How ready are you?
The Score Card below is designed to help you assess yourself in relation to the process of finding work that you enjoy and that is financially rewarding. Some of the items refer to things you have to know, some to what you have to do. Awareness of both are important if you want to maintain a successful career.
| Give yourself a score from 0 - 4 on each statement. Print out the Score Card and put scores in the right hand column. Click here to download a printable PDF copy of the Score Card. | |
| 0 = "I'm completely in the dark about this." 1 = "I've barely begun working on this requirement." 2 = "I've started, but I still have a lot of work to do." 3 = "I'm making progress." 4 = "I've completed this and can move on." | |
| Define Career Goals | |
| I have defined how my next career step will help me achieve my personal, professional and financial goals. | |
| I have identified the kind of work that I would most enjoy doing. | |
| I have identified my areas of greatest competence. | |
| I have a definite plan for finding work that I wil enjoy and that will be financially rewarding. | |
| Identify desired job or work role | |
| I have identified the specific job titles or work roles I want to target. | |
| I have made an objective assessment of my qualifications for my target jobs. | |
| I know how to read a job description to determine what the real requirements are. | |
| I have identified what I want from my next job in terms of its location, commute distance, travel requirements and anything else that is important to my job satisfaction. | |
| Identify potential employers | |
| I know the characteristics of my ideal employer including size, location, market position, etc.. | |
| I have made a comprehensive list of all employers who might offer work of the kind I want to obtain. | |
| I have researched each employer on my list to determine the fit with my ideal profile. | |
| I have learned as much as I can about my target companies' products, culture, and plans for the future. | |
| Create focused resume | |
| My resume is clearly focused on the skills and accomplishments relevant to my target job or functional area(s). | |
| My resume will capture the reader's positive attention in 30 seconds or less and make her or him want to read it carefully. | |
| I have used accomplishment statements on my resume that demonstrate how I've used my skills and knowledge to achieve results in my past positions. | |
| My resume doesn't contain any "red flags" that will cause the reader to wonder if I'm trying to hide something about my work history. | |
| Prepare for interviews | |
| I can clearly and concisely describe my job relevant qualifications using achievement stories to give myself credibility and capture the interviewer's interest. | |
| I can show an employer how my qualifications will provide value in the job I've applied for. | |
| I know the best questions to ask the interviewer. | |
| I have good answers for any awkward questions the interviewer may ask about my experience or work history. | |
| Prepare for salary negotiations | |
| I know the compensation level I want and why it is appropriate for the job and my qualifications. | |
| I know how to defer compensation questions when they come up before I want to talk about my requirements. | |
| I know how to respond to an offer so I don't inadvertently lose money I could have had. | |
| I know when and how to negotiate an offer that is not what I want it to be. | |
Interpreting your scores | |
| A score of 0, 1, or 2 on any item may be a signal that your career plans are in danger because you are lacking critical knowledge or skills for achieving your goals. | |
| A score of 3 or 4 on a item should mean that you can move ahead with confidence. | |
| If you would like to discuss the results of this Scorecard, click here to find out how to schedule a free introductory session. | |