Introduction……………………………………………………………………………………. 3
Your Career Daydream………………………………………………………………………. 4
Your Personality & Myers-Briggs Assessment…………………………………………..…. 5
Personality Questions….………………………………………………………………………8
Your Interests………………………………………………………………………………..... 9
Your Skills……….……………………………………………………………………….……..10
Skills Questions………………………………………………………………………………..15
Your Values………………………………………………………………….…………………16
Values Questions…………………………………………………………….………………..17
Finding Your Career Fit……………………………………………………….………………18
Next Steps……………………………………………………………………….……………..19
2
Introduction
You are a unique individual, full of potential to pursue and accomplish your career dreams. Sometimes, it can
seem very overwhelming to figure out which next step to take; however, with a little reflection and organization,
this process can be facilitated.
Finding Your Career Fit is a four- step process to discover your personality type, interests, skills/talents, and
values that complement various career environments. While these four things will be assessed individually, in
order to explore careers that would be a good fit for you, it is important to consider where these four areas
overlap. It is in the overlap that your career fit can be determined.
INTERESTS
PERSONALITY
VALUES
SKILLS
3
Your Career Daydream
Many of us dream about what we would enjoy doing in a career; however, putting those dreams into practice
can be challenging unless we are fully aware of what we are thinking about.
DIRECTIONS: Think through the following questions and write your responses. What do your responses reveal
about possible careers you could explore?
1. You wake up in the morning – what time is it?
2. What do you wear to work?
3. Do you live in a house, apartment, condo, etc.?
4. How do you get to work? (car, train, bus, other)
5. What setting is your work? (office, outdoors, home office, classroom, other)
6. How many people are you working with? (lots, a few, work independently)
7. How active are you throughout the day? (sit at computer/standing & sitting)
8. What is the focus/purpose of your work?
9. What are three work activities that you want incorporated during the day?
10. How do you serve others in the work you do?
11. How much yearly salary do you make in this profession?
12. What does your personal life look like? (single, married, children, pets)
13. What leisure activities do you want to incorporate outside of your career?
4
Your Personality
Everyone has a unique personality. Although no two people are exactly alike, personality should be
considered when making career choices, particularly when considering how environments and your personality
type fits within a work culture and setting. When a career allows you to flourish in your unique needs and
tendencies, you are much more likely to enjoy it and be successful.
The most popular personality assessment is the Myers Briggs Type Indicator. This assessment identifies 16
different personality profiles with combinations of 8 tendencies. However, as stated above, no two individuals
are just alike and each person falls on a spectrum between two tendencies. Consider the diagrams below to
quickly identify your possible personality type.
DIRECTIONS: In the following sections, put a check next to the sentence that best describes how you
tend to be on a daily basis. Then, add up each column to see where you range on the scale below (only
circle your highest number on either side, not both). “X” is for a tie, meaning that you have balance in these
areas.
How we interact with the world and where we gain energy
EXTROVERTS
INTROVERTS
Are energized by being with other people
Are energized by spending time alone
Like being the center of attention
Avoid being in the center of attention
Act, then think
Think, then act
Tend to think out loud
Are easier to “read” and know; share
personal information more freely
Think through things inside their head
Are more private; prefer to share personal
information with a select few
Talk more than listen
Listen more than talk
Communicate with enthusiasm
Keep their enthusiasm to themselves
Respond quickly; enjoy a fast pace
Respond after thinking things through
Prefer breadth to depth
Prefer depth to breadth
EXTRAVERT
9-----8-----7-----6-----5-----4-----3-----2-----1-----X-----1-----2-----3-----4-----5-----6-----7-----8-----9
INTRAVERT
5
How we learn about the world
SENSORS
INTUITIVES
Trust what is certain and concrete
Like new ideas only if they have practical
