Part
I
Using the Job-Match Grid
to Choose a Career
This book describes so many occupations—how can you choose the best job for you? This section is your answer! It can help you to identify the jobs where your abilities will be valued, and you can rule out jobs that have certain characteristics you would rather avoid. You will respond to a series of statements and use the Job-Match Grid to match your skills and preferences to the most appropriate jobs in this book.
So grab a pencil and get ready to mark up the following sections. Or, if someone else will be using this book, find a sheet of paper and get ready to take notes.
Thinking About Your Skills
Everybody knows that skills are important for getting and keeping a job. Employers expect you to list relevant skills on your resume. They ask about your skills in interviews. And they expect you to develop skills on the job so that you will remain productive as new technologies and new work situations emerge.
But maybe you haven’t thought about how closely skills are related to job satisfaction. For example, let’s say you have enough communication skills to hold a certain job where these skills are used heavily, but you wouldn’t really enjoy using them. In that case, this job probably would be a bad choice for you. You need to identify a job that will use the skills that you do enjoy using.
That’s why you need to take a few minutes to think about your skills: the ones you’re good at and the ones you like using. The checklists that follow can help you do this. On each of the seven skills checklists that follow, use numbers to indicate how much you agree with each statement:
3 = I strongly agree
2 = I agree
1 = There’s some truth to this
0 = This doesn’t apply to me
A note for those determined to work in the arts: Before you move on to the next skill, take a moment to decide whether working in some form of art is essential to you. Some people have exceptional talent and interest in a certain art form and are unhappy unless they are working in that art form—or until they have given their best shot at trying to break into it. If you are that kind of person, the total score shown above doesn’t really matter. In fact, you may have given a 3 to just one of the statements in this section, but if you care passionately about your art form, you should toss out ordinary arithmetic and change the total to 100.
Finding Your Skills on the Job-Match Grid
Okay, you’ve made a lot of progress so far. Now it’s time to review what you’ve said about skills so you can use these insights to sort through the jobs listed on the Job-Match Grid.
Look at your totals for the seven skills listed previously. Enter your totals in the left column on this scorecard:
Next, enter the rank of each skill in the right column—that is, the highest-scored skill gets ranked 1, the next-highest 2, and so forth. Important: Keep in mind that the numbers in the Total column are only a rough guideline. If you feel that a skill should be ranked higher or lower than its numerical total would suggest, go by your impressions rather than just by the numbers.
Now turn to the Job-Match Grid and find the columns for your #1-ranked and #2-ranked skills. Move down through the grid, going from page to page, and notice what symbols appear in those columns. If a row of the grid has a black circle (
) in both columns, circle the occupation name—or, if someone else will be using this book, jot down the name on a piece of paper. These occupations use a high level of both skills, or the skills are essential to these jobs.
Go through the Job-Match Grid a second time, looking at the column for your #3-ranked skill. If a job you have already circled has a black circle () or a bull’s-eye (
) in the column for your #3-ranked skill, put a check mark next to the occupation name. If none of your selected jobs has a black circle or a bull’s-eye in this column, look for a white circle (
) and mark these jobs with check marks.
A second note for those determined to work in the arts: If a particular art form is essential for you to work in, you almost certainly know which occupations involve that art form and which don’t. So not every job that has a black circle () in the “Artistic” column is going to interest you. Circle only the jobs that have a black circle in this column that are related to your art form (if you’re not sure, look at the description of the occupation in this book) and that also have a symbol of some kind (, , or ) in the column for your #2-ranked skill. As you circle each job, also give it a check mark, because there will be so few of them that you won’t need to go through the Job-Match Grid a second time. If you have a more general interest in the arts, follow the general instructions.
Your Hot List of Possible Career Matches
Now that you have made a first and second cut of the jobs on the Job-Match Grid, you can focus on the occupations that look most promising at this point. Write the names of the occupations that are both circled and checked:
__________________________________ ____________________________________
__________________________________ ____________________________________
__________________________________ ____________________________________
__________________________________ ____________________________________
__________________________________ ____________________________________
__________________________________ ____________________________________
__________________________________ ____________________________________
__________________________________ ____________________________________
This is your Hot List of occupations that you are going to explore in detail if they are not eliminated by certain important job-related factors that you’ll consider next.
Thinking About Other Job-Related Factors
Next, you need to consider four other job-related factors:
Economic sensitivity
Outdoor work
Physically demanding work
Hazardous conditions
Economic Sensitivity
You’ve read about how our nation’s economy has gone up and down over the years. When the economy is on an upswing, there are more job openings, but when it veers downward toward recession, jobs are harder to find.
