MODULE 2: KNOWING YOURSELF KNOWING YOUR CAREER 1.

0 DESCRIPTION Knowing yourself is one of the most important tasks of your life. If you know who you are and what you want, you will have a better chance of figuring out how to accomplish your own success in your personal and professional life. Some young and fresh graduates face the difficulty of expressing themselves in written and oral communication. It seem that that they do not aware and realized the great potentials, abilities, qualities, competencies, values, attributes and traits within themselves that can be translated into words, phrases or sentences be it in written or spoken especially in preparing resume, cover letter and during job interview. In the process of hunting or securing a job, you must be able to identify the unique attributes of yourself that make you different from others. You must be able to sell or promote your strength in a manner that will impress the prospective employers and to choose you instead of others. Knowing yourself is the first step in the job search process. By knowing yourself in depth, you will be able to produce fundamental career related data about yourself, how to match those personal information with suitable positions and make yourself marketable. There are several methods that can be used to acquire correct information about yourself such as SWOT Analysis, personality test, self-assessment checklist, peer feedback, self-reflection and group works.

2.0 KEY CONTENT

a. Knowing yourself is the starting point for the job search process. b. Knowing yourself help you to better understand your special and unique attributes or

characteristic related to career development.

c. Knowing yourself include the process of identifying and analyzing your strength in term of

skills, interests, values, abilities, qualities, traits, passions and occupation you are considering. d. The information gathered will be useful in promoting and making you marketable.
e. Your current self description will determine the level of competency from highly

competent, competent and less competent.

f. It will help you identify what you are good at and the skills you might like to develop

further. g. There are several approaches and methods that can be utilize in knowing yourself better.

3.0 OBJECTIVES
a. To enable participants identify their unique attributes and strength in career related skills

(marketable skills).
b. To increase self confidence in promoting oneself in the job market. c. To enhance participants understanding in matching their skills and job requirements. d. To help participants familiar with the correct techniques of knowing yourself.

4.0 TARGET GROUP Final year participants (20 persons per group)

5.0 ACTIVITY 5.1 ACTIVITY 1 : ICEBREAKING Learning outcomes At the end of this activity, participants are able to:
a. Get familiar with the background of the group members. b. Develop interaction skills. c. Demonstrate their verbal and non-verbal communication skills. d. Know them better by knowing others.

Methodology Individual work Individual presentation Discussion

Duration Tools

30 minutes

Handout 1 Pen or Pencil

Procedures a. Facilitator introduces himself to build up rapport with the group members.
b. Facilitator distributes Handout 1 to every group members. c. Participants are required to complete the Handout 1 in 3 minutes. d. Select any participants or ask for volunteer to introduce himself based on the

information in Handout 1. The allocated time for presentation is 2 minutes.

e. The same exercise is followed by other participants. f. Facilitator asks the participants in general to give feedback on any aspects of this

activity. g. Facilitator gives feedback and relates the lessons gained from this activity to the importance of knowing you and build up rapport in interpersonal relationship. Summary a. To make yourself known to others, you have to introduce yourself.
b. When two people are in rapport, they will have a better connection (Law of

Connection). c. Each person has his own strength. The way he demonstrates his strength will determine the success in influencing others. Handout/Attachment

Handout 1: Who Am I You are asked to introduce yourself to a group of Human Resources Managers from various companies that have shown interest to hire you in their company to fill the vacant position. Please introduce yourself based on the following criteria;

Name Education Interest Special Skills

: . : . : . : ( Please complete any of the following sentences or you

may construct your own sentences to describe your special skills)

a. I am good at .. b. I am capable of . c. I am highly competent in . d. .

