Where are you in your job search? The following checklist is designed to help you assess your job search campaign. After answering the questions either "yes" (Y) or "no" (N), add the "yes" responses to see how you scored.
A. Describing Yourself
__1. Can you clearly state your career goals?
__2. Can you describe your strengths?
__3. Can you describe your weaknesses?
__4. Can you name the activities you do well and enjoy?
__5. Can you list five of your job skills and talk about how you developed them?
__6. From each of your courses or activities, can you list three things you learned?
B. Describing Your Field of Interest
__7. Have you read about career fields that interest you?
__8. Have you talked with people who work in your career fields of interest?
__9. Can you name employers who hire individuals in the career areas that interest you?
__10. Are you familiar with the geographical area in which you want to live?
__11. Can you describe your ideal work setting?
__12. Have you determined the salary range you will consider?
C. Making a Plan
__13. Are you satisfied with the resume you prepared?
__14. Do you have a general format for your cover letters and other correspondence?
__15. Have you prepared for your interviews by role-playing and reading about typical questions?
__16. Do you have several strategies for your job search campaign?
__17. Have you established a timetable for your job search?
__18. Can you identify specific individuals with whom you can begin networking?
__19. Have you identified potential employers and researched them thoroughly?
__20. Do you have a support network (friends, family, advisors)?
Total "Yes" Responses_____________________
If 18-20, you have the correct approach.
If 14-17, you are right on track, but you need to improve your strategies.
If 0-13, you need a much better plan.
Your job search will be more successful if you acquire the following abilities:
1. The ability to ask specific questions that will lead to helpful information. Think: what do you need to know, now? Make a list.
2. The ability to describe yourself in terms of skills, interests, work-related values and personal characteristics (not just in terms of one job title or academic major).
3. The ability to approach/contact people (in person, over the phone, at parties, by letter, at dinner with relatives, etc.). Feel a lack of confidence in this area? Pathways Career Services can help. Make an appointment.
4. The ability to build long-term, mutually-beneficial relationships. Are you working on broadening your world?
The above four suggestions were taken from A Vision for the College Placement Center, Joey Freeman, Praeger, CT, 1994.
