If You Want To Progress In Your Job But Do Not Know How Bad Or Good You Are, Do This.
The art of the start
Are you that guy who thinks that money will follow as long as you build years in your resume?
I’ve witnessed many of my clients who think finding a better role or job is about building more years on your resume and inserting tasks that would impress the hiring manager and pitch it as if that skill has a lot of value.
I have reviewed a lot of resumes. They say a lot of crap, but if I uncover it during the actual interview, candidates do not know what they are talking about when I delve with them more profoundly.
Looking Within
It is always best to do a self-audit of yourself. While performing an assessment, be honest and admit that you do not have everything — otherwise, there is nothing to evaluate in the first place.
Imagine that you will enter a competition, and it requires some serious training.
Before jumping into a program, you must first evaluate your strengths, personality traits, and competencies.
It provides personalized reports with insights into your skills and areas for development.
Whatever your role or job is, I am giving you a preview of questions to ask yourself to assess your competencies.
You can go over these basic questions to kick-off:
SKILLS
Technical
- Are you proficient in using Microsoft Excel?
- Have you ever used software that is being utilized in your industry or job?
Communication
- How comfortable are you with public speaking?
- Do you consider yourself an effective written communicator?
Problem-Solving
- Describe a challenging problem you’ve encountered at work and how you resolved it.
- How do you approach problem-solving along with other people?
PERSONALITY
Trait Assessment
- Do you consider yourself more introverted or extroverted?
- How do you typically handle stressful situations?
Interpersonal Skills
- How do you build rapport with new colleagues or clients?
- Describe how you solve conflict in a team environment.
Leadership Style
- Have you ever taken on a leadership role in a group project?
- How do you motivate and inspire others to achieve common goals?
COMPETENCY
Leadership Competencies
- Rate your ability to delegate tasks and responsibilities effectively (if you manage people).
- How do you demonstrate accountability and ownership in your work?
Teamwork and Collaboration
- Describe a successful collaboration experience you’ve had in the past.
- How do you navigate disagreements or conflicts within a team?
Adaptability and Flexibility
- How do you handle unexpected challenges in the workplace?
- Can you provide an example of a time when you successfully adapted to a new work environment or project?
CAREER INTEREST
Preferred Work Environment
- Do you thrive in fast-paced, dynamic work environments or prefer a more structured setting?
- Are you interested in roles that involve a lot of interaction with others, or do you prefer working independently?
Skills and Tasks Preferences
- What tasks do you enjoy most in your current or previous roles?
- Are there specific skills or competencies you want to develop or utilize in your next career move?
Long-Term Career Goals
- Where do you see yourself in your career five years from now?
- What factors are most important to you when considering potential career opportunities?
These are examples of the types of questions you might encounter in assessments you find online.
The questions may vary on the specific assessment you choose to take and the focus areas of the evaluation.
It will also uncover skills or traits you need to work on if you are eyeing an upgrade.
I can also vouch using Strengthsfinder, which I used to determine your top strengths so that you can leverage them.
The Best Way To Vouch It
After going over the answers above, try to ask yourself.
“Am I honest enough to answer these questions?”
“Did I under (over) state myself?”
When self-assessment feels challenging, seeking feedback from others confirms it.
Choose colleagues, supervisors, peers, and mentors, and be specific in your request, asking focused questions.
I recall asking a colleague formally via email (for my internal use) about how they find me as a collaborator and what can be improved.
Just be prepared if they give you feedback that you didn’t expect. Be humble enough to accept what these guys have to say.
Create a safe environment where honest feedback can flourish.
Actively listen without defensiveness, reflecting on the input received.
Develop an action plan based on identified areas for improvement, and express gratitude to those who contributed.
Integrating feedback into ongoing development efforts fosters growth and ensures progress.
This approach to feedback enhances self-awareness and supports continuous improvement in your career journey.
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