Self Assessment: Getting to Know Your Product

The first step in successful career management is planning. Before attending career forums, networking events and sending your CV to companies, it is highly recommendable to take some time to reflect upon your experience and skills, your interests and motivations and which sectors or functions you would like to target in your job search.

Knowing yourself is essential in putting together your career plan and marketing strategy. You have to understand what you have to offer companies and where to target your job search, according to your experience, interests, motivations and abilities.

Take some time to think about the following areas. Take a blank sheet of paper and make some notes against each of these headings. This will help you identify which direction you should move in and also what you should highlight on your resume or when speaking to the companies.

ˇ Skills. What talents and abilities do you have? Make a note of tangible skills (such as the ability to speak Italian or manage a project) and intangible skills (such as leadership ability, organization, tenacity or creativity). Think about feedback you have had from others about what you do well.

ˇ Knowledge. What expertise have you gained through education or previous work experience? List the knowledge you have obtained which could be useful to a future employer (such as understanding of Fixed Income markets, comprehension of tax legislation, knowledge of pharmaceutical products).

ˇ Values. What are your personal priorities in life? What do you value - time with your family, financial rewards, intellectual stimulation, teamwork, prestige, security?

ˇ Achievements. In your professional career, what goals have you attained? What achievements are you proud of? Try to think about results, about things you can quantify. How have you helped the companies where you've worked? (Increased benefits by X% in 2 years; implemented a marketing campaign worth XXX.000¤ which opened XYZ market; etc.)

ˇ Interests. What are your natural interests in life? Think about activities or interests which motivate you and which you are naturally drawn toward such as particular activities or topics of discussion.

ˇ Personality and interpersonal style. How do you typically behave towards others or approach life? Are you outgoing or introverted? Do you enjoy planning or are you spontaneous? Are you detail oriented or more interested in the big picture?

ˇ Dreams and Ideals. What is your ideal job? Write down all the factors that it would include - sector, size of organization, colleagues, location, role.

Going through this self assessment exercise is useful. Not only does it help identify your skills and knowledge in order to sell yourself in applications and interviews but it gives some input as to what is important to you. As you decide which career path you will follow it is important that you pay attention to your interests, values, personality and ideals. In this way, you are more likely to end up targeting positions and organizations that match your way of being.