We’ve all been guilty of this at some point. Finding ourselves in a job situation we have outgrown and which no longer challenges us. That said, in a situation like this, heading to work daily can be nothing short of depressing. This can lead to a negativity which is far-ranging which can also affect our family’s lives as well.
Sticking with a job which no longer encourages you to effectively utilize your skills and expertise to provide outstanding work – and which you don’t enjoy – as you know will not get you promoted or help you move forward.
Aside from all that, if you’ve been with a company long enough, you’ve developed an attachment to the company. You’ve, likely, also developed some serious friendships (emotional attachments) with various co-workers. This can also keep you stuck in an unchallenging job or one you dislike.
You, your identity and self-confidence:
On the other hand, this job negativity, and possible depression, can began to slice away at your self-confidence and self-esteem.
Don’t make the mistake of thinking your job identifies you. 
It does not – and should not. If you think by leaving your current job you will be losing your identity, psychologists say this is incorrect. You are a mix of your values, personal, life and work experience plus your skills, for example. Life Coach Karl Perera, best selling author of “Self Esteem Secrets – 12 Steps to Success” says “Don’t make the mistake of thinking that a job defines who you are; it is only what you do and nothing more”.
You can’t see, touch or hear self-esteem. However there is a voice inside everyone which continues reverberating in your head psychologists say. Commenting on who you are, what you’re doing and what you expect out of life, for instance. That little voice is your self-esteem. If it continues telling you – don’t leave the job, you won’t find another good one; you aren’t capable of getting a better job or your skills are lacking – too poor to help you secure a better job – now is the time to stop and reassess what your skills are.
To better prepare yourself to job search and interview, it’s absolutely essential to take time to consider and write down each skill – both hard and soft – which you possess. Phyllis Hartman, a Human Resources Coach and panelist at the recent Society for Human Resource Management workshop says “The vast majority of job seekers don’t think through what skills they bring to employers”. Among those who do take stock, says Hartman, many under or overestimate their skill set.
Here’s 5 Simple Tips for Assessing Your Skills:
1) Consider your Hard Skills and Soft Skills
On a pad or sheet of paper, make 2 columns; name one Soft Skills, the other Hard Skills. Then begin listing each of the skills the job you currently have requires; leave 2″ of space between each item. Hard Skills are those usually learned through formal training. While Soft Skills are personally developed; generally as a result of interactions with others. These include such things as flexibility, good communicator, team player, problem solver, resourceful, critical thinker.
First – “Drill down on the Hard Skills” says Kathy Robinson, founder of Boston career-coaching firm TurningPoint. Says Robinson – if you are experienced in Excel, for example, describe the tools you’re using, how they’ve helped you. State those specific skills you are proficient with. In short, flesh out each task or job you perform.
Second – When it comes to soft skills, today employers consider these most important. Beside each soft skill note how you’ve applied them in your job and/or working with clients. Write down a time or two when you utilized your critical thinking skills to solve a problem. Note when you used good communication skills to upsell a client a product, calm their purchase fears or helped a co-worker understand a work change.
2). Review your Job Description
Get a copy of your most current job description and from it cull the actual work you perform. Are you supervising a staff? If so how many? Are you responsible for client customer service? If so how many clients are you handling? Define each job; describing, in detail, exactly what you do.
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3) Are you receiving performance reviews? If so examine them.
Consider each statement. What changes were you encouraged to make to your behavior; in what ways did you take charge; how did you communicate after the review, for example? In short, in what ways did you change which better helped your performance. Describe it in detail. While this may not be something you share at an interview, it helps you get a clearer view of your performance. Plus it reminds you of how well your supervisor believed you performed the job.
4) If your company doesn’t have performance reviews, get some feedback from a past co-worker or previous boss.
Ask a previous co-worker (not your best friend or a close, current worker who will be biased in your favor) what they believe your top skills are. Chat with a previous supervisor and get their take on your skills. If you’ve performed volunteer work for a group – for example, your church, a business group, your son’s baseball team – ask the coach, or person in charge, what skills they believe you brought to the group. How were they important, useful or valuable to them?
5) Take an online skills test.
Take a pre-employment test. Many are free. They generally test the top skills companies are looking for in new hires. And provide a score at the end of the testing. Or hook up with the industry group you belong to and test with them if skills-testing/assessment, in your specialty area, are available. This information will help provide an even clearer view of what your skills are and skill level is.
Final Tips:
Regardless the type of job you intend to search for, or industry you’re currently working in, information gathered in the 5 ways listed here will help serve to make clear, to you, each of the skills you possess and how you’re currently utilizing them. Also, when job searching, these facts allow you to quickly determine which job skills can translate/transfer to a job you may be interested in applying for.
Furthermore, most of this is detailed information you can share with an interviewer. Information which can up your opportunity of getting the job offer.
Resources:
* ‘More Self Esteem’ – Karl Perera – https://www.more-selfesteem.com/
* Pre-Employment Testing – dozens of types –
https://www.interviewmocha.com/pre-employment-testing/all-tests
* 5 Things People Who Love Their Jobs Have in Common’ –
https://www.fastcompany.com/3052985/5-things-people-who-love-their-jobs-have-in-common
Submitted by:
Jean L. Serio CEIC, CDI, CPC, CeMA
www.linkedin.com/in/jeanlseriointerviewprepcoach
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