Day 2 - Choosing your job

Note: If you already have a clear idea of the job you're looking for, today's exercises will still help to get an even clearer picture of your goal. Remember: you can't hit a target that you can't see.

By Kevin Donlin, Star Tribune Sales and Marketing

Last update: February 28, 2006 - 9:38 AM

Over the next three days you're going to do three things:

1. Define the three skills you want in your next job, so you know what you want to do,

2. Define jobs using those three skills, so you know what to look for,

3. Define the demand for those jobs, so you know where to focus.

To do this three step process, use three resources that don't cost a penny: a ballpoint pen, pad of paper and the startribune.com/jobs or some similar site.

It's been said your first answers to a tough question are likely to be true, and won't change much if you spend half a day mulling those answers over.

In other words, if I told you point blank: "Write down three skills you most want to use in your next job in 30 seconds. Go!" ... the answers would be the same if I gave you three hours.

Reason?

Your first answers to difficult questions are likely to be congruent with your subconscious beliefs, so they pop out quickly. Take this quick test and judge for yourself.

What's your favorite soft drink?

If you could live in any city in the world, what would it be?

What sports team do you love most?

None of those questions had anything in common. But I'll bet you answered each of them fast. Your "gut" took over and quickly delivered the answers from your subconscious.

It's the same with choosing your next job. You already know the answer. You already know the work that gives you joy.

Ready?

Let's go! RIGHT NOW write down as many skills as you can on a sheet of paper. Write for 60 seconds and do not censor yourself.

Finished? Good.

Most people write down three to ten or more skills. Things like: writing, training people, customer service, managing others, public speaking, etc.

There are no right or wrong answers, so don't worry if your list looks strange.

Day 3: Defining your three skills.

Kevin Donlin owns Minnesota based Guaranteed Resumes and writes a biweekly column providing job search and resume writing advice. He is also the author of the books "51 Ways to Find a Job Fast -- Guaranteed" and "Resume and Cover Letter Secrets Revealed." Reach him at the Guaranteed Resumes website: http://www.gresumes.com.

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