application
Trust inspiration and inference
Like new ideas and concepts for their own
sake
Value realism and common sense
Like to use and hone established skills
Present information in a step by step
manner
Value imagination and innovation
Like to learn new skills; get bored easily
after mastering skills
Present information through leaps, in a
roundabout manner
Are oriented to the present
Are oriented toward the future
SENSOR
6-----5-----4-----3-----2-----1-----X-----1-----2-----3-----4-----5
-----6
INTUITIVE
How we make decisions
THINKERS
Step back; apply impersonal analysis to
problems
Value logic, justice, and fairness; one
standard for all
Naturally see flaws and tend to be critical
May be seen as heartless, insensitive and
uncaring
Consider it more important to be truthful
than tactful
Believe feelings are valid only if they are
logical
Are motivated by a desire for
achievement and accomplishment
THINKER
FEELERS
Step forward; consider the effect of
actions on others
Value empathy and harmony; see the
exception to the rule
Naturally like to please others; show
appreciation easily
May be seen as over-emotional, illogical
and weak
Consider it important to be tactful as well
as truthful
Believe any feeling is valid, whether it
makes sense or not
Are motivated by a desire to be
appreciated
7-----6-----5-----4-----3-----2-----1-----X-----1-----2-----3-----4-----5-----6-----7
FEELER
6
How we prefer to live
JUDGERS
Are happiest after decisions are made
PERCEIVERS
Have a “work ethic”; work first, play later
Set goals and work towards achieving
them on time
Are happiest leaving their options open
Have a “play ethic”; enjoy now, finish the
job later
Change goals as new information
becomes available
Prefer knowing what they are getting into
Are product-oriented (emphasis is on
completing the task)
Like adapting to new situations
Are process-oriented (emphasis in on
how the task is completed)
Derive satisfaction from finishing projects
See time as a finite resource and take
deadlines seriously
Derive satisfaction from starting projects
See time as a renewable resource and
see deadlines as elastic
JUDGER
7-----6-----5-----4-----3-----2-----1-----X-----1-----2-----3-----4-----5-----6-----
PERCEIVER
Enter your 4-digit personality type here:
__E or I__
__S or N__
__T or F__
__J or P__
E for Extrovert or I for Introvert in the first space.
S for Sensors or N for Intuitive in the second space.
T for Thinkers or F for Feelers in the third space.
J for Judgers or P for Perceivers in the fourth space.
7
Personality Questions
1. What experiences have you had that align with your personality? (Hobbies, jobs, volunteering, sports, etc.)
2. What patters in the work environments do see when considering the types of careers that line up with your
personality? (Working outside, inside, cubicle, with others, etc.)
3. When have you felt MOST like yourself?
4. Did you have any “Ah Ha” moments when you were doing this exercise?
5. Does your current plan align with your personality? What can you do today to continue in this direction?
8
Your Interests
Finding a career path that aligns with your interests is incredibly important for a successful professional future.
As a professional, you will be spending a good portion of your time working. With so much time spent in your
work environment, finding enjoyment in what you do is essential for job satisfaction. When you enjoy what you
are doing, you put more effort into the task; and thus, you will be successful in your career.
DIRECTIONS: Think about your interests on a personal level when responding to the following questions:
1. What books, TV shows, or movies do you MOST enjoy?
2. What do you like to do for fun/hobbies?
3. What do you enjoy talking about with your friends?
4. What do you do on a regular basis that you would enjoy doing for free – not concerned about payment?
Do you see themes within the information you listed above? Can you identify a centralized theme from your
responses to these questions that could be summed up as an interest? Even if you have multiple interests,
this can be a good starting point to identify majors and careers that align with those interests.
9
Your Skills
DIRECTIONS: Use this skills checklist to identify which skills you have, which skills you enjoy using, and
which skills you want to continue developing. Put a check in one or more of the boxes that best describes
each skill. Then, look back to see which categories contain your strongest skills!