5.2 ACTIVITY 2 : ANALYZING YOUR SKILLS

Learning outcomes At the end of this activity, participants should be able to:
a. Identify their special marketable skills. b. Enhance and improve their competencies in job search.

c. Build up their self-confidence and self-esteem. Methodology Individual work Individual presentation Discussion

Duration Tools Handout 2 Pen/Pencil 1 hour

Procedures
a. Facilitator to distribute Handout 2 to all participants. b. Participants are given 3 minutes to complete the table in Handout 2. c. Each participant has to select the most competent skill and present to the group. d. Facilitator asks the participants in general to give feedback on any aspects of this

activity. e. Facilitator gives feedback and relates the lessons gained from this activity to the importance of knowing you and build up rapport in interpersonal relationship. Summary 1. To know yourself, you have to identify your special skills in order to prepare a good resume and to perform during job interview.
2. Knowing yourself alone is not enough, you must be able to express your strength in

an appealing manner to the prospective employer 3. The strength that you emphasis must be presented in an appealing and impressive manner. Handout/Attachment

Handout 2: Analyzing Your Skill Tick ( / ) the level of competency ( C : Competent, M: Medium, L: Low) in the appropriate column and state your involvement in any activity or position that you hold in any club/society in column remarks. Upon completing this table, underline the most competent skill that you would like to present to the group. Level of Competency No 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. Types of Skills Leadership Communication Teamwork Entrepreneurship Self confidence Critical thinking / Problem solving Interpersonal Responsibility Intelligent Creative thinking Ethics and values ICT skill Management Networking Time management Motivation Flexibility Self starter/Initiative C M L

Remarks (evidence)

5.3 ACTIVITY 3 : IDENTIFYING YOUR INTEREST

Learning outcomes

At the end of this activity, participants should be able to:

a. Identify the special marketable interests for their career development. b. Improve their competency towards a better career choice.

c. Determine their career inclination.

Methodology

Individual work Individual presentation Questionnaires

Duration

30 minute

Tools

Handout 3 Pen or Pencil

Procedures
a. Facilitator distributes Handout 3 to all participants. b. Participants are given 5 minutes to complete the table in Handout 3.

c. Each participant has to circle the interest based on the scale given.
d. Each participant has to pick the top three (3) interests that they enjoy using.

e. Facilitator asks each participant to present their main interests to the group.
f. Facilitator asks the participants in general to give feedback on any aspects of this

activity. g. Facilitator gives feedback and relates the lessons gained from this activity to the importance of knowing you and build up rapport in interpersonal relationship.

Summary
a. Knowing your interest towards a particular job and its working environment is

important in making the right choice to the position that suits you best. b. Your interest will determine your passion, happiness, motivation and selffulfillment in the work place.

Handout/Attachment

Handout 3: Identifying Your Interest

IDENTIFYING YOUR INTEREST Using the following scale, rank how strong your interest is in each skill listed below. 1- Do Not Like Using 2- Neutral 3- Enjoy Using

WORKING WITH DATA a. b c. d. e. a. b. c. d. e. a. b. c. d. e. a. b. c. d. e. analyze budget calculate compile compute role-play compose decorate design / sketch direct coach / mentor counsel entertain inspire mediate assemble build invent grow plants inspect / test 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 3 3 3 3 3 f. interpret g. forecasting h. organize i. research j. inventory WORKING WITH IDEAS 3 f. edit 3 g. innovative 3 h. promote 3 i. speak 3 j. report / write WORKING WITH PEOPLE 3 f. negotiate 3 g. teach/train 3 h. Provide/ therapy 3 i. serve others 3 j. supervise WORKING WITH THINGS 3 3 3 3 3 f. g. h. i. j. integrate operate repair tending animals produce 1 1 1 1 1 2 2 2 2 2 3 3 3 3 3 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3

Of the skill you have marked as a 3 (enjoy using), pick the top three that interest you the most and state your chosen career.

My top three interests and chosen career

No 1 2

My Top Three Interests

Chosen Career

Appendix

KNOWING YOURSELF AND YOUR CAREER

KEY CONCEPT

Knowing yourself is the starting point in job search process. It is a process self assessment. During a self assessment you gather information about yourself in order to make wellinformed career decision that will affect your future happiness, satisfaction and success in your chosen career. A self assessment should include a look at the following: values, interests, personality, and skills.

Values: the things that are important to you, like achievement, financial security, loyalty, helping people, status, and autonomy. A career that your value has a high impact on your feeling and satisfaction.

Interests: what you enjoy doing, i.e. work with data, ideas, people or things, be outdoors, indoors, etc.

