How To Ensure You And A Job Are Compatible
Everyone has one goal as adults: find a job and be successful. Whether you are a recent college graduate or in need of a new job, job seekers have found the difficulties in achieving this goal. According to The Atlantic, “53.6 percent of recent college grads are jobless or underemployed.” With a record breaking percentage such as this, it is important to be prepared when you are job searching. Spend your time wisely applying to jobs that are right for you, rather than applying to just any job. How do you know if a job is right for you? You will know when you see that the details of a job description are compatible to the traits and skills you possess. One way to ensure compatibility is by conducting a self-assessment. Great Jobs for Communications Majors provides a seven-step process to act as a guide:
1. Understanding your personal traits
Your personal traits are the words that describe you. Make a list of your personal traits, and then circle the ten that describe you the most. These are the ten personal traits you want to refer to when job searching. When your personal traits are utilized at work, your job experience can feel fulfilling.
2. Identifying your personal values
This is where you list your personal values that you consider to be important at a job, such as working conditions and values you believe to be important principles. Also, make note of working conditions you would not accept.
3. Calculating your economic needs
You need to find a job which offers a salary that fits your lifestyle. Make a realistic budget of your monthly expenses, multiply it by twelve months (monthly x 12), include taxes (yearly x 1.35), and this will give you an estimated yearly salary. Try to find areas to reduce spending if possible.
4. Exploring your longer-term goals
Spend time briefly listing the long-term goals you desire at this time.
5. Enumerating your skill base
Employers are interested in knowing which specific skills you possess, rather than general skills. Write a list of general skills you have. Take the list and re-write them, except provide a specific task that implies you are qualified. Demonstrate to employers that you are capable of succeeding with the requirements they request.
6. Recognizing your preferred skills
Take your list of skills and weigh them out. Which ones would you prefer to use more than others?
7. Assessing skills needing further development
Make a list of skills that you would like to acquire. Consider what specific tasks you can do in order to obtain these skills. This can help you potentially land a job you are interested in, yet may not have all the qualifications for it. It can also be a learning experience for you.
So the next time you are searching for a job, remember to take out your self-assessment. It will help you learn about yourself, save you time, and find a job that is compatible to the personal traits and skills you possess!
