How to Create a Job Search Plan

Skills and Experience

Experience

Experience, or accomplishments are a reflection of your skills, expertise, and dedication. They are the tangible evidence of your hard work and achievements. When you discuss your accomplishments, you showcase your potential and highlight your capabilities to potential employers.

Effectively sharing your accomplishments demonstrates your ability to set goals and meet them. It showcases your determination, problem-solving skills, and ability to overcome challenges. By discussing your accomplishments, you prove that you are not only capable but also driven and results-oriented.

Understanding the significance of stating your accomplishments is crucial. It allows you to present a compelling narrative of your professional journey, demonstrating your value to employers. Remember, your accomplishments are the solid proof of your capabilities and deserve to be proudly shared during interviews.

It's pen and paper time. The following is an exercise you can do to help create a list of accomplishments.

Step one: Brainstorm some times that you have been proud and make a list. It doesn't have to be dedicated to IT, these are accomplishments we are going to showcase. Try to think of four or five times you have been really proud of what you have done.

Step two: Now add to this list what your exact contributions to these accomplishments were. For example, one of my proudest accomplishments was being awarded Best Career Services of the Year. I feel my biggest contribution to achieving this recognition was to always do my best for the students I work with each day. In particular making sure they knew that they mattered.

Step three: This part of the exercise helps you to formulate your accomplishments into a narrative format. Storytelling is going to be the next step we talk about after we finish the Descriptives. We are taking these accomplishments and outlining them into a story.

Step Four: Summarize the outcome. Are you seeing any patterns? Common tasks that you did for the accomplishments you can count as strengths? Common titles? You can use these predominant themes as your descriptives.

A simple piece of advice I picked up from a book I was recently reading about presenting with confidence, was to plan how to begin and how to end your story. It saves us from floundering near the end and allows us to finish with a flourish.

How did you do? Here is what you should have in your notes so far:

• Mindset Checkin and NGT Factor

• List of five values

• List of three workplace values

• A List of your top skills

• A skills map

• Your top four to five accomplishments with the beginnings of a story and common themes

Skills

Skills mapping might seem like a lot of extra work, but it is worth the effort. It becomes the tool that you can use to evaluate job descriptions, battle imposter syndrome, make cover letters easy, and prepare for interviews. By taking the time to map out your skills, you can gain a clearer picture of what you bring to the table and how you can excel in your career. This process allows you to identify any gaps in your skillset and take steps to fill them, ultimately making you a stronger candidate for future opportunities.

Furthermore, skills mapping empowers you to confidently navigate your career path and make informed decisions. It helps you gain a better understanding of your strengths and weaknesses, allowing you to focus on areas where you can truly shine. Through this self-reflection, you can align your skills with your career goals and make strategic choices that will lead to long-term success.

Skills mapping also opens doors for personal growth and development. As you assess your current abilities and identify areas for improvement, you can take proactive steps to acquire new skills or enhance existing ones. This not only enhances your professional value but also paves the way for exciting new challenges and opportunities. By continuously updating your skills map, you can stay ahead of industry trends and remain competitive in today's ever-evolving job market.

Use either the NGT skills list or the list of skills you included on your resume. List the skills on the left side then add a definition in your own words. Next, add an example of how it would be applied - either a general example or if it is one used in one of the Program Projects. Lastly, if you have your notes organized, make a note of where this particular topic is discussed.

In conclusion, while skills mapping may require some initial effort, it is a worthwhile investment in your future success. It allows you to evaluate job descriptions, boost your confidence, effectively communicate your abilities in cover letters, and excel in interviews. Moreover, it empowers you to make informed career decisions, cultivates personal growth, and keeps you adaptable in an increasingly competitive job market. Take the time to map your skills and watch your professional journey flourish.

Of the skills you listed, what do you consider your top five? Add these to the list under your written goal.