career assessment tool - ralphwakerly.com - essential...

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Copyright 2015 ralphwakerly.com

Career Assessment Tooldeveloped by

Ralph T. Wakerly

2015

http://www.ralphwakerly.com

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The Flower Diagram - A Picture of the Job of Your Dreams

Salary and Level of Responsibility

Values, Purposes, and Goals

Favorite Interests

Geography

Work Environment

Skills

People Environment

Understanding the Flower Diagram*

Geography – This refers to where you work. That includes factors such as climate, surroundings, local culture and commuting distance.

Skills – This is at the heart of your career choice and appropriately appears in the center. What are the skills you most enjoy using and are best at?

Fields of Interest – This is about the subjects or content that interests you. Working with topics or things that interest you will increase your job satisfaction and make your days enjoyable.

People – The people you work with are a major determinant of job satisfaction and enjoyment. This pertains to both your co-workers and others outside your company with whom you interact.

Values, Purposes, Goals – This is an essential consideration. Many people don’t think about what purpose they are serving; they might view their jobs as only a way to make money and support themselves. Research shows that people who are serving a higher purpose and companies that stress this lead to more satisfied employees.

Working Conditions – This refers to the physical environment, stress, amenities, safety and the like.

Salary and Level of Responsibility – Obviously this is an important factor to consider in your career. Most people focus on this first and foremost, but miss the bigger picture of the entire Flower Diagram. High salary doesn’t always equal high job satisfaction.

*Adapted from “What Color Is Your Parachute,” Richard Bolles


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Identifying Your Favorite Fields of Interest (or fields of fascination)

1. What subjects or hobbies can you spend hours enjoying?

2. What causes you to lose all track of time?

3. If you could talk with someone about something all day long, day after day, what would the subject of field of interest be?

4. If you were stuck on a desert island with a person who only had the capacity to speak on a few subjects, what would you want those subjects?

5. What are your favorite subjects – the ones you are drawn to in magazines, libraries, bookstores, trade expos or other venues?

Example fields of interest

Creating beautyGrowing thingsSportsConstructionEducation/trainingTravelPhotographyReligion/spiritualityCounselingHealth planningHealth careFitnessDrug abuseForeign languages

Management/administrationUrban/regional planningBooks, magazines, newspapersWeb SitesMachinesInformation systemsHuman rightsConsumer advocacyLandscapingAviationAerospaceReal estateCriminal justice, corrections

Computer hardwareComputer softwareCookingWritingFoodLawMusicDanceAnimalsCarsInvestmentsPoliticsRelationships

Your List

1. __________________________________________________

2. __________________________________________________

3. __________________________________________________


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Your Favorite People Environments - The Party Pretend you are at a party and there are six rooms with different kinds of people. A description of the people is provided below:

Realistic (R)People who have athletic or mechanical ability, prefer to work with objects, machines, tools, plants or animals, or to be outdoors.

Conventional (C)People who like to work with data, have clerical or numerical ability, carrying things out in detail or following through on others’ instructions.

Enterprising (E)People who like to work with people – influencing, persuading, or performing or leading or managing for organizational goals or economic gain.

Investigative (I)People who like to observe, learn, investigate, analyze, evaluate, or solve problems.

Artistic (A)People who have artistic, innovating or intuitional abilities, and like to work in unstructured situations, using their imagination or creativity.

Social (S)People who like to work with people – to inform, enlighten, help, train, develop, or cure them, or are skilled with words.

Which room would you instinctively be drawn to, as the group of people you would most enjoy being with? Write the letter of that group/room here:_____

After fifteen minutes, everyone in your room is leaving for another party, except you. Which room would you go to next? Write the letter of that group/room here:_____ After another 15 minutes, there are no drinks left so your group decides to leave. You don’t drink, so decide to stay behind. Which room would you move to now? Write the letter of that group/room here:_____

The three letters you have chosen are an approximation of what’s called your “Holland Code.” It is a coding system developed by Dr. John Holland to categorize people environments. You might want to consult the web site www.self-directed-search.com for more information and to take the full test to learn more.


http://www.self-directed-search.com

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Your Favorite People Environments (cont.)Another dimension to your favorite people environment is he types of people you might want to serve. Here are some examples:

ChildrenTeensAdults

Older adultsThe physically sick

The mentally illThe highly intelligent

Those of average intelligenceThose of low intelligence

IntellectualsHappy people

People with a problemPeople of a particular race, gender, political orientation

Alone!Other attributes? __________________________

Check any of these that apply to you, or write down others that come to mind.


