Defining Your Focused Path

If you're just starting your job search, there is a lot of soul-searching to do. If you've been looking for several months and nothing's clicking, this is a good time to rethink your approach, which requires the same kind of self-assessment. Ultimately, knowing what your skills are and determining exactly what you want to do will make all the difference in your job search because you won't be wasting precious time going after jobs that just aren't for you.

When we ask recruiters at our career fairs to share the biggest mistake they see in job seekers, their answer is lack of focus. While being flexible is fantastic, it's easy to blur that line with indecision. They're never impressed by someone who says they'll take anything, that they just want a job. It's a sign of desperation. Recruiters are most impressed by a potential candidate who comes in with a clear objective and focus. They may secretly have 18 other career possibilities they're pursuing, but they mask it when talking to each employer.

The best way to determine what your interests are is to write them down. Spell out your wishes on paper. Print this page and ask yourself the following questions:

What is your dream job at this moment? (It's okay to have a few possibilities)Sit down with a highlighter and the Sunday Help Wanted section of your local Sunday paper and mark all of the jobs, companies, and position descriptions that hold any interest for you, even if you are not qualified. Go with your gut—mark even the smallest word or phrase that speaks to you. Then make a list of everything you've highlighted and search for patterns and repetitions, answering these questions:

• What position titles attract you?
• What industries attract you?
• What size company are you naturally drawn to?

Do some serious soul-searching to assess your genuine strengths and weaknesses.

• What do you consider to be your biggest strengths?
• What are your biggest weaknesses?
• What developmental opportunities might help you overcome those weaknesses?
• What skills are you most proud of?
• What skills would you most like to develop in your next position?
• How can you add value to an organization?

Ask at least five people who know you well what specific jobs, industries or companies they envision when they think of you. Jot down the responses and then look for overall themes. You may be surprised at what you learn about yourself. If your mom always says you could sell ice to the Eskimos, then maybe you should consider a career in sales. If pals constantly call you for advice when they are shopping for the perfect gift, you might think about being a buyer or merchandiser for a retail store.

Figuring out what you don't want is just as important as knowing what you do want. Answer these questions to assess what tasks, job functions and companies you want to avoid.

• What were your least favorite aspects of the jobs you've had?
• What were your least favorite subjects at school?
• What tasks would you want to avoid doing at all costs?

Are you a multi-tasked individual who enjoys being in the eye of a tornado or do you prefer a calm environment doing one thing at a time in a predictable manner? In what environments (large, small, rural, urban, loud, quiet) do you produce your best work and feel the happiest?

Once you've developed a better sense of what you like and don't like, make a list of the specific careers you'd like to explore. Include the dream job(s) you listed at the beginning of this exercise, then add new ones you've discovered through the process. Try to put the jobs in order of your interest level, given what you know about them already. Then use this list, and all of the above activities, as a guideline for résumé writing, networking, and interviewing.