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    How to use the holidays as a time for self assessment

    November 30, 2009 · 5 Comments

    reflection.8395783_8dda8afb97_mIt’s so nice to be able to turn to my network of colleagues who are willing to share advice and insights with all of us! In a continuation of my series on job hunting for the holidays, today’s thoughts are from Meghan M. Biro. Meghan is founder of Talent Culture, where she partners with clients, corporations and individuals to ensure a match between hiring needs, brand and culture/personality. I “met” Meghan via Twitter and have had a chance to speak with her several times. I was delighted to have her accept my invitation to join in the chorus of expert opinions regarding how to make the best of the holidays.

    These are Meghan’s ideas:

    The holidays can be a daunting time to look for a new job or contemplate a career move. Exhortations to be thankful and/or happy may be in conflict with the realities of short money, no prospects and few responses to resumes and inquires.

    I agree with my colleagues that it’s not a great idea to suspend a career search during the holidays – many companies are firming up 2010 budgets and it’s still possible to work your way in to a good job.  What can be useful, however, is a quick self-assessment. This task is perfect at the holidays, when we may already be introspective – visits with family and seemingly prosperous friends may have pushed you to examine where you are and where you want to be.

    Keep networking, use social media to connect with people in companies you admire and search for places that could use your skills. As you move forward with the standard seeking-a-job tasks, though, give yourself permission to be introspective.

    Self-assessment isn’t self-indulgence – it’s a hard look at four factors that can affect your appeal as an employee:

    ➢    Personality type
    ➢    Interests
    ➢    Skills
    ➢    Values

    Personality type defines what is consistent – if you’re an introvert or a leader, if you prefer cooperation or manage conflict well. If you aren’t happy with your personality type, remember that you can adapt in other areas through self-assessment. Take interests. You may be very interested in travel and mildly interested in writing. Now may be the time to begin short-form writing in a career journal, on a blog – even on Twitter. Develop this interest into a marketable skill, and build it into your personal brand.

    Skills are things you know how to do well. List all the things you know how to do well, hone those skills and build a story around why they will make you a great employee. [Miriam's note - take a look at the skills lists HERE to help you get started.]

    Personal values may seem to be the least important aspect of a career search, but they, more than anything else, will help you find a business culture where you fit. Use the holidays, a time when it’s safe to think in terms of values, to assess and reconnect with yours. If you value honesty and independence, are outgoing, interested in travel and writing and are skilled at managing people and negotiating compromise, create a narrative that weaves theses attributes into a personal brand. Use the holidays to connect with people who work for companies with cultures that align with your personal brand. From introspection will come inspiration and perhaps new opportunity. Make the holidays work for you with a little self-assessment.

    So, do you believe you have a good handle on who you are and what you offer? Share in the comments!

    Part 1 – My suggestions and a free ebook offer

    Part 2 – Walter Akana – Take care of yourself

    Part 3 – Anita Bruzzese – Stay ahead of the crowd

    Part 4 – Jacqui Barrett-Poindexter – Unplug and embrace rest

    Part 5 – Wendy Enelow – Ideas for employed and unemployed job seekers

    Part 6 – GL Hoffman – Use time to research and prepare

    I can help with every part of your job hunt! Need a great resume? Tips to use social networking? Interview coaching?  If you need help mobilizing your networks and your job search plans, learn more about how I can help you! While you’re at it, don’t forget those social networks! Be sure to become a fan of Keppie Careers on Facebook…I’d be thrilled to have you as part of the community! Since we’re on the subject of doing something new…Are you on Twitter? Jump on and touch base with me @keppie_careers.

    photo by djwhelan

    Related Posts:

    Article by Miriam Salpeter

    Miriam Salpeter, author of Social Networking for Career Success, is a CNN-named "top 10 job tweeter" and contributor to U.S. News & World Report's "On Careers" column. Quoted in major media outlets such as The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times and NBC news for her cutting-edge career advice, Miriam is an in-demand writer and speaker regarding job search and social media. She offers custom packages for job seekers and business owners, including transforming resumes and creating social media profiles/personal websites for clients. Keppie Careers has you covered. Let's get started!

