Step 1 - Know Yourself

When you are working at something you enjoy and fits with your life, you tend to feel happier, more confident, and are better at what you do – all which will lead to your success on the job and in your life.

Start by identifying your strengths, your values, your employment goals or what kind of work you want to do. There are many paths to lead to your goal and work can take many forms in the course of your life. Discussing your options with an employment advisor will also help you choose what will work best for you.
 

1. Your Employment or Self-Employment Goals

List both short-term goals (from the present up to the end of one year) and long-term goals (from longer than one year and onwards). Your first choices are important, even though they may change when you gather more information during Step 2 – Identify Options.

2. Work Skills

List briefly your work skills (from both paid and volunteer employment). List any training already completed. Identify skills you have that can be used in many different types of work (for example: "able to work well on my own", or "able to train new staff").

3. Values and Interests
   
   What values or interests influence your choice for an employment goal? For example, it might be important that you work outdoors or your work assignment usually stays the same, or perhaps you prefer lots of change on the job. List your preferences.

Recommended links:

Explore Careers These links will help you explore and choose careers that suit your background, personality, lifestyle, interests and values and identify different options for getting a job and/or into different careers.