I. WORKING WITH PEOPLE
A. Helping/Human Relations Skills
Skill I Have
Skill I Enjoy
Using
Skill I Want
To Develop
1. Active listening, caring, developing rapport and trust
2. Understanding, empathizing, accepting
3. Helping others clarify alternatives, values and needs
4. Counseling, advising
5. Assessing needs
6. Interviewing, referring, consulting
7. Collaborating with others, working as a team
8. Rehabilitating, helping other people
9. Dealing constructively with difficult people/situations
10. Intervening, mediating, resolving
11. Advocating, negotiating for others, confronting
12. Working with groups, assisting group interaction
13. Working with special populations
14. Community relations, social service
B. Management Skills
1. Organization, coordinating (people, programs, structures)
2. Supervising, managing, directing
3. Establish, plan, develop, implement policies and procedures
4. Producing, setting up, maintaining
5. Assigning, scheduling, maintaining
6. Problem-solving, trouble-shooting
7. Coordinating personnel, motivating people
8. Developing potential in others
9. Reconciling conflicts, mediating
10
C. Communication/Teaching Skills
Skill I Have
Skill I Enjoy
Using
Skill I Want
To Develop
1. Speaking, conversing
2. Using humor
3. Dealing with general public
4. Answering questions, providing information
5. Directing people to other resources
6. Telephone skills
7. Composing, expressing
8. Office writing, memos, letters, reports, minutes
9. Technical writing-translating scientific/specialized jargon
into general terms, designing manuals
10. Journalistic writing- newspapers, magazines
11. Proofreading, editing, revising, adapting
12. Reading, translating, interpreting
13. Language skills (general or specific)
14. Briefing, explaining, illustrating concepts with samples
15. Teaching, instructing, coaching, tutoring
16. Training, demonstrating
17. Public speaking, lecturing
18. Leading discussion groups/workshops
19. Thinking on your feet, speaking extemporaneously
20. Performing in public
D. Public Relations/Promotional Sales
1. Representing (an employer, an organization, an issue)
2. Advertising, publicizing, using social media
3. Making implementing decisions
4. Lobbying, building support, advocating
5. Coordinating conflicting groups to work together
6. Fund raising
11
Skill I Have
Skill I Enjoy
Using
Skill I Want
To Develop
7. Selling (commodities, services, programs, ideas)
8. Public presentations, debating
9. Radio and television appearances
10. Promotional writing, sales copy, advertisements
11. Public information, press releases, newsletters, publicity
12. Developing targets, marketing, doing needs assessment
13. Organizing, planning, executing
14. Producing, directing (ad campaign, publicity, marketing)
15. Making audio-visual presentations
16. Conducting public affairs/ceremonies
17. Displaying showmanship, theatrical poise, stage presence
18. Conducting group tours/orientations
E. Administration/Leadership
1. Initiating action, working without supervision
2. Defining objectives, setting standards
3. Making, implementing decisions
4. Analyzing situations objectively
5. Simplifying complex problems (breaking them down)
6. Prioritizing tasks, revising goals
7. Evaluating, reviewing, recommending
8. Managing time
9. Working well under stress, improvising
10. Delegating responsibility
11. Politicking, compromising
12. Chairing meetings
13. Responsibility for overall effectiveness of group
12
II. WORKING WITH DATA
A. Numbers/Finance/Office Skills
Skill I Have
Skill I Enjoy
Using
Skill I Want
To Develop
1. Computing, calculating, estimating, projecting
2. Bookkeeping, accounting, auditing
3. Cost analysis, financial planning, budget management
4. Taking inventory, appraising, purchasing, buying
5. Filing, classifying, collating
6. Designing/maintaining filing systems
7. Designing office forms, procedures
8. Using statistics, compiling statistical reports
9. Attention to detail, follow-through, accuracy, precision
B. Research Analysis
1. Gathering information from various sources (books, people, etc.)
2. Investigation, surveying, collecting
3. Organizing, classifying, sorting information into categories
4. Dissecting, abstracting, seeing patterns of meaning in results
5. Interpreting, analyzing statistical/scientific data, drawing conclusions
6. Conceptualizing/coming up with theories
7. Developing models, methodologies, ideas
8. Writing articles, summaries, reports
9. Synthesizing, getting to essence of core tasks
10. Seeing inter-relations between different phenomena
11. Processing large amounts of information
C. Observation/Problem Solving
1. Sensing, perceiving, examining
2. Diagnosing, estimating, anticipating, projecting
3. Inspecting, assessing, anticipating, projecting
4. Drawing plans, drafting
5. Designing experiments and tests
6. Tracing errors to their source
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III. WORKING WITH THINGS
Skill I Have
A. Physical/Mechanical Skills
Skill I Enjoy
Using
Skill I Want
To Develop
1. Manual Dexterity
2. Doing precision work, small physical detail
3. Performing intricate lab procedures, preparing slides
4. Operating equipment, computers, scientific instruments,
laboratory machinery, mechanical devices
5. Using tools, operating heavy machinery (trucks, cranes)
6. Skilled-trades-carpentry, masonry, plumbing
7. Refinishing furniture, doing small remodeling
8. Outdoor work (environment, recreation, scientific field work)
9. Plant care, gardening, farming, landscaping
10. Working with animals, animal care
11. Hiking, walking, camping, bicycling, swimming
12. Athletic aptitude, movement/dance
13. Cooking
14. Craft skills (knitting, weaving)
15. Traveling, navigating
B. Design and Construction
1. Molding, shaping, composing
2. Assembling, installing, building, constructing
3. Fixing, adapting, repairing
4. Measuring, physical accuracy or quality
5. Drawing plans, drafting
6. Mechanical problem solving, mechanical ingenuity
Do you have any additional skills that are not listed? If so, write them here!
