Job Readiness
Classes:
Introduction > Take the Test > Employability Skills > Important Work Vocabulary Words > Job Search Techniques > Once You Are Hired
What Interests You? > What Are Your Goals? > What Do You Want and What Can You Give? > What I Want and Need in a Job
What Do You Want and What Can You Give?
When trying to decide what kind of job you want and before starting your job search, it may be helpful to figure out what kind of work you would like to do and what kind of skills you already have. The questions on this worksheet are meant to help.
Read the questions below about work conditions and write down your answers. (Try to think of other conditions you may or may not like and add them to your list.)
Then write down your skills and work experience (and again, try to think of additional skills and experience you may have.) At the end you should have several sentences that will help describe the kind of job you would like to do and what kind of job experience you have.
Your next step will be to find a job that meets the requirements you have and for which you have the required skills!
Working Conditions
Ask yourself these questions.
- Would you like to work indoors or outdoors?
- Would you like a job working alone or in a group?
- Would you like a job working with people or things?
- Would you prefer to move around while working or sit in one place?
- Would you like to work in a lively place or a quiet place?
- Would you like a job where you wear a uniform, dressy clothes or casual clothes?
- Would you like to do the same task every day or work on different tasks throughout the day?
- Would you like a job that requires little or no special training (unskilled), some training, or special training (skilled)?
- Would you like a job where you are closely supervised or where you manage yourself?
- Would you like to work in the same office or place or would you like to travel around for your job?
Write down your answers.
I would prefer a job that allows me to work ... : (Example: I would like a job that allows me to work indoors, in a group, with people, move around, in a lively place, wear casual clothes, do different tasks, no special skills, where I'm not closely supervised, and work in the same place.)
Work Experience
Ask yourself these questions.
- Do I have experience driving or operating vehicles? (Can I operate a car, van, motorcycle, or truck; a tractor, lawn mower, or farm equipment; snow plow, forklift, or bulldozer; video or camera equipment; special machinery?)
- Do I have experience with mechanics or repairing things? (Can I fix toys or furniture; bikes or cars; stereo, TV or video equipment; electrical wiring and appliances; plumbing and household problems?)
- Do I have experience with office equipment and office skills? (Can I use a computer, typewriter, copy machine, or calculator; file or organize papers, files or books; answer phones, take messages, and interact with people professionally?)
- Do I have experience caring for others? (Do I have experience taking care of young children or older adults; do I have experience taking care of people who are sick or have disabilities; have I organized parties, events, class outings, or family activities?)
- Do I have experience cleaning and cooking? (Can I wash dishes, sweep and mop, dust and vacuum; can I cook or help prepare food; can I sew or mend clothing?)
Write down your answers.
I have experience doing the following ... : (Example: I have experience driving a car and van, doing light filing and answering phones, caring for my younger sisters and grandparents, cleaning and making simple meals.)
Now that you know what kind of job interests you and some of the skills you already have, you can start looking for a job that meets your requirements and for which you have the required skills. For example, the person above wants to work with a lot of people in a lively and casual setting, and has experience taking care of children and elderly people. They might enjoy and do well with a job in a school, daycare center, nursing home, or recreation center.
Next: What I Want and Need in a Job. Do I Need Training?