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Geography - Where Do You Want to Work?Possible factors to consider in your decision:

• Prevalence of the types of careers you want; career growth opportunities• Economic conditions• Cost of living and salaries versus other areas• Climate• Geography – physical appearance• Social, entertainment, cultural resources• Suburbs vs. city vs. rural• Types of people – orientation, profession, race, religion, etc.• Proximity to friends and relatives• Availability of work for you and your spouse• Attractiveness for raising your children (schools, peers, etc.)• Ability to care for an older parent• Ease of travel both locally and across the country (airport access, time to

reach other cities)

Based on this, where I work must have the following attributes:

1. ___________________________________________________

2. ___________________________________________________

3. ___________________________________________________

Based on this, my preferred location(s) to work is (are) (city, state):

1. ___________________________________________________

2. ___________________________________________________

3. ___________________________________________________


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Compensation and Level of Responsibility

1. At what level would you like to work?

Think about your answer near and long term, and note below, understanding that most people are not ready to be a CEO immediately!

• Boss or CEO• Manager or someone under the boss who carries out orders, but also gives

them• The head of a team• A member of a team of equals• One who works in tandem with one other partner• One who works alone, either as an employee or as a consultant to an

organization or as a one person business

2. What compensation level do you want?

• Minimum – what you need to live on to support a reasonable life style and budget. (if you do not have a household budget, it would be wise to complete one!).

• Maximum – what you think you can obtain for your present competency and experience level in the career you are targeting.

3. What other rewards are important to you?

• Adventure• Challenge• Respect• Influence• Popularity• Fame• Power• Intellectual stimulation from co-workers• A chance to lead• A chance to make decisions• A chance to help others• A chance to bring others closer to God• Other: __________________________


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Values, Purposes, and Goals“To the extent that your work takes into account the needs of the world, it will be meaningful; to the extent that through it you express your unique

talents, it will be joyful.” - Laurence Boldt, Author, “How to Find the Work You Love”

1. It would be a good life, if at its end, people remembered me as one who…

• Served or helped those in need• Impressed people with my going the second mile, in meeting their needs• Was good at carrying out orders or bringing projects to a successful

conclusion• Did something everyone said couldn’t be done• Excelled at what I did• Pioneered or explored some new technology• Fixed something that was broken• Began a new business that lasted beyond my time• Was acknowledged as a leader• Trained or taught many people• Was in the spotlight, gained recognition• Etc.

2. My goal before I die, is to be able to help people with their need for:

• Clothing (people’s need to find and choose appropriate and affordable clothing

• Food (people’s need to be fed, to be saved from starvation or poor nutrition)• Housing and real estate (people’s need to find appropriate and affordable

housing, office or land)• Language (people’s need for literacy, to be able to read or to learn a new

language)• Finances (people’s need to have help with budgeting, taxes, financial

planning, money management, etc.)• And many more…

Mission Statement

I will apply my skills in __________________________________ and __________________ (your most important skills) to help, serve, or assist ____________________ (who you will help) to ______________________________, ____________________________________________________ (outcome or what you value you will deliver to those you are serving).

Example Mission Statement

I will use my teaching, consulting, communication and marketing skills to help individuals and companies build their brand and achieve success.


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Working Conditions 1. Distasteful working conditions. I have learned from the past that my

effectiveness at work is decreased when I have to work under these conditions:

2. The Keys to My effectiveness at work. I believe my effectiveness would be at a maximum if I could work under these conditions:

If you are really analytical, you can rank order these.


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Five Penetrating QuestionsHere are five key questions that can help you zero in on your ideal career.

1. Write down any passion that MUST be part of your next career. Examples: sports, education, management, cooking, machines, information technology, helping children, carpentry, religion, interior design.

2. Do you have a skill or two that you are good at and know you want to use in your next career?

3. Does one or two of the following characteristics truly define you? If so, star it. If not, what characteristics come to mind for you? (You might ask a loved one or friend to help):

• Leader• Entrepreneur• Caring for others• Thinker• Artistic• Builder/maker of things• Problem solver• Helper of people by talking with them• Makes things run efficiently• Other:______________

4. What is your job from hell? Now describe the opposite – your job from heaven.

5. If you simplified your life so that you could live on $20,000 per year, what career would you choose?


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Using Career Assessment Instruments There are many career assessment instruments available via the web to help you gauge what careers might be a match for you. Some of these are available at no cost and most cost less than $50. It’s important to understand that these tests should be used primarily to generate ideas to help you investigate careers you might not have considered. They can help you focus your research and exploration process. Don’t rely on the assessment instruments to “tell you what you should be.”

