| Are you wanting to switch careers or explore new job | | | | assignments or projects? |
| options? Perhaps you are unhappy with your current | | | | 4. What extracurricular activities did you participate in |
| career, but unsure of what your options are. Maybe | | | | at your high school and/or college? |
| you have so many options that you feel overwhelmed. | | | | (To which groups did you belong, and what areas did |
| Whatever your situation, taking some time out for a | | | | you sign up to offer your contributions? Were you on |
| self-evaluation prior to making any big change is a | | | | the school paper or yearbook committee? Did you |
| smart move. It's probably been a while since you last | | | | enjoy building stage sets for the theater group or work |
| thought about your natural talents and abilities! Career | | | | as a deejay for your school radio program? Were |
| coaching can help you uncover and identify those | | | | you a sports team member or assistant coach? |
| talents and abilities that, once realized, can lead you on | | | | Computer or math club?) |
| a journey to greater career fulfillment. | | | | 5. Think back to all the memorable moments in your life |
| Try the following brainstorming exercise, meant to help | | | | where you were congratulated or acknowledged for |
| you pull out the best parts of your professional | | | | your efforts. What did you do at that time to warrant |
| personality. All you need is a pen and paper or your | | | | recognition? If you can think back to notes of thanks, |
| computer, and some quiet time to reflect. There are no | | | | testimonials or other expressions of appreciation, what |
| right or wrong answers here. Just be honest with | | | | messages did people have to say about your best |
| yourself. When we're reasonable about what we can | | | | qualities? |
| achieve, we're better matched to a future position, one | | | | 6. When asked to write your performance reviews for |
| that satisfies us because we're already inclined to | | | | previous jobs, which areas did you most excel at, and |
| perform that particular role and do it well. | | | | in what ways? Take some time to explain, citing |
| 1. As a child, what types of leisure activities did you | | | | examples of moments where you exhibited stellar |
| enjoy most? | | | | performance on the job. |
| (Were you handy with tools? Good at making crafts? | | | | When you're finished writing out the answers to the |
| Did you write stories, enjoy brain teasers? What about | | | | above questions, go back and re-read your answers. |
| sports or outdoor exploration? Were you a budding | | | | What personal attributes can you see popping up |
| entrepreneur, with lemonade stands, a paper route, or | | | | repeatedly over the course of your life? Can you think |
| other lucrative childhood pursuits? What about science | | | | of different types of jobs where you'd be able to best |
| projects or caring for and spending time with pets?) | | | | utilize these skills and personal strengths? |
| 2. When asked to volunteer for a group project, | | | | Congratulations! You have just taken the first |
| whether it's on the job, with your church, school, or | | | | necessary step to uncovering your career skillset. Now |
| another place, in which areas do you typically offer | | | | try your hand at writing your resume. If you have |
| your assistance? | | | | additional questions or want to take the next step in |
| 3. Which electives did you sign up to take in high | | | | uncovering a career that fits for you, review the |
| school, college, or other training school? Out of those, | | | | career coaching and career teleclasses page from for |
| which classes stand out in your mind as being the | | | | more information. |
| easiest and most enjoyable for you? Which ones did | | | | Copyright 2006 Hallie Crawford. All rights reserved. |
| you get the best grades in, and for what types of | | | | |