Skills: the activities you are good at, hard skill/technical: your specialized field of study and soft skill: such as leadership, communication, teamwork, critical thinking and entrepreneurship.

Personality: a person's individual traits, motivational drives, needs, and attitudes. Spend some time here and take one or more of the following self-assessment tests to give you a better idea of your attitudes and interests as they relate to possible career choices

THE PURPOSE OF KNOWING YOURSELF

Enable you to identify your unique skills, interests, values, qualities that can direct you towards career development. To help you prepare a sound personal branding To assist you gather the well-informed information in producing good resume and cover letter. To make yourself more marketable and competitive during job interview. To suit your interest with the working ethics, culture and environments SKILLS THAT EMPLOYERS DEMAND MOST

In a 2005 survey conducted by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), employers rated the most desired employee skills on a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 being extremely important.Here are the skills most in demand. ( A. Bronwyn Llewellyn, 2007),

Skill Communication Teamwork Analytical Interpersonal Computer

Rating (1-5) 4.7 4.6 4.4 4.4 4.3

Organizational Leadership

4.1 4.0

A January 2006 survey conducted by Manpower , Inc. polled 33,000 employers across twenty-three countries found that 40 % expressed difficulty in filling positions due to lack of suitable talent. The numbers are higher for Mexico (78 %), Canada (66%) and Japan (58 %). In early 2006, the Business Council of Australia issued a report decrying the lack of communication, entrepreneurial and problem solving skills among that countrys university graduates. ( A. Bronwyn Llewellyn, 2007), METHODS OF KNOWING YOURSELF

There are several ways of knowing yourself, such as;

SWOT Analysis Personality test ( also available online ) Self-Assessment checklist Peer feedback Self-reflection Group work Career Interest Tests (also available online)

REFERENCES

1. A. Bronwyn Llewellyn and Robin Holt, The everything career tests book. Adam media, Avon, Massachusetts, 2007. 2. Amy Solomon, et. al. Job search success, Thomson Delmar Learning, Australia, 2007.
3. Career Planning Job Search, http://www.soicc.state.nc.us/soicc/planning/c1.htm 4. CareerTest.net, http://www.careertest.net

5. Crescentia Morais, JobStreet.com Career Guide, Kanyin Publication, Sungai Buluh, 2008
6. Gradmalaysia, http://www.gradmalaysia.com 7. JobMarket, http://www.jobmarket.com.my 8. JobsMalaysia, http://www.jobsmalaysia.gov.my 9. JobShop UiTM, http://www.jobshop.uitm.edu.my 10. JobStreet.com Malaysia, http://www.jobstreet.com.my 11. Jobs in Malaysia, http://www.jobsdb.com.my/Malaysia 12. LiveCareer, http://www.lifecareer.com

13. Mohamad Shatar Sabran, et. al. Peneraju Kecemerlangan Modan Insan, ZH Publishing House, Kuala Lumpur, 2009. 14. Ranjit Singh Malhi and A Wahab Bakar, Your Dream Job: How to Get It and Excel, TQM Consultants Sdn Bhd, Kuala Lumpur, 2008.
15. Ranjit Singh Malhi, Make Yourself Employable, TQM Consultants Sdn Bhd,

Kuala Lumpur, 2009.

16. UNMC Career Advisory, http://www.nottingham.edu.my/career/index

17. Queendom the land of test, http://www.queendom.com

Module writer Knowing yourself, knowing your career

No 1.

Name Tn. Haji Mohamed Soder Rahmad (Head) Pn. Azah A Rahman En. Mohd. Zikrul Hakim Noor Ir. Abdul Halim Abdul Ghani En. Mohd Zaimi Zakaria

Designation Counselor

Contact / email 012-6503645 soder136@salam.uitm.edu.my 019-3094019 azaha743@salam.uitm.edu.my 019-3592816 mzhakim@salam.uitm.edu.my 019-3859557 halim5680@salam.uitm.edu.my 012-3126745 mzaimi@salam.uitm.edu.my 012-2993045

2.

Counselor

3.

Lecturer

4.

Lecturer

5.

Executive Officer

6.

Cik Nur Ain Achim

Lecturer

ainachim@puncakalam.uitm.e du.my