Abilities…

It should be pretty obvious, but if you don’t have the ability to DO the tasks involved in a job, you probably shouldn’t be doing it!
(and you probably would not have got the job in the first place)

However, can you think of other reasons why it would be helpful to think about your abilities when choosing a career?

& Interests

Like abilities, interests can also play a big part in helping you choose, and be successful in your career.

Can you think of any reasons why this is so?

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Can you work out what your special abilities are?

Think of all the sorts of tasks you might do in a week…

• think very carefully about what each task involves
  
• and write down exactly what it is you are able to do well.
  
• and write down the things you also struggle with!

You need to know:

• what your special abilities are
  
• what abilities are required to do the jobs you have in mind, and
  
• whether you have, or can develop, these required abilities.

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Most people find it really easy to say what things they are NOT interested in doing.

But it’s not so easy to list the things they really like doing!

Follow yourself through a normal day from when you first get up in the morning…

List all the things you normally do, under these headings:
– Things I Really Enjoy Doing
– Things I Find O.K.
– Things I Dislike Doing

Do you know WHY you like/dislike doing certain things?
Write down your reasons.

Do some of the things you like/dislike doing suggest to you any jobs which you could do, or maybe should not do? What?

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Knowing this info will help you a LOT in your career decision-making and in your job search and application!

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Completing these sentences should help your brain to get ticking over a little more…

I'm praised for .............................................
When I'm at home, I really enjoy ............................
I'm interested in collecting ................................
My favourite hobby is .......................................
I'd like to write a book about ..............................
The thing I like most about weekends is .....................
My best Mastermind topic would be ...........................
With my hands I'm good at ...................................
I help at home by ...........................................
At school I was at my best in ...............................
I'm good at organising ......................................
School is  ..................................................
I can best express the way I feel by ........................
When dealing with people, I'm ...............................
The best way of filling in my spare time is by ..............
I like reading about ........................................
I think I'm really terrific at ..............................
The subject I would most like to teach is ...................
At sport, I'm ...............................................
The most enjoyable thing I have ever done was when ..........

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ABILITIES RATINGS

Try to develop an image of your skills, talents, and your weaknesses, by rating your abilities in each category.

After you have done this, ask a friend to rate how they see you. Then compare results. You might be surprised 🙂

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INTERESTS RATINGS

It’s the same idea again…

This time, try to develop an image of what you like and dislike doing by rating your interest in certain things.

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Here We Go..

Move on to the Your ABILITIES worksheet!

This one’s gonna be lots of FUN 🙂

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BACK to Choosing a Career index.