Self Assessment

Self-assessment involves examining your interests, values, personality, and skills. Starting with the self-assessment process can give you more choices and increase your confidence that you are on the right career path. When your career choices are aligned with your interests, values, personality, and skills, you increase the chance to find a rewarding position.
 
A self-assessment process can reveal your personal attributes, values, skills, and interests, all of which help you make informed career choices that are appropriate. Areas of Self-Assessment include:

Determining your Interests
Job satisfaction is closely linked to having an interest in the tasks you perform. Involvement with activities in which you are interested can make it easier to become successful. To help you determine your interests and the tasks that will bring you satisfaction, think about your current successes. Start by making a list of your accomplishments, those projects in which you did well, and from which you derived a sense of pride, achievement, and satisfaction.
 
Considering your Values
Understand what is most important to you. Pursuing work that is consistent with your values can also provide work satisfaction. Do you believe in the mission of the organization (essential when considering a not-for-profit organization)? Do you want to work with an organization that follows green policies? Lifestyle issues such as salary, geographic location, flexible work hours, and commuting time are also factors that should be considered.
 
Understanding your Personality
Research shows that personality traits have a major role in job satisfaction and success. Determining whether you are the right “fit” for a job often centers on an evaluation of a number factors, including personality.
 
Personality inventories can provide insight into how your personality compares to others and your work preferences.
 
Exploring your Skills
Identify what are your key abilities, talents, and strengths. Common examples include interpersonal, communication, leadership, and organizational skills that you may have developed through employment, activities (e.g. campus, religious, civic, etc.), or volunteer projects.
 
Your Self-Assessment
Begin your self-assessment by reviewing and answering these questions. Write down your answers in a document or spreadsheet. Discuss your self-assessment with people that know your well to fine-tune your results.
In what areas have I received praise or recognition?
Do I enjoy activities that relate to people, things, or data?
Do I prefer a regular routine or an ever-changing schedule?
Do I prefer to work as part of a team or alone?
Do I prefer to lead or follow?
Do I prefer to communicate in writing or verbally?
Do I enjoy analyzing complex issues, problems, or data?
Do I enjoy creative activities and artistic endeavors? How important is work/life balance to me?
 
Your self-assessment can be an iterative process. Periodically, revisit your answers and adjust accordingly.