Before embarking on a career transition, it's crucial to have a clear understanding of your values, skills, interests, and aspirations. This module will guide you through a comprehensive self-assessment process and help you set meaningful career goals.
Your values are the principles that guide your decisions and behaviours. They play a crucial role in career satisfaction.
a) Common workplace values:
• Integrity
• Teamwork
• Innovation
• Work-life balance
• Professional growth
• Social responsibility
b) How to identify your core values:
• Reflect on peak experiences in your life and career
• Consider what makes you feel fulfilled or frustrated
• Take a values assessment test
c) Aligning career choices with personal values:
• Research company cultures and missions
• Ask about values during interviews
• Consider how different careers align with your priorities
Understanding your skillset is crucial for career planning.
a) Types of skills:
• Hard skills (technical, job-specific skills)
• Soft skills (interpersonal, transferable skills)
b) Methods for skill assessment:
• Self-reflection
• Feedback from colleagues and supervisors
• Skills assessment tools and tests
c) Identifying strengths:
• What tasks do you excel at?
• What do others frequently compliment you on?
• When do you feel most confident and energised?
d) Recognising areas for improvement:
• What tasks do you struggle with?
• What skills are required in your desired career that you currently lack?
• How can you address these skill gaps?
Aligning your career with your interests can lead to greater job satisfaction.
a) Techniques for exploring interests:
• Reflect on hobbies and activities you enjoy
• Consider subjects you loved studying
• Think about what you like to read or learn about in your free time
b) Connecting interests to potential careers:
• Research careers that align with your interests
• Conduct informational interviews with professionals in fields that interest you
• Consider how your interests could add value in different roles or industries
Your work style and preferred environment can significantly impact job satisfaction.
a) Aspects of work style to consider:
• Do you prefer working independently or in a team?
• Are you more productive in a structured or flexible environment?
• Do you thrive under pressure or prefer a steady pace?
b) Elements of work environment:
• Physical space (open plan, private office, remote work)
• Organisational culture (formal, casual, collaborative)
• Management style (hands-on, autonomous)
• Work schedule (9-5, flexible hours, shift work)
c) Identifying your ideal work environment:
• Reflect on past work experiences
• Consider what elements make you most productive and satisfied
• Think about what aspects of work environments have frustrated you in the past
SMART goals are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. They provide a clear roadmap for your career transition.
Specific: Clearly define what you want to achieve
• Instead of "Get a better job", try "Secure a marketing manager position in a tech startup"
Measurable: Establish concrete criteria for measuring progress
• "Increase my salary by 20%" or "Obtain two new certifications in my field"
Achievable: Set goals that are challenging but possible
• Consider your current skills, resources, and time constraints
Relevant: Ensure your goals align with your broader career aspirations and values
Time-bound: Set a timeframe for achieving your goals
• "Within the next 12 months" or "By the end of Q2"
Examples of SMART career goals:
• "Transition from my current role in finance to a project management position in the renewable energy sector within 18 months"
• "Increase my professional network by attending two industry networking events per month and making five new meaningful connections at each event"
• "Launch my freelance graphic design business and secure three regular clients within the next six months"
Comprehensive Self-Assessment and Goal Setting
1. Values Assessment:
◦ List your top 5 personal values
◦ Write a paragraph on how these values relate to your career aspirations
2. Skills Inventory:
◦ Create a list of your top 10 skills, categorised into hard and soft skills
◦ Identify 3 skills you'd like to develop or improve
3. Interest Exploration:
◦ List 5 topics or activities you're passionate about
◦ Research and list 3 potential careers related to each interest
4. Work Style Reflection:
◦ Describe your ideal work environment in detail
◦ Reflect on how this aligns or conflicts with your current or desired career path
5. SMART Goal Setting:
Based on your self-assessment, create three SMART career goals:
▪ One short-term goal (3-6 months)
▪ One medium-term goal (6-18 months)
▪ One long-term goal (2-5 years)
This comprehensive self-assessment and goal-setting exercise will provide you with valuable insights into your career aspirations and a clear direction for your transition. Remember, self-assessment is an ongoing process. Regularly revisit and update your assessment as you progress in your career journey.