Your Successful Career Planning Strategies Checklist

Self-Assessment

Interests

• I have listed some of the main career areas I might be interested in
• I have decided whether I like "doing" or "thinking" activities at work
• I have a listed of my favorite activities I enjoy doing (both work and leisure)

Values

• I have listed some of the most important values to me (i.e. prestige, security, and variety)
• I know what kind of rewards are important to me in a job i.e. social, monetary, and/or job flexibility

Skills

• I have listed my three most useful job skills
• I know what I am most successful doing
• I have identified whether I want to work with people, data, or things
• I know whether I want to be supervised or be the supervisor
• I know if I want to work with others or work alone

Setting

• I have chosen the setting in which I would like to work (i.e. large industrial, small business, government, non-profit)

Many of these tasks can be accomplished through taking a career assessment workshop at the Career Center

Career Exploration

• I am familiar with the resources in THE CAREER CENTER library so I am able toe further explore my options
• I have developed a list of job and career possibilities to research.
• I have identified employers interested in interviewing people with my academic background and experience.
• I have complied a list of potential employers who may not have immediate openings, but would be good prospects in the future. I am establishing a professional relationship with these employers.
• I have a list of three or more employers in the field I’m considering. I plan to visit their organizations.
• I have made at least three contacts in my fields.
• I have conducted three information interviews to gain information and advice from professionals in my field.

Internship Experience

• I have narrowed down the job/career options I am considering for an internship position.
• I have identified the needed additional educational or experiential background I need to better prepare for or help test my choices, i.e., course work, part-time work, extracurricular activities.
• I have met with the Internship Coordinator.
• I have participated in some work experience or internship in my field of interest.
• I am aware of the daily realities of the occupational are I am approaching.
• I have visited several of the work sites being considered as my career choice.
• I have become an active member in at least one professional association to enhance my job awareness.

Internship/Job Search Preparation

Resume

• I have attended a Resume Writing Workshop.
• I have a clear job objective.
• I have written a resume which:
  • shows how my skills and experience fit my objective
  • speaks in terms of accomplishments and uses action verbs
  • is one, or at the most two pages
  • has no spelling or grammatical errors
  • has been typed and professionally duplicated
  • I am ready to compose a specific cover letter to accompany each resume

Interview

• I have attended a Interview Techniques Workshop
• I have thoroughly researched the employer with whom I am to interview
• I have completed informational interviewing to gather information about employers.
• I have practiced my interviewing technique and am prepared to answer most interview questions.
• I have questions to ask employers during the interview.
• I will arrive at the interview on time and looking professional
• I have written a than-you letter after each interview.