assessments and 2

8/4/2019 Assessments and 2

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EXERCISE

Your PersonalFinancial Inventory

Here's your chance to get an accurate, up-to-date and complete

picture of your personal finances. This is information you willneed to help you make important decisions about how best todevelop your strategy and allocate your time in the weeks ormonths ahead.

Instructions: The exercise that follows contains forty questionsthat cover all aspects of personal finance. Read through eachstatement carefully and decide whether or not it is true for you. Insome cases, the statements may not apply to your currentsituation.

For example, if the statement addresses the value of yourinvestment portfolio and you don't have any investments at themoment, simply answer True.

When you finish the inventory, follow the directions that follow toevaluate your current state of financial readiness for the careersearch process.


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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 andmy 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 self-employed. If you are not self-employed, answer "True.")

I have a team of financial and insurance professionals whoprovide me with excellent guidance and who are available tome 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 creditcards 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.")


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Your Personal Financial Inventory Exercise , cont'd

VALUE TRUE FALSE

If my credit score is below 700, I know how to raise my scoreand 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. Ifyou are self-employed, this refers to an individual retirementplan.)

All my important financial documents are securely lockedaway.

I set aside at least 10% of my gross monthly income into asavings 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 andadjusting my financial plan.

I have prepared my will. It is up to date and expresses mycurrent 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 loansoutstanding, answer "True

I know the current total of all my checking and savingsaccounts.

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) frommy retirement or pension funds. (NOTE if you do not have

any pension or retirement funds OR if you do not yet receiveany 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 youhave 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 anyinvestments of this type, answer True.)


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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 anymortgages I am obligated to pay. (NOTE: if you do not haveany mortgages payable, answer "True."

I know the current assessed value andmarket value of all realestate 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 backgroundreceive for the same work and responsibilities.

I know the current balance of any short term loan I amobligated to pay. This could be a business loan or a personal

loan or a loan from a family member. (NOTE: if you do nothave any personal loan payable, answer "Yes.")

I almost always spend my money sensibly and avoid luxuries Icannot afford.

I know exactly how much money I receive every month fromall sources of income (salary, commissions, royalties, incomefrom businesses, rental income, etc.)


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Evaluation

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

Total Score Evaluation / Assessment

36 - 40 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 inthe months ahead.

32 36 You are well above average in keeping your financial house in order. To be onthe safe side, however, we suggest that you review those areas where youanswered False and take steps to further strengthen your position and get the

most out of the resources you have.

28 32 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 aspossible.

less than 28 Sorry, you're not ready. Review the inventory and make a commitment to putyour 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!


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CHAPTER 2

Career Assessment

Overview

Career Assessment is self-discovery.

If it all sounds a little too introspective and impractical, there'smore to it than you might think including a solid theoreticalfoundation, an established track record of effective use by Fortune500 companies from around the world, and, most important,tangible feedback that can dramatically accelerate your careersearch process.


7/19

EXERCISE

Personal Values (PV)

Overview

We live in a time of conflicting values. But when it comes to theindividualindividually 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 elsewill value us either. The starting point for valuing ourselves isbeing 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 willchoose those most important to you. Take your time but don'tover-think your selections. Let your intuition assist you. It is oftenthe case that in an exercise like this, the first choice you make willbe 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. Not important

2. Important

3. Neutral, Neither important nor unimportant

4. Important

5. Very important


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VALUE SCORE

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

Now circle all values with an importance score of 4 or 5. Theseare the values your care most about. As you make your decisions

about your next job or your overall career direction, which five ofthese values will be most important to include or accommodate?List them below.

V= 1. _______________________________2. _______________________________

3. _______________________________4. _______________________________

5. _______________________________


9/19

EXERCISE

My Personality Type

Overview

For this analysis we rely heavily on the work of Americanpsychologist 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 sixpersonality types. As you see, each one is characterized by a setof aptitudes and preferences, and each type is ideally suited to acorresponding type of career.


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Instructions

Review the table carefully and select the type that seems mostaccurately to fit your own personal style and preferences. Once

you have made your selection, write the name of the personalitytype in the space provided at the bottom of the table.

My Personality Type Exercise

Type Style Work Environment SkillsTypical

Occupations

REALISTIC

Technically andaesthetically inclined

doers. Practical, genuine,hands-on, concrete, self-

reliant, traditional,

Working with hands, workingout doors or in laboratories,

factories, machine shops. Often

athletic

Building, repairing,

growing, making.

Engineering, skilled

traders, agricultural andtechnical vocations.

INVESTIGATIVE

Abstractproblem solverswho prefer to use mind to

learn, investigate, andsolve problems. Curious,

precise, independent,creative, analytical

Prefer to work with science,

theories, and data in

laboratories, libraries,universities, and other research

or learning-orientedenvironments.

Writing, synthesizing,designing, composing,

creating.

Creative fields such as

writing, acting, directing,fine arts, designing,

photography, journalism.

ARTISTIC

Expressive creators who

prefer to work with mind,

body, and emotions.Idealistic, imaginative,

intuitive, independent.

