How to Find a Job Best Suited for My Skills

Finding a job that suits your personality and skills is important for advancing your career and obtaining personal fulfillment. In the long run, having a job that suits you will result in more happiness, better job performance and closer relationships with your coworkers. It's essential to take certain steps during your job search to prevent being trapped in a job or position that doesn't fit your qualities.

Things You'll Need

• Career books
• Organizations
• Professional Associations
• Pen
• Paper
• Computer

Instructions

Discovering your Skills

1. Ponder your past accomplishments and make a list of your achievements. The list should provide an enhanced outlook on your skills and abilities that are appreciated by the general public. If you won a debate contest, then the achievement demonstrates your ability to defend your case and persuade others. Others may have participated in a math league and have had the opportunity to win a championship. An accomplishment such as that reveals your ability to work with numbers and with a team.

2. Review the comments of your peers, teachers, family members and past managers about your skills. Do your friends always compliment your ability to listen attentively and offer comforting advice? Take note of skills and abilities that teachers and professors consistently praised. Write down the situations when your employers or past managers delegated a new responsibility to you because of your high proficiency at completing that specific type of duty.

3. Identify and list your concrete or hard skills. Ron Krann, Ph.D, author of "Change your Job, Change your Life" states, "Hard skills are easy to recognize. Since they are often identified as qualifications for a specific job, they are the subject of most educational and training programs." For example, do you possess a certificate for a specific computer software program? Write down all of your education, specialized certifications and licenses that directly relate to a career path.

4. Reflect on yourself and identify personal strengths and transferable skills. According to Ron Krann, "These soft skills are associated with numerous settings and are mainly acquired through experience rather than formal training." Some examples of soft skills include being warm, objective and diligent. Research which occupations would appreciate your qualities. Some jobs require an aggressive nature, while others abhor aggressiveness.

5. Take a career assessment to assist in matching your skills with a job. You can take a test online at sites such as www.skillsone.com or www.careerlab.com. Or you can enlist the help of a career professional. Although tests shouldn't be your only guide, they can narrow your options to a specific career type.

Finding a Job Relevant to Your Skills

1. Focus your attention on your marketable skill set that matches an industry. Once you focus on an industry, check out The Occupational Outlook Handbook to familiarize yourself on the various positions and expectations of the industry. The Occupational Outlook Handbook is also online at http://www.bls.gov/OCO/. You may realize that you are suited for the health care industry, but have a preference for certain jobs such as a physical therapist or nurse.

2. Do research on which states and cities have a demand for your skills. You can do this by reading state and city newspapers to notice trends. Oftentimes states or cities are known for catering to an industry, such as Silicon Valley, California for technology. Browse on craigslist.org to see which type of labor is in demand in your immediate area. Check out the degrees and majors that are popular in universities and colleges by going to the individual websites and doing a search or calling the schools directly. The US News & World Report at
   http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/ also ranks the best type of programs at specific colleges. This can give you an idea of the type of skills the state values and invests in the most.

3. Build a network with those in the industry that matches your skills. First, volunteer to get real-world experience and then take your interest to the next level by obtaining an internship and/or apprenticeship. Join professional associations and community organizations to develop relationships that could strengthen your passion and lead to a job. While volunteering, interning and doing your apprenticeship, develop relationships with those within the industry you are interested. At the professional associations and community organizations, remain as active as possible to grow a bond with your colleagues and for networking opportunities.

4. If you are still in college or have recently graduated, take advantage of the services offered by the career center. Oftentimes the university career center will hold job fairs geared toward an industry such as science or business. Professors are a valuable resource for gaining solid references, mentoring and connections. Also, don't forget to contact alumni who assist you in securing positions that are suited for your skills.

5. Look up places where you are interested in obtaining a position and that suit your skills. Then make cold calls to set up interviews. Most jobs are not advertised and this could be your only venue to get your foot in the door.

Tips & Warnings

• Be honest about your skills and abilities.

• Do not allow self doubt to hinder your job search.

References

• "Career Change Resource: How do I match my skills to the best job"
• "The Bright Side Trust: What are my Skills?"
• Change your Job, Change your Life: "Identifying your Skills and Abilities"; Ron Krannich

Resources

• "University of Kent Careers Advisory Service: Which jobs will suit my skills"
• CPP's Online Assessment System
• CareerLab