EXERCISE

Your Personal Financial Inventory

Here's your chance to get an accurate, up-to-date and complete picture of your personal finances. This is information you will need to help you make important decisions about how best to develop your strategy and allocate your time in the weeks or months ahead. Instructions: The exercise that follows contains forty questions that cover all aspects of personal finance. Read through each statement carefully and decide whether or not it is true for you. In some cases, the statements may not apply to your current situation. For example, if the statement addresses the value of your investment portfolio and you don't have any investments at the moment, simply answer True. When you finish the inventory, follow the directions that follow to evaluate your current state of financial readiness for the career search process.

Your Personal Financial Inventory Exercise

VALUE TRUE FALSE

I have an up to date balance sheet that accurately reports the value of my assets, and amount of my liabilities and my net worth. I rarely exceed my budget for monthly expenses. I am current on all my personal credit cards. I know my current credit score. I have fully adequate medical insurance for myself and my family. I have made provision for continuing income should I become disabled. I have set aside an emergency fund which is sufficient to support me and my family for at least three months. I am fully up to date on my quarterly estimated tax payments. (NOTE: this generally only applies to individuals who are selfemployed. If you are not self-employed, answer "True.") I have a team of financial and insurance professionals who provide me with excellent guidance and who are available to me whenever I need them. I have a clear set of financial goals which I review regularly. I have a generous life insurance policy which will amply provide for my loved ones when I am gone. I spend less than I make and, generally, live within my means. My credit card balances rarely exceed 30% of my available credit. I have prepared a monthly budget. I am up to date on my home mortgage. (NOTE: if you don't have a home mortgage, answer "true.") I usually pay off at least 80% of the balance on all my credit cards every month. I know what progress I am making toward my financial goals. (NOTE: if you do not have a written set of financial goals, answer "False.")

Your Personal Financial Inventory Exercise , cont'd

VALUE TRUE FALSE

If my credit score is below 700, I know how to raise my score and have a definite plan for doing so. (NOTE: if your credit score is above 700, answer "True.") I make regular contributions to a retirement plan. (NOTE: if you are employed, this would refer to your employer's plan. If you are self-employed, this refers to an individual retirement plan.) All my important financial documents are securely locked away. I set aside at least 10% of my gross monthly income into a savings or investment account. I am fully up to date on my Self-Employment tax obligations. (NOTE: if you are not self-employed, answer "True.") I am up to date on all Federal and State tax liabilities. I have set aside a regularly scheduled time each week or month for tracking my expenses, reviewing my liabilities and adjusting my financial plan. I have prepared my will. It is up to date and expresses my current wishes for the disposal of my estate. I know the current balance for any auto loan I may be obligated to pay. (NOTE: if you do not have any auto loans outstanding, answer "True I know the current total of all my checking and savings accounts. I know the current balances for all my credit cards. I know the difference between a discretionary expense and a variable or non-discretionary expense. I know exactly how much I receive (monthly, annually) from my retirement or pension funds. (NOTE if you do not have any pension or retirement funds OR if you do not yet receive any income from these funds, answer "True.") I know exactly how much income I derive (monthly or yearly) from my personal and business investments. (NOTE: if you have no personal or business investments, answer "True.") I know the current value of all my personal investment accounts (stocks, bonds, etc.) (NOTE: If you do not have any investments of this type, answer True.)

Your Personal Financial Inventory Exercise , cont'd

VALUE TRUE FALSE

I know the value of any long term assets (business equipment, property or capital goods, etc.) I own either personally or through partial or complete ownership in a business. (NOTE: if you don't have any long term assets, answer "Yes.") I know the current balance / payout amount of any mortgages I am obligated to pay. (NOTE: if you do not have any mortgages payable, answer "True." I know the current assessed value and market value of all real estate I own, (NOTE: if you do not own any real estate, answer "True.") I know the current balance of my retirement accounts, pension funds, etc. My salary is in line with what others with my background receive for the same work and responsibilities. I know the current balance of any short term loan I am obligated to pay. This could be a business loan or a personal loan or a loan from a family member. (NOTE: if you do not have any personal loan payable, answer "Yes.") I almost always spend my money sensibly and avoid luxuries I cannot afford. I know exactly how much money I receive every month from all sources of income (salary, commissions, royalties, income from businesses, rental income, etc.)

Evaluation
To determine your current state of financial readiness for your upcoming career search, add up all the True answers in the preceding exercise and compare your results to those listed in the table below.