14
Skills Questions
1. Which 3 categories (on pages 10-14) contain the most important skills you have?
2. Which top 3 categories contain the most important skills you enjoy using on a consistent basis?
3. Which top 3 categories contain the most important skills you still want to develop?
4. Look at your top skill areas. Which careers of interest could complement your skills?
5. Where and how could you utilize and develop your skills here at Gordon State College?
15
Your Values
Values motivate you to pursue or avoid an activity or a state of mind. They are the foundation for your goals
and extremely important when determining your present and future career directions. Assessing your work
values is essential as you engage in career decision making.
DIRECTIONS:
Look at each value and description below and put a check in the box, indicating if that value is not important
to you, is neutral, or is important to you in the work environment.
Work Values
Description
Variety
Being involved in several activities; changing from one
activity to another often; having new experiences
Doing things in a correct and precise manner; being
exact
Being free to make decisions and plans using your own
judgment
Doing exciting things that often involve the unexpected,
danger, or risk
Accuracy
Independence
Adventure
Routine
Neutral
Important
Doing something the same way each time
Interaction
Being involved with people; sharing ideas; developing
plans; being part of a group
Mechanical
Working with things, objects, tools, and machines
Creativity
Developing new things or ideas; doing things in a new
way
Social
Helping others and being concerned about their needs
Production
Using your physical skills to work on or make things
Leadership
Planning activities and managing the duties of others
Scientific
Not
Important
Experimenting, testing, and trying things
Communication Presenting ideas through speaking or writing
Business
Expression
Influence
Recognition
Economic
Reward
Prestige
Power
Selling or promoting an idea, product, or service to
people
Interpreting and expressing feelings, ideas & information
Influencing the thinking and behavior of others by
providing ideas and information to change their
opinions and attitudes
Achieving acceptance, acknowledgement, appreciation,
renown
Receiving good pay, fringe benefits, and economic
incentives
Performing work that provides standing in the eyes of
others and evokes respect
Being in authority, directing others, and making
important decisions
19
Value Questions
1. What do you value in a work environment that is not on the list?
2. Which three work values are most important to you?
3. What type of work environment do you prefer? (Cubicle, office, outdoors, etc.)
4. What are the 3 most important outcomes that you want to achieve through the work you do?
(Help people, sell something, financial reward, etc.)
5. Do you need to have a final product at the end of the day or do you enjoy working with abstract concepts
which may never result in something tangible?
8. Would you enjoy continuing your education in order to further your understanding of a particular career?
19
Finding your Career Fit
Finding your career fit considers looking at careers that include all four areas: personality, interests, skills, and
values. Looking back at these four categories, consider some of the themes that were found.
DIRECTIONS: Under personality, interests, skills, and values, list some of the themes that you found in each
category (Example: under personality (Introvert) – likes to meet with people one-on-one).
PERSONALITY
INTERESTS
(Pages 5-8)
(Pages 9-10)
SKILLS
VALUES
(Pages 11-16)
(Pages 17-20)
Which career fields of interest could complement all four areas?
19
Next Steps
In order to help you take next steps in your career development, consider the following career resources.
1. Meet with Gordon State College’s Career Services Coordinator
You can schedule an appointment with Tonya Moore by following the instructions on the Career Services
webpage or by emailing careerservices@gordonstate.edu.
2. Download specific “What Can I Do with a Major In” worksheets
http://career.uga.edu/majors_careers/what_can_i_do_with_a_major_in
3. Complete the Gordon State College Majors Checklist
Download the Gordon State College Majors Checklist and consider all of your educational
options here at GSC.
Once you find majors and minors that interest you, go to their specific department websites to learn more
about courses, faculty, and other major/minor specific information.
5. Clarify whether a career path is right for you through volunteer and internship experiences
Career Services Webpage - http://www.gordonstate.edu/careerservices/home
6. Use website to find internships, part-time, and full-time jobs to gain additional experience
Internship and Employment Links - http://www.gordonstate.edu/studentjobs/home
7. Search O*NET for careers that you would like to know more about
O*Net Webpage - http://www.onetonline.org/
8. Pick up a Career Guide from the Career Services Center to learn more about the following:
•
Job Search Strategies
•
Intern for a Day
•
How to Dress for Success
•
Networking
•
Online Career Resources
•
Employer Research
•
Informational Interviews
•
Career Fair Preparation
•
Graduate School &
•
Mock Interviews
•
Resume & Cover Letters
Application Process
Federal & Non-Profit Jobs
•
On-Campus & On-Site
Interviews
•
Social Media & Your Job
Search
19