2011

Career Development Manual

My personal career development 2011:

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Are you concerned about the future? Are you unsure how to start your career? Do you need to make changes in your direction? Are you concerned about finding stable and secure work?

The Career Development Manual is designed to help you consider these questions and many, many more! The most important things we have learned are that:
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The world of work is rapidly changing Employers are interested in hiring people who can demonstrate their skills and abilities You will need to develop goals and strategies to make your dreams come true You are in charge of your own career You need to be proactive

The Career Development Manual has been prepared to guide you through the necessary steps, whether you are looking for your 1st or your 21st job. In order to help you do this in an efficient and effective way, the Manual has been organized into six steps. SECTION 1 : SELF ASSESSMENT Welcome to Step 1! Completing Step 1 will help you to:
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Understand why self assessment is a key factor leading to career success Conduct a complete assessment of your personality, interests, values, skills, learning needs and self -employment potential Know what you are looking for in your career

The First Step to Career Success!

6 LifeWork Planning 5 Work 4 Networks & Contacts 3 Decision Making 2 Research 1 Self Assessment
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Personality

Values

Skills

Interests

Knowledge & Learning

Entrepreneurism

In the past it was normal for students to declare a diploma or a degree related to a career; complete a prescribed set of studies; find a job in a related field; and stay in that field until they retired. One decision and that was it! Today, however, it is far more common for individuals to change their interests, do several career searches and changes in a lifetime. People change their careers for a variety of reasons. For example, they did not make a wise choice initially; the career they selected no longer exists; they want to match their changing values and needs to a new set of career possibilities. Making the right plans for your future during these changing times can be difficult. Starting with the self assessment process can give you more choices and broaden your options. You then can have the confidence that you are on the r ight career path. A self assessment can reveal your characteristics, interests, values and skills. It will define your strengths and your weaknesses. Looking for a match between these and the work you are considering is the most important step you can take before you write a Rsum or begin the search for a job. In fact, when the time comes to write your Rsum and prepare for a job interview, you will find the task easier if you have completed the self -assessment process first! You are the place to start. Ask yourself:
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What do I do well? What am I good at? What do others tell me? What do I enjoy doing? What turns me on? What energizes me?

Answers to these types of questions and many others will help you identify your strengths and make decisions around the contributions you can make. Many people try to fit into jobs advertised in newspapers or other sources. The employer today has many qualified candidates from which to choose. You will be seriously considered for a position only by showing the employer that you know who you are, what you can offer and where you are going. You will need to commit some time to prepare your personal inventory. Your honesty and the quality of your work will predict your level of success in getting the right job. Write out your answers and the conclusions you come to as a permanent record of your thoughts and feelings. This data then becomes an important resource as you continue in your career planning and work search activities. In order to prepare for this process, the first step is to complete the Pride Experience exercise. "What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us." ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson Step 1.1: Pride Experiences
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This exercise will enable you to lay the foundation for assessing your interests, values and skills. The process may take from 20-60 minutes Developing Your Pride List List experiences from your past that is positive for you. These are things that you are proud of, that make you feel energized as you recall them. Include your earliest memories. They can be anything from building a house to drawing a picture or running a race. It only matters how you feel about it. The standard to use in choosing items for this list is your own pride in feeling "I did that mys elf!" Examples of pride experiences are:
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Coached my soccer team to a winning season Created an innovative new procedure and trained staff how to use it Designed a go-kart with 2 friends and won first prize in a race Doubled the sales volume in my product area in a two-year period Earned enough money to travel through Europe by holding three part -time jobs Helped solve an important personal problem for an employee or neighbour Initiated a program, product or procedure at my job Learned to swim and dive at age seven Raised R1,000 organizing a raffle for my children's school Remodelled and redecorated part of my house Set up and ran a summer business that earned enough profit to pay for my school tuition Successfully managed a difficult project to co mpletion Taught myself how to create a web site by studying a how -to book Wrote an innovative database program to help my class manage a research project

Put items down in the order that they occur to you, without prioritising them. It is ideal if you can come up with 20-25 items. Some people prefer to write these down on a blank sheet of paper. Others prefer to use a chart to record the pride list. Remember that it is important to write about things you did in a variety of life roles (such as parenting, cooking, volunteering, learning as a student, etc.). One aspect of career development is the art of prioritising. Choose from your pride list the top seven activities according to your pride in them, joy in doing them, and level of energy in recalling the m. Be sure to pick things from a variety of life roles. Identify these in order of preference.