Total Score 36 - 40

Evaluation / Assessment You're in great shape! You demonstrate a superlative level of financial organization and self-discipline. Keep it up and you can feel very confident about your freedom to dedicate all the time you need to your career search in the months ahead. You are well above average in keeping your financial house in order. To be on the safe side, however, we suggest that you review those areas where you answered False and take steps to further strengthen your position and get the most out of the resources you have. You would be well advised to put time aside before you begin your career search to improve your financial situation and organization. Make a list of every statement to which you answered False and create a short term action plan (less than six weeks) to correct or upgrade as many of these areas as possible. Sorry, you're not ready. Review the inventory and make a commitment to put your financial affairs in order. You may be surprised at how quickly this can be done, but we urge you to do this before anything else. You'll thank us later on......we promise!

32 36

28 32

less than 28

CHAPTER 2

Career Assessment
Overview
Career Assessment is self-discovery. If it all sounds a little too introspective and impractical, there's more to it than you might think including a solid theoretical foundation, an established track record of effective use by Fortune 500 companies from around the world, and, most important, tangible feedback that can dramatically accelerate your career search process.

EXERCISE

Personal Values (PV)

Overview
We live in a time of conflicting values. But when it comes to the individualindividually consideredthere is no substitute for a strong moral foundation, solidly grounded in clearly understood, consistent and well-defined values. It is often said that if we don't value ourselves, then no one else will value us either. The starting point for valuing ourselves is being very clear about what matters to us the most. This is where an assessment of personal values can help.

Instructions
The following exercise presents a list of values from which you will choose those most important to you. Take your time but don't over-think your selections. Let your intuition assist you. It is often the case that in an exercise like this, the first choice you make will be the most accurate. Once you have finished, go back and check your answers. Read each value statement carefully, and then enter a score in the right-hand column. Use a five point scale as follows: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Not important Important Neutral, Neither important nor unimportant Important Very important

VALUE Achievement: Accomplishing important things; meeting personal goals Aesthetics: Contributing to the truth, beauty and culture of life. Affiliation: Being part of a group or organization Balance: Having the time and energy for personal, family, and work needs Expertise: Being skillful an authority in what I do Family: Having time with my family Friendship: Working with people I like, including friends in my life Health and Well-Being: Being physically and emotionally well; free from disease or pain Independence: Freedom of thought and action Location: Being able to live where I want Loyalty: Being faithful to individuals, organizations, or causes Meaningful Work: Being involved in work that has personal significance Money: Having more than enough money to live on Morality: Performing by standards of personal, professional, and social ethics Power and Authority: Have authority to determine course of action Religion and Spirituality: Having an affiliation with a religious group or way of life Security: Having a stable and secure position Self-Realization: Doing work that allows me to realize the full potential of my personality Service: Contributing to the satisfaction of others; helping people

SCORE

Now circle all values with an importance score of 4 or 5. These are the values your care most about. As you make your decisions about your next job or your overall career direction, which five of these values will be most important to include or accommodate? List them below.

V=

1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

_______________________________ _______________________________ _______________________________ _______________________________ _______________________________

EXERCISE

My Personality Type
Overview
For this analysis we rely heavily on the work of American psychologist John L Holland. His methodology assumes that "the choice of a vocation is an expression of personality." Before we get into the exercise itself, let's review each of the six personality types. As you see, each one is characterized by a set of aptitudes and preferences, and each type is ideally suited to a corresponding type of career.

Instructions
Review the table carefully and select the type that seems most accurately to fit your own personal style and preferences. Once you have made your selection, write the name of the personality type in the space provided at the bottom of the table.

My Personality Type Exercise

Type Style
Technically and aesthetically inclined doers. Practical, genuine, hands-on, concrete, selfreliant, traditional, Abstract problem solvers who prefer to use mind to learn, investigate, and solve problems. Curious, precise, independent, creative, analytical Expressive creators who prefer to work with mind, body, and emotions. Idealistic, imaginative, intuitive, independent. Friendly helpers who enjoy leading, managing people and accomplishing goals. Persuasive, selfconfident, ambitious, energetic. Assertive influencers who enjoy leading, managing people and accomplishing goals. Persuasive, selfconfident, ambitious, energetic. Systematic data and detail organizers who prefer to work with words and numbers. Accurate, efficient, conscientious, precise.

