Spot Careers That Meet Your Goals

The next step is to see if your current career matches your list and if it doesn’t, locate careers that do! Look out for overlaps in your Skills, Values, and Interests list. Are there any job titles that fit these overlaps? Pass copies of your list to friends and family and ask for their opinion on jobs from different areas where your skills are valuable. Find out what skills are required for specific careers. A professional Career Consultant can provide support like:

1. Helping to evaluate and prioritize your skills, values, and interests.
2. Matching your Skills, Values and Interests with job titles.
3. Helping you to focus on potential careers.
4. Finding job openings in your fields of interest.
5. Grooming you for interviews.
6. Helping you polish documents like cover letters, resumes, and applications.

Career counseling can be instrumental in this early stage of your job search. A counselor would evaluate your strengths and weaknesses, recognize overlaps in your SVI list, and suggest potential career areas. Counselors will also help you identify your goals and look out for potential offers that satisfy your needs.

Distinguishing Between Skills, Values & Interests

The easiest ways to determine your skills, values, and interests is to make a list of them and describe how you have used each skill in your life, whether professionally or in other areas. Remember, this exercise is only valuable if you connect the skills, values, and interests from your lists to your life by describing when you have actually used or done them in the past or present. If you are having trouble determining your skills, the information below can help you get started.

1. Skills are things you can do well. Identify 20-40 skills that you have and be sure to note specific technical skills like Word skills, Excel skills, and the like.

Examples of Skills: Analytical, Budgeting, Communication, Computing, Counseling, Debating/Language, Excel, Writing, Word, Technical, Teamwork, Team Management, Project Management, Programming, Planning, Organizational, Negotiation, Leadership, Interpersonal, Internet, Staff Hiring.

2. Values are principles you find important or motivating. Note the values that are most important to you. These can help you narrow your search during job selection. High salary, recognition, prestige, travel opportunities, etc. are some examples of values. Write down around 10-15.

Examples of Values: Adventure, Aesthetics, Altruism, Belonging, Challenges, Commitment, Creativity, Ethics, Family, Fairness, Honesty, Independence, Love, Prestige, Recognition, Respect, Responsibility, Salary, Security, Self-esteem, Travel opportunity, Trust, Vacation, Variety.

3. Interests are things you like doing. Ask yourself what you enjoy. Examine both your personal and professional interests, such as writing, socializing, programming, etc. Some people are willing to pay you to do what you love doing. Write down at least 30-40 things you enjoy doing.

Examples of Interests: Arts, Organizing or Participating in Conferences, Dancing, Designing, Dressmaking, Entertainment, Exercising, Gardening, Internet, Jewelry making, Painting, Piloting, Racing, Sculpting, Singing, Socializing, Table games, Team games, Traveling, Water sports, Woodworking, Writing.