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Step 1.1.1: My Pride List

Age

Education

Work

Family

Leisure

5-15 Ste p 1.1. 2: Writi ng Your Stori es: Prid e Exp erie nces

16-25

26-35

On a sep arat e she et of 36-45 pap er or in your wor d proc esso r, 45+ write a shor t stor y abo ut each of your seven favourite experiences. Depending on how much you write, this process can take from 30 minutes to a few hours. Describe exactly what you did in each situation, what you accomplished and what you enjoyed. Try to be precise when you present figures, percentages, etc.
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It is very important to overcome your natural modesty and your reluctance to blow your own horn! You may find it helpful to write these stories as if you were explaining them to a child. When we are speaking with children, we use clear language and provide a lot of detail. Keep in mind that you need to describe these exper iences using words from all of your senses: what you saw, heard, felt, smelled and tasted. It is also helpful to describe your experiences from the perspectives of how you felt at the time and how you feel now as you recall them. Remember to provide details. For example: Rather than "I was a waiter" write "I waited on ten tables at one time, taking orders from all the people at the table as to what they wanted to eat, then I gave the orders in at the kitchen to the cooks. I had to keep in mind who had been served with what, and keep some kind of timing schedule in my head so that I would know which table had waited the longest for its next course of food." Once you have completed this exercise, you are ready to go to Step 1.2. Heres a great way to do this e xercise and have a lot of fun in the process!
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Get together with 3-4 of your friends o Think of people you know (e.g., other employees) who are in a similar situation to yours o These should be people who you consider allies, whose judgment you trust Spend an afternoon and share your pride stories with each other o Take turns; one person tells all of their stories while the others listen and write down the skills and characteristics that they hear o When a person has read all of their stories, the group recites back all of the skills and characteristics they have heard and then give their written sheets to the storyteller o Use the checklists in the sections that follow to identify each others' interes ts, values and skills.

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Step 1.2: Understanding Your Personality & Characteristics This exercise will help you to identify key elements of your personality. This process will take 15-30 minutes One of the most important factors in determining your happi ness and success in a job is understanding your personality, also referred to as characteristics or attitudes. You have now identified your Pride Experiences and written stories. If you have not completed this exercise, please go back to Step 1.1 . Evaluate who you really are by referring to the stories as you complete the following exercise. Be honest when you judge your thoughts, feelings, attitudes and behaviours. To continue to Step 1.3, click here. Step 1.2.1: Personality Checklist You will notice that the checklist is divided into six sections with similar personality clusters. You will learn more about these clusters in the section on Interests. Read your stories and scan the checklist. Put a check to show each characteristic that applies to yo u from each of the stories. If you have not completed this exercise, please go back to Step 1.1 . Add to the list other characteristics describing you. Check with your friends and/or family. Do they see you as you see yourself?
Personality & Characteristics Section R Story # Total

Athletic Conforming Down-to-earth Frank Persistent Practical Rugged Self-reliant Stable

Section R Totals

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Personality & Characteristics Section I

Story #

Total

Analytical Calm Confident Curious Independent Intellectual Inventive Logical Precise

Section I Totals

Personality & Characteristics Section A

Story #

Total

Creative Emotional Expressive Flexible Idealistic Imaginative Impulsive Intuitive Original

Section A Totals

Personality & Characteristics Section S

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Story #

Total

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Co-operative Empathetic Friendly Helpful Insightful Kind Sensitive Tactful Understanding