The best career decision comes from a blend of rational and intuitive thinking with your heart governing the final decision. Ultimately, career success and enjoyment will come from the intrinsic rewards you receive. Financial and other rewards will follow, if you also remember these wise words:

“To the extent that your work takes into account the needs of the world, it will be meaningful; to the extent that through it you express your unique talents, it will be joyful.” - Laurence Boldt, Author “How to Find the Work You Love”

“Everyone has been made for some particular work and the desire for that work has been put in his or her heart.” - Rumi

“Where your talents and the needs of the world cross, there lies your vocation.” - Aristotle

“If you love and serve man, you cannot, by any hiding or stratagem, escape remuneration.” - Emerson

Having said that, here are a few good career assessment instruments. There are many tests out there, including many bogus free tests, so be careful to utilize a proven instrument from a trusted source.

http://www.myersbriggs.org/my-mbti-personality-type/take-the-mbti-instrument/

http://www.careerkey.org/english/you/

http://www.princetonreview.com/careers-after-college.aspx


http://www.myersbriggs.org/my-mbti-personality-type/take-the-mbti-instrument/

http://www.careerkey.org/english/you/

http://www.princetonreview.com/careers-after-college.aspx

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Now that you’ve completed your flower diagram, what do you do with it? First, hang your mission statement and goals on your refrigerator, bathroom mirror or wherever it will be visible so you will be reminded of your focus.

Your flower gives you a “picture” of what your career will look like at its full potential - doing the work you truly love. It is an essential first step. In addition, it gives you excellent preparation for resume development and effective interviewing. Referencing your flower diagram will also allow you to evaluate potential positions and job offers.

Next, you will want to go through the career marketing process to find the actual job that’s right for you:

Informational interviewing to find out what jobs/careers fit your flower diagram. Finding out all about those jobs from people who do them.

• Informational interviewing to find out what jobs/careers fit your flower diagram. Finding out all about those jobs from people who do them.

• Developing a resume targeted for the work you love.

• Researching organizations, in your target geographical area, who interest you and who employ people in your target job(s)/career. Finding out what they do and what kinds of problems they or their industry are wrestling with.

• Getting in to see decision makers in the target companies, using networking to make this happen.

• Interviewing effectively. Show decision makers how you can solve their problems and deliver value.

• Negotiating the offer. Utilizing effective negotiating skills to get fair compensation for your value.

• Closing the deal and starting the work you love!

Now What?


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Here is additional detail regarding the steps to follow to secure the work you love. Note that it covers only the essential elements of the approach in a simplified fashion. For more insights, see What Color is Your Parachute or work with a qualified Career Coach or Counselor.

Don’t look for a job yet. Conduct research and start networking. (Unless you are already sure of your desired career and know exactly what you have to offer to whom and why you are a fit).

1. Research the careers you are considering and get ideas for related careers you might not have thought of:

• Find out which companies/industries employ people in these careers. Get names of companies in your geographic area. Find out names of people in the positions you are considering. Use your contact network to get specific names/companies.

» Web research » Recruiters » Your contacts

• Conduct information interviews with people who do the work (not those who will hire you) that you are considering. Tell them up front you are NOT asking them for a job, you want information only.

» Ask about the elements of the flower diagram, e.g.

* What skills are needed?* What is the work content? What does a typical work day look

like?* What kinds of people work in this field? In this position?* What are the working conditions like?* What types of values/purposes does this position address?* What are the salary ranges?* Based on my background and skills, do you think I would fit?* What kinds of problems do they have and how might my skills

and abilities assist?* What do you most like and dislike about this career?

» Contacts developed through an information interview might:

* Introduce you to leaders in your field* Introduce you to other contacts* Suggest companies you should target* Recommend successful recruiters* Provide guidance on your job search strategy* Know of specific job openings* Continue to act as your eyes and ears

After Finishing Your Flower Diagram - Detailed Steps


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• Web based and other research (library, books, directories) » Find out about elements of the flower diagram as above.

• Narrow your career choices based on this information.

2. Develop your resume(s) around your specific qualifications for the chosen career(s).

3. Make a list of target companies and positions within those companies you would like to work for, whether they have openings or not.

4. Research the target companies and find out who has the power to hire you for the position you want by networking. Talk to people who are in the company or familiar with it. Find out who the decision makers are, what they are like, what their needs might be and if your contacts are willing to assist in paving the way for an interview for you.

5. Use your network to get in to see decision makers with the power to hire you at those companies. Several approaches:

• The direct approach of asking for a job (usually fails unless they have an opening in which case you have a big advantage over the other 100 candidates since you were referred by one of their contacts!).

• Information interviews to get advice on positioning yourself for these types of positions and possible referrals to others who might help you.

• Learn about their needs and suggest an exploratory meeting to determine if you can help them solve their problems or perhaps you have specific ideas for them based on your research of their situation and needs. (The consultative approach).

6. Ask for referrals from your network and from the target companies if they can’t help you or won’t see you. Ask for permission to use their name. Repeat step 4.

7. Conduct information interviews with decision makers who have the power to hire you.

8. Negotiate the offer

9. Accept the offer in the career you love!

10. Build your personal brand




career assessment tool - ralphwakerly.com - essential...

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