Work alone or with others tocreate innovative systems,

products, services, events,programs, etc.

Writings, synthesizing,

designing, composing,creating.

Creative fields such aswriting, acting, directing,

fine arts, designing,photography, journalism.

SOCIAL

Friendly helpers whoenjoy leading, managing

people andaccomplishing goals.

Persuasive, self-

confident, ambitious,

energetic.

Work with others in the service

of people.

Teaching, helping,explaining, healing,

counseling.

Occupations related to

teaching, social welfare,human resources, leisure

industry, helpingprofessional and

vocations.

ENTERPISING

Assertive influencers

who enjoy leading,managing people and

accomplishing goals.

Persuasive, self-

confident, ambitious,energetic.

Work in fast-paced, results-oriented 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

Systematic data and

detail organizers whoprefer to work with

words and numbers.Accurate, efficient,

conscientious, precise.

Wok in structured, orderly

environments with clear andwell-defined rules and policies.

Setting up procedures,organizing and

managing data andmaterials, working with

computers.

Finance, datamanagement, information

services, administrativeand clerical, accounting.

PT =


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Instructions

Read through the lists of typical careers associated with each

personality type. When you have finished, write down in the boxbelow, five that seem natural choices for you.

My Career Ideas (CI) Typical for Selected Personality Types

Type Consider Working in Jobs / Fields Such As:

REALISTIC

Merchandise, Food and OperationsLandscaping

Technician Services (Plumber, Electrician,

etc.)Entertainment Technician

Emergency Medical Technician

SecurityCulinary

Coaching

Athletic DirectorHealthcare

Engineering

INVESTIGATIVE

Finance

Information services

Database

Systems Engineering

Marketing or Contracts Administration

Computer Operator

Telecommunications

Lawyer

Professor

Researcher

Problem Solver

Medical

ARTISTIC

Culinary

MarketingPublic Relations

Promotions

CostumingDesign

Advertising

ProductionWriter

Journalist

Hospitality industry

SOCIAL

Merchandise

Food and Operations

Human Resources

Healthcare

Training and Development

Sales

Teaching

Hospitality

Cruise Coordinator

Service Business

ENTERPISING

Purchasing

Sales

Advertising

Marketing

Legal

Culinary

management in all

departments/divisions

CONVENTIONAL

FinanceAccounting

Security

Administrative Supporting

CoordinatorPayroll

Information Services

CI =1. _______________________________2. _______________________________

3. _______________________________

4. _______________________________5. _______________________________


12/19

EXERCISE

Work Preferences (WP)

Overview

The next step in the assessment process is to look at yourpersonal work preferences. Knowing your preferences makes iteasier for you to choose work that is satisfying and enjoyable and

avoidchoosing 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 tocareers where you can work more or less on your own. On theother hand, you may love the responsibility and authority thatcomes with a management position and thrive in environmentsthat are busy, dynamic and test your leadership abilities on adaily basis.

What's important to remember that here, as with the PersonalityTypes, there is no right choice. You will do best in a compatibleenvironment. 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 boxbelow.


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My Work Preferences Exercise

Work Preferences

S = strongly prefer P = prefer N = no preference

S P N P S

Manage people Do not manage people

Work in a team setting Work mostly alone

Routine work Creative, non-routine work

High risk, exciting Low risk, reliable

Lots of public contact Limited public contact

Mostly work indoors Mostly work outdoors

High pressure, fast pace Low pressure, consistent pace

Be specialized, an expert Use broad knowledge and skills

Requires attention to detail Requires little attention to detail

Hours flexible Hours consistent

Lots of surprises Predictable

Exciting, demanding Low stress

Physical work Non-physical work

Work with something new Work with something establishedHigh potential for promotion Ability to stay in a job I find satisfying

Stable work environment Flexible work arrangement

Leading, developing others Independent contributor

High structure Low structure

Constantly-changing work Consistent work

Competitive Not competitive

WP = 1. _______________________________2. _______________________________3. _______________________________

4. _______________________________5. _______________________________


14/19

EXERCISE

Motivated Skills (MS)

Overview

This exercise will help you identify your motivated skillsthoseabilities that you most enjoy using. If you focus on using your

motivated skills at work, you will derive greater satisfaction andachievement because you will be playing to your strengths anddoing 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 enjoyusing this skill?

1 = strongly dislike using2 = prefer not to use3 = like using4 = enjoy using5 = delight in using

Part Two. Write values into Column #2 asking yourselfHowmuch skill do I have in this area?

1 = little or no skill2 = competent3 = strong ability

Example: If you delight in building things but have little or noskill, you would write 5 in Column #1 (satisfaction level) and 1in Column #2 (skill level).


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My Motivated Skills Exercise

Skill NameSatisfaction

LevelSkillLevel

Top 10

Low 1 5 high Low 1 3 high

Work with Things Column #1 Column #1

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

...continued on next page


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My Motivated Skills Exercise, cont'd

Skill NameSatisfaction

LevelSkillLevel

Top 10

Low 1 5 high Low 1 3 high

Work withPeople Column #1 Column #1

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

...continued on next page


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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. ________________________________

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