Section S Totals

Personality & Characteristics Section E

Story #

Total

Adventurous Ambitious Assertive Competitive Driving Energetic Enthusiastic Persuasive Powerful

Section E Totals

Personality & Characteristics Section C

Story #

Total

Accurate Careful Dependable

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Detailed Efficient Orderly Organized Persistent Thorough

Section C Totals

Personality & Characteristics Insert your own descriptive words

Story #

Total

Congratulations on assessing your personality and characteristics! Go back and review this list again. Highlight the top 5 characteristics. This information will be helpful when you get to the section on Interests. To continue with your self assessment, pl ease go to Step 1.3 . Step 1.3: Understanding Your Values This exercise will help you to clarify your values. This process will take 15 -30 minutes Have you ever wondered what causes someone to study for years to enter a career such as engineering or law while another person will look for the quickest way to make money? What causes someone to switch his or her career midstream? The answer to these questions is values. If you value good health, you will make time for daily exercise and proper nutrition. If you value career satisfaction, you will take time to examine your values and make choices that are consistent with them. This section will help you to identify what is needed in your work environment t o enable you to feel satisfied with your job. Understanding your values is also essential to preventing conflict in the workplace. There is more in us than we know. If we can be made to see it, perhaps for the rest of our lives, we will be unwilling to settle for less. ~Kurt Hahn
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Step 1.3.1: Your Values As with section 1.2, you will notice that the checklist is divided into six sections with similar values clusters. You will learn more about these clusters in the section on Interests. Read your pride stories and scan the checklist. Put a check to show each value that applies to you. Add to the list other values that describe you.
Values Clarification Section R Story # Total

Be able to move around in my work Do hands-on work Meet clear standards See the results of my work Work outdoors
Section R Totals

Section I

Be able to structure my own work Be recognized for my knowledge Contribute new learning to a field Demonstrate high degrees of skill Engage in complex questions & demanding tasks
Section I Totals

Section A

Be able to write or present ideas Be free to express my uniqueness Be involved in studying or creating beauty Create new ideas, programs or structures Have personal control over my life & lifestyle
Section A Totals

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Section S

Be involved in helping others directly Contribute to the betterment of the world Feel that my work is making a difference Have opportunities for self -development Work with others toward common goals
Section S Totals

Section E

Be able to get ahead rapidly Be in a position to change opinions Have a high standard of living Have the power to influence others activities Impress others, have respect & status
Section E Totals

Section C

Carry out responsibilities and meet requirements Complete work where attention to detail is required Do work where employment is secure Do work where tasks are clear Have regular hours and predictable work
Section C Totals

Insert additional values

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Congratulations on clarifying your values! Highlight the top 5 values that are most important for you. This information will be helpful when you get to the section on Interests. Please continue with Section 1.4 where you will learn to assess your skills. Step 1.4: Analysing Your Skills This exercise will help you to define and identify your skills. This process will take 15 -30 minutes A skill is learned ability to do something well. Skills are the currency used by workers. In the labour market you receive pay in exchange for the skills that you offer and use at work. Individuals who can describe themselves to a potential employer in terms of their skills are more likely to find the work that they wa nt and enjoy. If you were asked right now to list your skills, what would your list look like? It might be a short list, not because you do not have the skills, but simply because you have never been asked to identify them and are not accustomed to thinkin g and talking about them. Each person has approximately 700 different skills in their repertoire. Most individuals have trouble identifying them and if they do recognize them, they dont feel right promoting them. However, you cannot afford this kind of misdirected modesty. Before you can be confident about your ability to move through a changing work world, you have to realistically know what your strengths are. Step 1.4.1: Analysing Your Skills As with the previous sections, you will notice that the check list is divided into six sections with similar skills clusters. You will learn more about these clusters in the section on Interests. Read your pride stories and scan the checklist. Put a check to show each skill that you used in the story. Check key words that stand out to you.
Skills Analysis Section R Story # Total

