What’s My Next Move?

Exploring the Labor Market to find your new career

WorkSource Pierce

1. Understand what online resources are available

2. Assess your own interests and skills levels and match them to occupations

3. Use online labor market tools to research viable career options for your local area

4. Explore retraining options if applicable

5. Research career options in greater depth to make an informed career decision

At the end of this presentation, you will be able to:

Objectives

The Job Search Strategy

Do You Know Where

You’re Going?

Planning a Job Search Strategy

You are unique. So is your job search.

1. Know yourself

2. Identify your needs

3. Research labor market info

4. Make a list

5. Narrow the results

Targeting Your Next Career

5-step process:

1. Know Yourself

Skills / Interest Assessments

Where Are You Now?

What Can An Assessment Tell You? • Find out about specific occupations that are a

good match for your unique blend of skills.

• Decide whether you need more training or experience in an area.

• Reflect on where you want to take your career, and where you want your career to take you.

• Prepare a comprehensive personal budget – “fair salary range”

• Know what is your “bare bones requirement” –TheCalculator.org

• Does your researched occupation’s salary numbers compare with your requirements?

2. Know Your Needs

3. Career Exploration

Now that you have some occupations that might fit your interests, find out more about them through O*Net Online.

Things to look for

• Is the expected salary level within your range?

• Is the occupation in demand?

• Is retraining needed?

4. Make a List of Possibilities

• Include all occupations that meet your needs, whether or not retraining is needed

• Prioritize

Is Retraining Required?

• Career Bridge at http://careerbridge.wa.gov

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Attend a WorkSource General Orientation or

Visit www.workforce-central.org/GeneralOrientation

5. Narrow the Results

Informational Interviewing

• Provides valuable information about the daily work life of a specific company or career field.

• Allows you to investigate the occupation you’re researching by interviewing someone actually doing the job.

Need Additional Help?

Contact me! Kim Myers

KMyers@esd.wa.gov