Page 10 - CBW Handbook March 2019

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
• Understand why self assessment is a key factor leading to career success
• Conduct a complete assessment of your personality, interests, values, skills, learning needs and self-employment potential
• Know what you are looking for in your career
• Understand the essential skills needed for your occupation
• Understand how your skills and training match-up with the requirements for your target job
• Determine your transferable skills
• Start building your Resume Master File

PART ONE - SELF-ASSESSMENT
In fact, when the time comes to write your résumé and prepare for a job interview, you will find the task easier if you have
completed the self-assessment process first!

Introduction
A self-assessment can reveal your characteristics, interests, values and skills. It will define your strengths and your weaknesses. Looking
for a match between these and the work you are considering is the most important step you can take before you write a résumé or begin
the search for a job.

What are values, interests, personality, and skills?
• Values: the things that are important to you, like achievement, status, and autonomy.
• Interests: what you enjoy doing, i.e. taking long walks, socializing with friends.
• Personality: a person’s individual traits, motivational drives, needs, and attitudes.
• Skills: the activities you are good at, such as writing, computer programming, teaching, organizing, etc.

1. Personalities and Work Environment
One self-assessment tool is John Holland’s theory of career choice. The theory explains work-related behavior – such as, which career
choices are likely to lead to job success and satisfaction. It also explains other human actions, like success and satisfaction in school and
training programs. It is the best known and most widely researched theory on this topic and is used by most career counselors.
Understanding Holland’s theory will help you make good choices – decisions about which occupations, careers, or training programs
best fit you.

The Alberta government on their Learning Information Services website includes self-assessment tools one of which includes Holland’s
Code Quiz at
http://www.roguecc.edu/Counseling/HollandCodes/test.asp

Complete the Quiz now…once you submit your answers you will receive a code. An explanation of the different types is listed in the
following pages.

10