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 #

Be athletic or use physical coordination & agility Build or construct things or structures Do skilled crafts or use hand coordination with tools Operate vehicles, machines or electronic equipment Repair or set up machines or equipment Work with earth and nature
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Section R Totals Section I

1 2 3 4 5 6

7 Total #

Analyse, use logic, problem solve, examine or classify Conceive, adapt, develop, hypothesize or discover Evaluate, assess, test, appraise, diagnose or reason Observe, reflect, study or notice Research, investigate, read or interview Synthesize, integrate, unify or conceptualize ideas
Section I Totals

Section A

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Total #

Entertain, perform, amuse, sing, dance or act Perceive intuitively, sense, show insight or have foresight Use artistic ability, photograph, decorate, paint or sculpt Use creativity, visualize, imagine, brainstorm or design Use musical ability, sing, compose or play instruments Write, edit, translate, interpret or critique words
Section A Totals

Section S

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Total #

Care, treat, heal, nurse, minister to or rehabilitate others Counsel, empower, coach, guide or listen to individuals Host, comfort, please, make welcome or serve customers Plan social, recreational or other group events Problem-solve, mediate or liaise with people Teach, train, instruct, inform or explain to groups
Section S Totals
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Section E

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Total #

Administer, set goals & priorities, plan or make decisions Advise, consult, arbitrate or influence Initiate, assess needs, anticipate or create change Manage people, delegate, direct, oversee or motivate Sell, negotiate, convince, promote or persuade Speak in public, debate, advocate, present or demonstrate
Section E Totals

Section C

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Total #

Account, budget, program or systematize financial data Attend to detail, copy, inspect or transcribe Compute, calculate, compare or record numbers Forecast, appraise or estimate numerical information Implement, monitor, coordinate, expedite or schedule Organize, file, update, categorize or arrange information
Section C Totals

Insert additional skills

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Total #

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Congratulations on identifying your skills! Highlight the top 5 skills that are most important to you. This information will be helpful when you review the Interests section next in Step 1.5 . Step 1.5: Understanding Your Career Interests This step will help you to organize the information from the previous sections . You will learn how to relate your vocational personality to career planning . This process will take 15-20 minutes. Step 1.5.1: Understanding Your Career Interests In the previous three sections, the characteristics, values and skills sections were organized into six clusters. Please transfer your top five (the 5 items that you like the most or that are most similar to you) from each of the exercises to the chart below. Please check which cluster area they belong to and total the number below. You may find that you have dominant interest cluster(s) that emerge.
My Top 5 Characteristics R I A S E C

1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
Total number of characteristics for each column My Top 5 Values R I A S E C

1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
Total number of values for each column My Top 5 Skills R I A S E C

1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
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Total number of skills for each column Total for all sections

Review the six Holland themes presented in this section, consider which ones are most similar to you based on your scores from the exercises and your thoughts from reviewing the descriptions. Complete the section below to help you create a summary listing for this section.
# Holland Theme Potential Educational or Occupational Options of Interest to Me 1

You are now ready to go to Step 1.5.2: Understanding the Career Clusters which will help you to learn how your skills, values and interests related to specific career areas. Step 1.5.2: Understanding Career Clusters The career clusters used in this Manual are based upon the research and development work of the vocational psychologist Dr. John Holland. Refer to your column totals from the table in Step 1.5.1 . You will notice that one, two or perhaps three letters had more checks than others. In other words, natural career clusters formed. In this model there are six vocational types. You can learn about each of these by clicking on the word:
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Realistic Investigative Artistic Social Enterprising Conventional

They can be arranged in a hexagon as presented below. The types that are closest to each other are most similar; the types that are opposite one another are the most different from one another. You may also identify with a s econd or possible third type. Your combination of career interests can help you to understand what types of work and
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learning you would enjoy and do well at. A detailed description of each of these types follows.