Work Environment
Working with hands, working out doors or in laboratories, factories, machine shops. Often athletic Prefer to work with science, theories, and data in laboratories, libraries, universities, and other research or learning-oriented environments. Work alone or with others to create innovative systems, products, services, events, programs, etc.

Skills

Typical Occupations
Engineering, skilled traders, agricultural and technical vocations.

REALISTIC

Building, repairing, growing, making.

INVESTIGATIVE

Writing, synthesizing, designing, composing, creating.

Creative fields such as writing, acting, directing, fine arts, designing, photography, journalism.

ARTISTIC

Writings, synthesizing, designing, composing, creating.

Creative fields such as writing, acting, directing, fine arts, designing, photography, journalism. Occupations related to teaching, social welfare, human resources, leisure industry, helping professional and vocations.

SOCIAL

Work with others in the service of people.

Teaching, helping, explaining, healing, counseling.

ENTERPISING

Work in fast-paced, resultsoriented environments where people focus on bottom-line, tangible results,

Leading, organizing, persuading, selling.

Sales, marketing, managements, law, politics/public service, consulting, small business ownership.

CONVENTIONAL

Wok in structured, orderly environments with clear and well-defined rules and policies.

Setting up procedures, organizing and managing data and materials, working with computers.

Finance, data management, information services, administrative and clerical, accounting.

PT =

Instructions
Read through the lists of typical careers associated with each personality type. When you have finished, write down in the box below, five that seem natural choices for you. My Career Ideas (CI) Typical for Selected Personality Types
Type Consider Working in Jobs / Fields Such As: Merchandise, Food and Operations Landscaping Technician Services (Plumber, Electrician, etc.) Entertainment Technician Emergency Medical Technician Finance Information services Database Systems Engineering Marketing or Contracts Administration Computer Operator Culinary Marketing Public Relations Promotions Costuming Design Merchandise Food and Operations Human Resources Healthcare Training and Development Purchasing Sales Advertising Marketing Finance Accounting Security Administrative Supporting Security Culinary Coaching Athletic Director Healthcare Engineering Telecommunications Lawyer Professor Researcher Problem Solver Medical Advertising Production Writer Journalist Hospitality industry Sales Teaching Hospitality Cruise Coordinator Service Business Legal Culinary management in all departments/divisions Coordinator Payroll Information Services

REALISTIC

INVESTIGATIVE

ARTISTIC

SOCIAL

ENTERPISING

CONVENTIONAL

CI =
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. _______________________________ _______________________________ _______________________________ _______________________________ _______________________________

EXERCISE

Work Preferences (WP)

Overview
The next step in the assessment process is to look at your personal work preferences. Knowing your preferences makes it easier for you to choose work that is satisfying and enjoyable and avoid choosing work where you will be dissatisfied and, ultimately, ineffective. Work preferences cover a variety of role and activities. You may, for example, dislike managing people and find yourself attracted to careers where you can work more or less on your own. On the other hand, you may love the responsibility and authority that comes with a management position and thrive in environments that are busy, dynamic and test your leadership abilities on a daily basis. What's important to remember that here, as with the Personality Types, there is no right choice. You will do best in a compatible environment. It's as simple as that.

Instructions
The table that follows lists a series of twenty paired preferences, each more or less the opposite of the other. Read through the list and give yourself a score on one side or the other of the scale. Write a single response only for each pair. When you finish, list your top five work preferences in the box below.

My Work Preferences Exercise

Work Preferences
S = strongly prefer P = prefer N = no preference
S P N P S

Manage people Work in a team setting Routine work High risk, exciting Lots of public contact Mostly work indoors High pressure, fast pace Be specialized, an expert Requires attention to detail Hours flexible Lots of surprises Exciting, demanding Physical work Work with something new High potential for promotion Stable work environment Leading, developing others High structure Constantly-changing work Competitive

Do not manage people Work mostly alone Creative, non-routine work Low risk, reliable Limited public contact Mostly work outdoors Low pressure, consistent pace Use broad knowledge and skills Requires little attention to detail Hours consistent Predictable Low stress Non-physical work Work with something established Ability to stay in a job I find satisfying Flexible work arrangement Independent contributor Low structure Consistent work Not competitive

WP =

1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

_______________________________ _______________________________ _______________________________ _______________________________ _______________________________

EXERCISE

Motivated Skills (MS)

Overview
This exercise will help you identify your motivated skillsthose abilities that you most enjoy using. If you focus on using your motivated skills at work, you will derive greater satisfaction and achievement because you will be playing to your strengths and doing what you enjoy.

