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GETTING HIRED: A Guide for Job Seekers Who Face Barriers to Employment
2. Assessing Yourself

2. Assessing Yourself

He who knows others is wise;
He who knows himself is enlightened.

-Lao-Tzu, Chinese philosopher

Before you look for a job, it is a good idea to look at yourself. You to need know what you want to do and what you have to offer an employer. In this section you will:

	Explore your interests, abilities and skills;
	Assess your positive traits and behaviours; and
	Apply what you have learned about yourself to jobs.

Interest, Abilities and Skills

An interest is something you like or prefer to do. Examples of interests are playing sports, planting flowers, meeting people and learning about science.

An ability is a talent. It is something you learn easily or do well. Artistic, musical, mechanical or computer aptitude are examples of abilities. Being good with numbers, remembering things, and physical strength are also abilities. Natural abilities or aptitudes can be developed with training. For example, someone who is good with his or her hands can develop skills like sewing, carpentry or assembly.

A skill is something you have learned to do. Reading, writing, repairing computers or preparing a legal document are all examples of skills. It's easier to develop skills if you have the necessary interest and abilities.

Exercise 2.1: Learning About Yourself

Knowing your interests, abilities and skills helps you set a job goal that is suited to you. One way to identify you interests, abilities and skills is to take tests that measure them. An easier way is to assess yourself by thinking about your life experiences. Here's what to do:

	On a piece of paper, make three columns. Label them "My Interests," "My Abilities" and "My Skills";
	Fill in the columns as fully as you can. Use the following list of questions to help you:
	My Interests: What do I think about? Read? Do in my spare time? What are my hobbies? If I could have any job, what would it be?
	My Abilities: What are my talents? What do I find easy to do or learn? Am I good with growing things, animals, music, solving problems, numbers, machines or anything else?
	My Skills: What have I learned in school? At home? In other jobs? What equipment do I operate or use? What special training have I had?
	Ask people who know you for more ideas based on how they see you and your abilities and skills.

Exercise 2.2: Positive Traits and Behaviours Checklist

Positive personality traits and behaviours are also important in getting and keeping a job. To assess yours:

	Read the following list of positive traits and behaviours;
	Check those that apply to you. Star those where you are outstanding;
	Ask others who know you what they think.

Positive Personality Traits and Behaviours:

______	Asks questions when needed
______	Can work under pressure
______	Can solve problems
______	Cheerful
______	Cooperative
______	Creative
______	Dependable
______	Even-tempered
______	Flexible
______	Follows direction
______	Friendly
______	Gets along well with others
______	Helpful
______	Honest

______	Independent
______	Listens well
______	Neat
______	Organized
______	Patient
______	Punctual
______	Quiet when needed
______	Responsible
______	Takes pride in work
______	Wants to improve
______	Well-mannered
______	Willing to learn
______	Works quickly
______	Works steadily

Add other positive traits or behaviours that describe you here:

Exercise 2.3: What Do I Have To Offer?

With this exercise, you begin to develop positive statements about yourself that you can use on job interviews. Here's what you should do:

	Make a list of jobs that interest you. Select one.
	Refer to your list of interests, abilities and skills and your positive traits and behaviours checklist. Mark those that relate to the job selected.
	Develop a statement that describes what you have to offer based on items you marked.
	For example, if being a child care worker interests you, your statement might say: "I like children, am patient and have the ability to make people laugh. I helped raise my uncle's children and I can read, write and do math."
	Review the statement with your job-seeking partner and practice saying it out loud. ( You have learned about yourself. Now its time to learn about jobs.

2. Assessing Yourself
GETTING HIRED: A Guide for Job Seekers Who Face Barriers to Employment

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