:

1. Positive – I want to do this again/more.
2. Neutral – I do not care one way or another about this skill.
3. Negative – I do not want to do this again.

Ask yourself some questions about the jobs or careers you contemplating:

• "What do I want to think about for 10 hours a day?"
• "Is this job the type of work that is worth sitting in traffic to get to it?"
• "What gives me energy at work?"
• "What drains my energy at work?"
• "Do I want to work inside or outside?"

And so forth. More questions will come as you go through the process. Ask co-workers, friends and family for feedback about yourself. Ask them for input on what are you good at; what are opportunities for you to improve; what are your strengths and what do they see as your work priorities?

As you go through the process, remember, what you do well and what comes naturally for you -- is the most important piece of information for your search for your dream job. Not everyone can that well and naturally. In the trade, we call this a clue to your dream job. F*R*E*E Online Tests There are multitudes of free tests available to you online. Most will give you a shortened report to tease you into buying the full report of their product. Some will give you the short version of their assessment and the shortened report. They are all good starting points for learning who you are. Ultimately, only you will know you.

Take a few of these and notice trends and patterns about yourself. See the general direction they point. Evaluate how well that matches to where you want to go. I have included personality tests as well. You have to know the whole you.

For personality assessments here are two: Keirsey Temperament sorter at http://www.keirsey.com/sorter/register.aspx Myers-Briggs personality type at http://www.personalitypathways.com/type_inventory.html

For job or career assessments: The CAREERLINK is a career information system designed and developed by the counseling department at Monterey Peninsula College. You can find it at www.mpcfaculty.net/CL/cl.htm The Coach Compass Assessment http://www.coachcompass.com/ "The O*NET system serves as the nation's primary source of occupational information, providing comprehensive information on key attributes and characteristics of workers and occupations." See if their claim is true for you at online.onetcenter.org. Finally, from Rutgers University careerservices.rutgers.edu/OCAmain.html.

Reality Check As you complete these, keep your expectations in check. No test will result in immediate career satisfaction or give you a 100% accurate choice. As I said earlier, only you know you. The tests are best interpreted as suggesting a field of work, rather than a single job.

If you need something more precise, it may be in your best interest to contact a professional. Jane Herman, a business success coach and author of the book, "Take Control Of Your Life," said "It helps to enlist the support of someone with an unbiased perspective. Many people seek out career or life coaches for exactly this purpose," says Herman.

You could ask family and friends for career advice. But, be aware -- people close to you have a defined image of who you are as a person. Consequently, they may not be comfortable suggesting ways for you to become someone different.

I can help you sort through your skills, experiences and your dreams to get the right job for you. I can assist you in creating a skills inventory, creating a polished Brand You Sound bite, and getting you on the path to your dream job. Don’t wait, contact me now.

A dream with a plan is a goal. A goal without a plan is just a dream.

Warmly, Elisabeth

Elisabeth Adler-Lund Executive And Life Coaching Telephone: 916 • 803•1494 E-mail: eal@EALCoaching.com