What's Your Job Search I.Q.?

As you prepare to transition to the civilian workplace, how well prepared are you to organize and implement an effective job search according to the 10-step process outlined on page 3?

Identify your level of job search competence by completing the following exercise.

Instructions: Respond to each statement by indicating which number beneath the statement best represents your situation.

1 = Strongly agree
2 = agree
3 = maybe, uncertain
4 = disagree
5 = strongly disagree

I know what motivates me to excel at work.

1 2 3 4 5
I can identify my strongest abilities and skills.

1 2 3 4 5
I have 7 major achievements that reveal a pattern of interests and abilities that are relevant to my job and career.

1 2 3 4 5
I know what I both like and dislike in work.

1 2 3 4 5
I know what I want to do during the next 10 years.

1 2 3 4 5
I have a well-defined career objective that directs my job search toward certain organizations and employers.

1 2 3 4 5
I know what skills I can offer employers in different occupations.

1 2 3 4 5
I know what skills employers most seek in candidates.

1 2 3 4 5
I can clearly explain to employers what I do well and enjoy doing.

1 2 3 4 5
I can specify why employers should hire me.

1 2 3 4 5
I can gain the support of family and friends for making a job or career change.

1 2 3 4 5
I can find 10 to 20 hours a week to conduct a job search.

1 2 3 4 5
I have the financial ability to sustain a 3-month job search.

1 2 3 4 5
I can conduct library and Internet research on different occupations, employers, organizations, and communities.

1 2 3 4 5
I can write different types of effective resumes and job search/thank-you letters.

1 2 3 4 5
I can produce and distribute resumes and letters to the right people.

1 2 3 4 5
I can list my major accomplishments.

1 2 3 4 5
I can identify and target employers with whom I want to interview.

1 2 3 4 5
I know how to best use the Internet to conduct employment research and network.

1 2 3 4 5
I know which websites are best for posting my resume and for browsing job postings.

1 2 3 4 5
I know how much time I should spend conducting an online job search.

1 2 3 4 5
I can develop a job referral network.

1 2 3 4 5
I can persuade others to join in forming a job search support group.

1 2 3 4 5
I can look for job leads.

1 2 3 4 5
I can use the telephone to develop prospects and get referrals and interviews.

1 2 3 4 5
I can plan and implement an effective direct-mail job search campaign.

1 2 3 4 5
I can persuade employers to interview me.

1 2 3 4 5
I have a list of at least 10 questions about the company I need to ask during interviews.

1 2 3 4 5
I know the best time to talk about salary with an employer.

1 2 3 4 5
I know what I want to do with my life over the next 10 years.

1 2 3 4 5
I have a clear pattern of accomplishments I can explain to employers, giving examples.

1 2 3 4 5
I have little difficulty in making cold calls and striking up conversations with strangers.

1 2 3 4 5
I usually take responsibility for my own actions rather than blame other people for my situation or circumstance.

1 2 3 4 5
I can generate at least one job interview for every 10 job search contacts I make.

1 2 3 4 5
I can follow up on job interviews.

1 2 3 4 5
I can negotiate a salary 10-20 percent above what an employer initially offers.

1 2 3 4 5
I can persuade an employer to negotiate my salary after 6 months on the job.

1 2 3 4 5
I can create a position for myself in an organization.

1 2 3 4 5

____________________________________TOTAL:______

Add up the numbers you circled. If your total is more than 90, you need to work on developing your job search skills. How you scored each item will indicate to what degree you need to work on improving specific job search skills. If your score is under 60 points, you are well on your way toward job search success!