Instructions
This is a two part exercise. Part One. Work through Column #1, writing down 1,2,3,4 or 5 for each skill listed. This score is your satisfaction level. To answer these questions, ask yourself How much do I enjoy using this skill? 1 2 3 4 5 = = = = = strongly dislike using prefer not to use like using enjoy using delight in using

Part Two. Write values into Column #2 asking yourself How much skill do I have in this area? 1 = little or no skill 2 = competent 3 = strong ability Example: If you delight in building things but have little or no skill, you would write 5 in Column #1 (satisfaction level) and 1 in Column #2 (skill level).

My Motivated Skills Exercise

Skill Name Satisfaction Level Skill Level Top 10

Low 1 <--> 5 high Low 1 <--> 3 high

Work with Things Assemble/build Artistic presentation Clean and order Collect, arrange, display Cook/prepare food Do carpentry, electrical work, masonry, etc. Do precision work Craft making Drafting, drawing, create images Drive operate Grow things, plant, cultivate Inspect Maintain/repair tools, machines, equipment Operate office equipment Take photographs Use physical coordination and strength Work outdoors Work with animals Work with hands

Column #1

Column #1

...continued on next page

My Motivated Skills Exercise, cont'd

Skill Name Satisfaction Level
Low 1 <--> 5 high

Skill Level
Low 1 <--> 3 high

Top 10

Work with People Anticipate needs Assist, serve others Coach, mentor, develop potential Communicate Counsel, advise, guide Demonstrate Entertain, perform Facilitate groups, discussions Host/hostess Influence, persuade Inform Interview Lead Listen, support Manage, supervise, delegate Mediate (help solve conflicts) Motivate Negotiate Network make connections, find resources Plan, forecast, strategize Relate well to a variety of people Sell, persuade Speak in public Teach, train Treat, nurse

Column #1

Column #1

...continued on next page

My Motivated Skills Exercise, cont'd

Skill Name Satisfaction Level
Low 1 <--> 5 high

Skill Level
Low 1 <--> 3 high

Top 10

Work with Information, Data, Ideas

Column #1

Column #1

Analyze facts, ideas, data Attend to details, observe Brainstorm, bring ideas together Budget, audit Calculate, estimate, count Classify, inventory Coordinate/organize projects or people Create, invent, design Determine policy or structure Diagnose and solve problems Edit, proofread Improvise Initiate and promote action or change Manage records Plan Research, investigate. Gather information Use intuition Use memory Write

Now, find the skills for which you gave a high score both for satisfaction and skill level. Put a check mark next to the top 10 from the Top 10 column. Then, of these Top 10, select your five strongest preferences. Write these five motivated skills in the box below.

MS =

1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

_______________________________ _______________________________ _______________________________ _______________________________ _______________________________

EXERCISE

My Self-Portrait Summary
Overview
The Self-Portrait Summary is where everything you have discovered about yourself throughout the Career Assessment process comes together in one place. The Summary shows you how your unique individuality is expressed through your personality, your values, your abilities and preferences. Having all this information in one place usually suggests a career direction which is optimally suited to who you are, where you want to go, and what you are prepared to do, not do, sacrifice and contribute along the way.

Instructions
Go back through the assessment exercises you have already completed in this chapter and transcribe what you wrote in the summary boxes at the end of each one. Write the information in the appropriate spaces in the Self-Portrait Summary form. As you do this, as the picture begins to come together, check your answers to the earlier exercises. Do they still feel right? If not, go ahead and make whatever changes you think would result in a more accurate portrait. Once you've finished with these assessment exercises, don't put them aside and forget about them. Review them regularly and make whatever changes seem appropriate. This is a living document; it will only stop growing and changing if you do. And, as always, take your time! Done right, these assessment exercises will keep you on course throughout the monthsand yearsahead.

My Self-Portrait Summary Exercise I want to do work that:

supports my personal values (PV): 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. ________________________________ ________________________________ ________________________________ ________________________________ ________________________________

is aligned with my work preferences (WP): 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. ________________________________ ________________________________ ________________________________ ________________________________ ________________________________

uses my motivated skills (MS): 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. ________________________________ ________________________________ ________________________________ ________________________________ ________________________________

is a good fit with my personality type (PT): 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. ________________________________ ________________________________ ________________________________ ________________________________ ________________________________

and may include these career fields of jobs (CI): 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. ________________________________ ________________________________ ________________________________ ________________________________ ________________________________