Career Assessment & Empowerment

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Before you can figure out what job is right for you, you need to figure out who you are. Yes, it’s a big question but the more you analyze and assess now, the more happiness and success you’ll have down the road.

There are thousands of resources to help you dig down to find who you are and what you’re passionate about. Below is a list of links to help you get started on your journey. Once you’ve found your work, we’ll help you find your way to work. Visit our Commute page for more ideas!

The Balance How to Use Self-Assessment Tools to Choose a Career
Free Career Test Find the right career for you
The Job Hunter’s Bible Everything about finding a job
Career Coaching A coach for your career
Strong Interest Inventory Know your talents before making any career change
Myers-Briggs Assessment Personality Testing
16 Personalities Test Popular personality test focused on the “Big Five” traits
Berke Assessment Employment Personality Test
Who Am I? Quiz Visual Personality Test
IHHP EQ Test Emotional Intelligence Test
StrengthsFinder Discover what makes you stand out
Career Workshops Free resume and career coaching at SF Main Library

Assess and Build Your Skills

Today’s job market requires today’s skills. You don’t need a Master’s, or even a college degree, although if you are considering going back to school, education opens up many doors. But what you will need is a practical approach to your skills – are they realistic to the job within your sights? Your ability to read, write, and communicate clearly is not only crucial; it will give you the edge when it comes to getting the coveted second interview, and ultimately the job offer.

Reading, Writing, and Communication Skills

Free Spelling Worksheets – learn, refine, test yourself!
Spelling City More spelling help
Dictionary Find your words and learn their meaning

Computer Skills

Local Technology Help Bay Area Network of Computer Resources
Free Tutorials Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint
Free Typing Games Have fun learning the keyboard!
Learn the Keyboard More keyboarding experience
Test Your Typing Speed Important to know

Cover Letters and Resumes

There are four essential elements to good resumes and cover letters: be concise, be truthful, be appropriate, and be clear. Let a little of your personality shine through but don’t forget that “less is always more”. Before you sit down and write your resume and corresponding cover letter, remember that the resume should be factual about you, “the product”, and a cover letter should be intriguing enough to open the door.

Resume Hints:

  • Keep it organized, brief and factual: emphasize appropriate accomplishments, but do not change titles, salary, period of employment, supervisor information.
  • Goals/Objectives are tough to describe in a resume – it’s better to have goals clearly in mind and cover this ground in the interview.
  • References should be available on request.

Resume Resources

Cover Letter Hints:

  • Write respectfully. While it’s best to write to a specific person when submitting a cover letter, sometimes this information is hard to find. In cases like this, think broadly: “Dear Selection Panel”, “Dear Search Team”, or “Dear Interviewing Board” are options. The same applies for emails.
  • Do not list every task you’ve completed. Broad descriptions are better because they lead to a discussion of your transferable skills.
  • A brief statement talking about your ability to learn new things and acquire new skills is INVALUABLE.

Cover Letter Resources

Image Resources and Social Skills

Informational Interviews

Major Career Changes

Career Advancement

Returning to Work

Moving On

Retirement