This is an excerpt from "Unlocking Opportunities: How to Find a Job With a Criminal Record, " a 38-page guidebook of expert advice and step-by-step instructions on navigating the employment landscape with a criminal record.
Before you start looking for a job, it’s smart to take a moment to think about yourself. This self-assessment is like taking stock of what you’re good at and where you could use a little improvement. It takes some time, but it will be well worth your efforts. It will help you with:
Understanding Your Strengths and Weaknesses
First off, self-assessment helps you see what you’re good at. Once you know your strengths, you can show them off when you’re applying for jobs. But it’s not just about what you’re good at. It also helps you spot areas where you could get better. Recognizing these weak spots gives you a chance to work on them, like learning new skills or getting more training. Fixing these weaknesses can make you a stronger candidate in the job market.
Boosting Your Confidence
Thinking about your achievements and skills can make you feel more confident, and confidence is key when you’re looking for a job. It helps you talk about yourself in interviews and make a good impression.
Finding the Right Jobs
When you know what skills you have, it will be easier to find jobs that match your experience.
Creating a Resume
Once you’ve thought about your skills and experience, it’s easier to put together a resume. A resume is like a snapshot of who you are and what you can do. By highlighting your strengths, you can make yourself look like a great candidate for the jobs you want.
Preparing for Interviews
Self-assessment also gets you ready for job interviews. When you know your strengths and weaknesses, you can answer questions better. You’ll sound more prepared and confident, which can impress employers.
To Do a Self-Assessment, Follow These Steps:
Write down the last five jobs you’ve had, including any jobs you held before, during, or after any period of incarceration, as well as any volunteer work, under-the-table work, or internships. For each job, create a list of:
The job duties you performed at each job. What did you do each day while at the job?
The hard skills you used in each job. Hard skills are actions or tasks you learn through training or hands-on experience. These skills are important for doing certain tasks in a job or profession. They are specific things you did, like using computer programs, operating machinery, using industrial equipment, electrical wiring, food safety and sanitation, and welding.
The soft skills you used in each job. Soft skills are basically people skills. They’re not about technical skills like using a computer or fixing things. Instead, they’re about how you get along with others, handle different situations, and control your feelings and actions at work. Unlike hard skills, which are clear-cut and easy to measure, soft skills are more about how you act and communicate. They’re important for doing well in all kinds of jobs and in your personal life too. Examples of soft skills include talking to people, working well in a team, solving problems, listening to instructions, and managing your time wisely.
Your accomplishments and achievements at each job. These could include projects you completed, targets you met, or recognition you received for your work performance.
If you have any formal education, certifications, or training, list them.
List the hard skills you learned.
List the soft skills you learned (if any).
List your accomplishments (if any).
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