Step 1.6: Knowledge & Learning Style In addition to finding out who you are by reviewing and assessing your characteristics, values and skills, it is also important to consider your knowledge and learning style. Throughout your life, you have learned information by attending classes, working on projects, reading independently, travelling and many other methods. It is important at this stage to assess what you know and how you like to learn. This process will help you to identify your core knowledge and learning style . It will take 20-30 minutes

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Step 1.6.1: Identifying Your Style 1. Identifying Your Knowledge Areas You can use the space provided below. Begin with your formal education. Consider everything that you have studied at:
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University College High School Other Institutions Courses Projects Papers Thesis Short Courses Retreats Team Building Sessions

Write down:
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Specializations, options Subjects you liked the most and what you liked about them Marks Any other certificates, diplomas or awards you have received
of Dates and Specific Information

Name Institution

In addition to the knowledge you have acquired though formal educational opportunities, you have informal sources of learning. This informal education includes training provided by employers (both on and off their premises), volunteer agencies, sports Organisations, etc. Write this information below.
Organisation Name Dates and Specific Information

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Finally, record what you have learned through your own travel, research, reading or other experiences.
Experiences Dates and Specific Information

Review all of your notes in this section on Knowledge. Choose 5 areas of knowledge that you would like to build on in your career and write them below.
My Top 5 Knowledge Areas

1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
HINT: You may find it helpful to go back and review the Holland Personality type descriptions in the previous section. There are educational preferences in each of these six types. When you review your 5 main knowledge areas, look for similarities with your Holland profile. This process can help you to identify rewarding career pathways.

2. Identifying Your Learning Style Learning style refers to how people learn. The concept is important; people do learn in different ways. Understanding how you learn can help you to take more effective control of your own career development and learning. To discover how you learn, think about the experiences you have had in your life in which you felt you learned a great deal. Then consider the following types of learning processes an d environments:
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Unstructured or highly structured environment Working at your own speed or working at the pace set by a teacher or group
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Learning things step-by-step or getting the big picture first Working alone or working in a group Learning in a quiet setting or with sounds in the background Forming pictures in your mind, touching the object or speaking to yourself Engaging in computer-based instruction / interactive multimedia Conducting field work or doing case studies Sharing thoughtful dialogue with others Listening to a lecture Watching videos or films Participating in a role play or simulation Writing in logs, journals or workbooks Reading about something and then trying it out Trying something out and then reading abo ut it later

Step 1.7: Entrepreneurism as a Career Option Over the past decade an increasing number of individuals have chosen self -employment or entrepreneurship as a career option. Those who are self employed or entrepreneurs are people who create a new product or provide a service and then proceed to put form to their dream by opening a small business. Consider the following questions:
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Do you welcome challenges? Is achievement important to you? Are you confident about your abilities? Do you like to be in control? Do you consider yourself a realistic planner? Are you persistent? Can you cope with uncertainty? Do you usually complete any task you start? Are you willing to take moderate risks? Do you consider yourself to be organized ?

If you answered yes to most of these questions, you have some of the characteristics of people who are self employed. Additionally, in the previous section (1.5) that used the Holland types, if you identified the Enterprising type as your first, second or third preference, you may find it helpful to review this career option further.

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Step 1.8: Integrating Your Self Assessment You have now completed each of the self assessment sections. To create a composite picture of yourself, copy the summaries from the previous exercises into the chart.
My Top 5 Characteristics

1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
My Top 5 Values

1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
My Top 5 Skills

1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
Holland Themes Potential Educational or Occupational Options

1. 2. 3.
My Top 5 Knowledge Areas

1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
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Additional Characteristics / Learning Styles / Entrepreneurial Traits

Your Top Strengths & Characteristics Review the points that you wrote in the previous table. Choose the 10 most important strengths or characteristics that you believe you have. These qualities form the foundation of your career.
My Top Strengths & Characteristics

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. Congratulations! You are now ready to begin identifying specific opportunities that will allow you to use your strengths. The greater danger for most of us lies not in setting our aim too high and falling short; but in setting our aim too low, and achieving our mark. ~ Michelangelo Buonarroti

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