    • http://hrmarketer.blogspot.com/ Kevin W. Grossman

      Completely agree. In 1999 I wasn’t partying like it was 1999 – I was miserable in my job, and that misery seeped into the somewhat healthy ground of the rest of my life. As the holidays approached, I became more and more unapproachable. My girlfriend at the time (now my wife) soon began to tire of the misery and encouraged me to take control and jump. I could’ve waited until January, to begin the proverbial New Year’s Day job search, and almost did, but that would’ve put off the inevitable personal ownership I’ve come to embrace. Self-assessment is the epitome of perfecting personal brand, and that’s when I began my journey. I networked and searched and found another job closer to home and in the HR marketplace. The last day of misery was December 22, 1999.

      Happy Holidays!
      .-= Kevin W. Grossman´s last blog ..Making sense of your PR distribution options (no registration or batteries required) =-.

    • http://www.careerjockey.org Jorge Lazaro Diaz

      I second the introspection recommendation. We can easy get so over focused on the job hunt that we forget to slow down, look inside and consider where we really want to be.

      You mention that Personal Values sometimes take a back seat. That’s a relevant point, but I’d like to address when you just have to take the job you may not really want. (You gotta put food on the table.)

      In that case, introspection is even more valuable. If you know where you stand you are better prepared to proactively anticipate conflicts before they come up and better prepare for them. You can make a game out of “outsmarting” what is likely to come up in your workplace. This mentality goes with the saying, “Keep your friends close and your enemies closer.”

      If you do have to take a job you dislike, introspection can help you make a game out of coping. Your feather in your hat is to rise above the predicament and find joy anyway.

      I wrote my own introspective article “Five Steps for Beating the Christmas Bah Humbug Job Seeker Blues” (see http://www.careerjockey.org/five-steps-for-beating-the-christmas-bah-humbug-economic-blues/) describing what I’m doing to stay very positive during the coming weeks leading up to Christmas.

      Hope this helps.
      .-= Jorge Lazaro Diaz´s last blog ..Five Steps for Beating the Christmas Bah Humbug Job Seeker Blues =-.

    • http://www.careertrend.net Jacqui Barrett-Poindexter

      Meghan,
      Very articulately and sensitively written message (as usual).

      One item that really struck me was your reference to self assessment being a ‘hard look’ vs. ‘self indulgence.’

      Truly, one of my concerns about the rapid pace of social media and the current world culture is the seeming ‘need for speed.’ Consistently, I encourage prospective resume clients to slow down, be introspective and work through a phased, multi-week process to really hone in/redirect their job-search message (it works! not every goal, or phase toward a goal, must be achieved in the stroke of a computer key).

      As well, your encouraging individuals to take some time during this holiday season to assess their situations, assess/research appropriate companies for their skill sets, assess their own factors that impact their appeal to companies, etc., is spot on.

      Combining thoughtful, introspective methodologies with traction-focused ‘action steps’ blends well to spark effective job-search results.

      Jacqui

    • http://twitter.com/MeghanMBiro Meghan M. Biro

      It’s fantastic to be sharing on Miriam’s blog. This is a memorable + special stop on my guest blogging adventure!

      Happy Holidays Kevin. Prince may be disappointed :) but it sounds like you smashed into a proverbial career brick wall. Thanks for sharing your unique story = everybody has one. Misery can actually serve as a valuable teacher + future motivator. Once you are in that certain spot you try never to return. You have successfully turned a negative workplace experience into a fulfilling career. I enjoy reading your thoughtful posts. Cheers.

      Great thoughts Jorge, thanks for sharing interesting ideas. Self-assessment is an ongoing process and one that many job seekers often dismiss in the trials of a search and selection process. It’s an imperative step to finding lasting + fulfilling work. I hear you, individuals need to find the right balance with economic realities. Ideally, it’s an ongoing process where life intersects career. Thanks again + Cheers.

      Appreciate your kind + thoughtful feedback Jacqui. Self-assessment is often misconstrued as self indulgence when it’s actually a core step in a thoughtful career process. Agree completely, so often the hurried pace of our current culture is a barrier to a targeted + introspective career selection process. Certainly this recession has added a layer of complexity to the urgency factor as well. It’s wise for seekers to take the much-needed time. Long-term = think future rewards. Happy Holiday Cheers.
      .-= Meghan M. Biro´s last blog ..MeghanMBiro: chuckles :) > RT @lindseypollak: A $25,000 customized cupcake car in the Neiman Marcus catalogue [via @patkiernan] http://ow.ly/Hyg9 =-.

    • Pingback: Look Inward During the Holidays to Make Next Year Your Best Ever | Act As If It Were Impossible to Fail

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