Self-knowledge

If you havent decided on a career that best
suits you, it is best to spend some time
appraising your capabilities. Get to know
your abilities and its limitations,
learn about the skills you have acquired,
ask yourself what motivates you, what are
your interests.Get acquianted with background
issues or constraints, such as geography and
mobility,affecting
your choice.

You may then begin to incorporate this
considerations to identify matching jobs,
and prospective employers. Zoom in on the
skills you wish to apply on the job, your
feelings towards self improvement,
what sort of working environments most
appeal to you, and the lifestyle you want
have and so on. Picture this in a structured way:

* See your schools career adviser and
ask for some advice.

* Enjoy the benefits of the internet,
browse into sites that tackle career choices,
and get an interactive advice.

* If your college offers one, take a
psychometric test. It will help with your
self-analysis. Numeracy,literacy and
diagrammatic reasoning tests is also very
helpful as it can highlight your skills and
strengths. It could also serve as
a practice run for some employers' selection processes.

* Take self-assessment exercises found
on the web.

Your personal profile should then surface
as you do these activities, which will be
very useful when you are making application
letters. You should also be able to employ
your profile as a supporting evidence that
you have what it takes to fulfill
employers requirements.

Your skills

What do most employeers seek in a potential
employee? The answer to this is evidence of
skills;to be accurate, the over-all skills
necessary to be effective in a wide range of jobs.

Here are some sample skills:

* working independently;

* planning time effectively;

* working under pressure and to
deadlines;

* reading, analysing and synthesising
vast amounts of material;

* solving problems;

* thinking originally and imaginatively;

* taking the initiative;

* articulating ideas and thoughts
orally and in writing;

* adapting to different circumstances;

* presenting information in various
ways (seminar papers, examination questions,
group discussions, projects or presentations,
laboratory reports).

* organisational skills;

* ability to take responsibility for
self and others;

* knowledge of the world of work;

* willingness to care/empathise;

* motivating others;

* improved communication skills;

* how to work in a team;

* ability to deal with difficult
situations.

Also, do not overlook your hobbies and
interests, voluntary work or community
involvement - they can provide evidence
of your abilities. It is important to
start thinking about yourself in this way
because employers will.

If you are a mature graduate or job changer,
or have been made redundant, you will
probably have more evidence of relevant
skills and experience to draw on. Present
this in a positive way that an employer
will value. It is easy to take your skills
and experience for granted. Banish words
like ‘only' and ‘just' from your vocabulary.