Ready?

Start with yourself.

In order to find satisfying work, you need to start with yourself. Develop a personal profile, a self-assessment. What are your interests, strengths, preferences, and dreams? What do you need and want in a job? As you continue reading, pay attention to your particular interests, your likes and your dislikes. Figuring out what you don't want to do can be just as important as knowing what you want. Questions to ask yourself include:

• What is important to me in a job?
  Environment, amount and style of supervision, opportunities to learn, work culture, geographic location, wages and benefits, opportunities to advance, independence, respect, how the job is set up.
• What motivates me to work?
  Money, meeting people, making friends, seeing the results of my work, working for a cause, using my talents and abilities, independence.
• What life experiences have shaped who I am and what I offer as a worker?
  Travel or living in different places, projects or classes from school, community activities or groups I am involved with, volunteer or other work experiences, hobbies, close personal relationships, knowledge and expertise, roles and experiences in my family.
• How do I learn best?
  In a classroom, one-on-one, using verbal or written instruction, in small doses, being shown how to do the job, supervisory meetings, with a mentor.
• What kind of support do I need on the job?
  Daily check-ins with supervisor, job coaching, accommodations, assistive technology, weekly supervision, peer support, work site mentor, meetings outside of work, help with time management or priority setting.
• What kinds of tasks do I want (and not want) to do on my job?
  Repetition or variety, sitting down, standing or moving around, teamwork or on my own, physical labor, level of coworker or customer interaction, computer, paperwork, travel.
• What is your dream job? Come on, everyone has one--anything goes! What is most appealing about your dream? How can you apply this to your career path?
  So you want to be owner of the New England Patriots... Why? Is it the wealth? The power and control? The popularity, fame, and notoriety? The challenge and competition? Your passion for football? Your athletic skill? Your geographic loyalty and pride?

Although self-assessment involves reviewing your skills and experiences, it is much more than that-- you are also recognizing your dreams. Your dreams can drive your planning. Believing in yourself and your abilities is always the starting point.

Self-Assessment Techniques

There are various methods of self-assessment.

If you prefer to...

...take a closer look on your own:

There are many excellent career exploration books that include self-evaluation exercises. One is What Color is Your Parachute by Richard Nelson Bolles. There are also interactive computer software packages and internet tools available that are simple to use and can increase awareness while matching your skills and interests to potential employment options. These resources are generally available for purchase, or you can find them at your public library, college career center, or local One-Stop Career Center.

One-Stop Career Centers

One-Stop Career Centers are located throughout the U.S. and offer a variety of career development and job search services to the general public. Membership is free, and joining more than one center is okay. Centers are required to meet the needs of all job seekers who want to use them. You can bring someone with you if you need help using the center. Check in regularly and take advantage of ongoing resources and activities:

• Job postings
• Computer stations with connections to the internet
• Information about different types of employment opportunities and careers
• Job seeker support groups
• Employer events such as on-site recruiting and job fairs
• Job-seeking skills workshops on topics like resume writing and interviewing
• Community information about training, job fairs, and career seminars

To find out the location of One-Stop Centers in your area, contact America's Service Locator online at www.servicelocator.org or by phone at (877) 872-5627; TTY (877) 889-5627.

If you prefer to...

... get some support from people in your life:

You may choose to use the help of a personal career team--a team of people who know you well and can help you to gather information, both about yourself and about your options. Other people sometimes can offer a fresh perspective. They may see strengths and talents in you that you had not thought about. For example, there may be other aspects in your life, such as a passion for gourmet cooking, that involve transferable skills useful in a variety of jobs. They also may have valuable contacts and connections to share. You choose your team members. Consider including family, friends, past employers, past or present co-workers, neighbors, professionals, and service providers. The most important qualification for a team member is that he/she believes in you and your ability to reach your goals.

You can get information from team members through one-on-one conversation or through group planning meeting(s). If you choose to brainstorm with your team in a meeting, it is important to have someone to facilitate the discussion. This person can set guidelines and make sure everyone has a chance to share their ideas and suggestions. When using a team, it is important that you be the focus. This is your life, your job search, and your dream.

If you prefer to...

... work with a professional:

A vocational rehabilitation counselor or career counselor can provide guidance in your career development. He or she can:

• suggest and administer assessment tools used to help you identify your likes, dislikes, and preferences and to suggest types of jobs and settings which these characteristics might best fit. These can often lead to a new level of self-awareness and open up new avenues for career exploration.
• help you to stay motivated.
• provide information about labor market trends.
• help you to explore issues relating to your learning style and accommodation needs.
• help you use a personal career team to its fullest, perhaps helping with coordination, meeting logistics, or facilitation.

Career counselors can be found in a number of settings-- at your state Vocational Rehabilitation agency, college or university career services office, local One-Stop Career Center, or practicing privately in your community. Ask for referrals from others who have used similar services.

Vocational Rehabilitation Agencies

Each state in the U.S. has a public Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) agency. These agencies provide assistance to eligible persons with disabilities in meeting their employment goals. In general, VR operates in two ways. They provide services directly to individuals, such as career counseling, planning, and assessment. VR also often funds other community organizations and private contractors to provide more intensive services to job seekers such as job placement or job coaching. They might also pay for training, school, or college. For more information or to find your local Vocational Rehabilitation office, go to www.nchrtm.okstate.edu/pages/state_vr.html or consult the government section of your phone book.

Whatever approach you use, the self-assessment step is crucial in your career development, as it gives you a starting point for your job search. Next, it is time to "Get Set" and begin to focus on career options that uniquely match you.