Are you aware that these trends affect some occupations more than others? For example, during an economic upswing, people do more vacation traveling and businesses send more workers on business trips. This keeps travel agencies very busy, so they need to hire more travel agents. When the economy is going down, people cut back on their vacation travel, businesses tell their workers to use teleconferencing instead of business trips, and travel agents are not in demand. Some may be laid off, and people who want to enter this field may find very few openings. By contrast, most jobs in the health-care field are not sensitive to the economy, and automotive mechanics are just as busy as ever during economic slowdowns because people want to keep their old cars running.
So this issue of economic sensitivity (and its opposite, job security) is one that may affect which occupation you choose. Some people want to avoid economically sensitive occupations because they don’t want to risk losing their job (or having difficulty finding a job) during times of recession. Other people are willing to risk being in an economically sensitive occupation because they want to profit from the periods when both the economy and the occupation are booming.
If you answered “It doesn’t matter to me,” skip to the next section, “Outdoor Work.” Otherwise, turn back to the Job-Match Grid and find the column for “Economically Sensitive.”
If you answered “It’s not important, but I’d consider it,” see whether any of the jobs on your Hot List have a black circle () in this column. If so, cross them off and write an “E” next to them.
If you answered “It’s somewhat important to me,” see whether any of the jobs on your Hot List have a black circle () or a bull’s-eye () in this column. If so, cross them off and write an “E” next to them.
If you answered “It’s very important to me,” see whether any of the jobs on your Hot List have any symbol (, , or ) in this column. If so, cross them off and write an “E” next to them.
Outdoor Work
Some people prefer to work indoors in a climate-controlled setting, such as an office, a classroom, a factory floor, a laboratory, or a hospital room. Other people would rather work primarily in an outdoor setting, such as a forest, an athletic field, or a city street. And some would enjoy a job that alternates between indoor and outdoor activities.
If you answered “Either indoors or outdoors is okay with me,” skip to the next section, “Physically Demanding Work.” Otherwise, turn to the Job-Match Grid and find the column for “Outdoor Work.”
If you answered “It’s very important to me to work indoors,” see whether any of the jobs on your Hot List have any symbol (, , or ) in this column. If so, cross them off and write an “O” next to them.
If you answered “I’d prefer to work mostly indoors,” see whether any of the jobs on your Hot List have a black circle () in this column. If so, cross them off and write an “O” next to them.
If you answered “I’d prefer to work mostly outdoors,” see whether any of the jobs on your Hot List have no symbol—just a blank—in this column. If so, cross them off and write an “O” next to them. All the jobs remaining on your Hot List should have some kind of symbol (, , or ) in this column.
If you answered “It’s very important to me to work outdoors,” see whether any of the jobs on your Hot List have either no symbol or just a white circle () in this column. If so, cross them off and write an “O” next to them. All the jobs remaining on your Hot List should have either a black circle () or a bull’s-eye () in this column.
Physically Demanding Work
Jobs vary by how much muscle power they require you to use. Some jobs require a lot of lifting heavy loads, standing for long times, climbing, or stooping. On other jobs, the heaviest thing you lift is a notebook or telephone hand-set, and most of the time you are sitting. Still other jobs require only a moderate amount of physical exertion.
If you answered “I don’t care whether my work requires heavy or light physical exertion,” skip to the next section, “Hazardous Conditions.” Otherwise, turn to the Job-Match Grid and find the column for “Physically Demanding Work.”
If you answered “I want my work to require only light physical exertion,” see whether any of the jobs on your Hot List have any symbol (, , or ) in this column. If so, cross them off and write a “P” next to them.
If you answered “I want my work to require no more than occasional moderate physical exertion,” see whether any of the jobs on your Hot List have either a black circle () or a bull’s-eye () in this column. If so, cross them off and write a “P” next to them.
If you answered “I want my work to require moderate physical exertion, with occasional heavy exertion,” see whether any of the jobs on your Hot List have either a black circle (), a white circle (), or no symbol in this column. If so, cross them off and write a “P” next to them. All the jobs remaining on your Hot List should have a bull’s-eye () in this column.
If you answered “I want my work to require a lot of heavy physical exertion,” see whether any of the jobs on your Hot List have either no symbol or just a white circle () or a bull’s-eye () in this column. If so, cross them off and write a “P” next to them. All the jobs remaining on your Hot List should have a black circle () in this column.
Hazardous Conditions
Every day about 9,000 Americans sustain a disabling injury on the job. Many workers have jobs that require them to deal with hazardous conditions, such as heat, noise, radiation, germs, toxins, or dangerous machinery. These workers need to wear protective clothing or follow safety procedures to avoid injury.
If you answered “I am willing to accept some major workplace hazards,” skip to the section “Geographically Concentrated Jobs.” Otherwise, turn to the Job-Match Grid and find the column for “Hazardous Conditions.”
If you answered “I want hazardous workplace conditions to be very unlikely,” see whether any of the jobs on your Hot List have any symbol (, , or ) in this column. If so, cross them off and write an “H” next to them.
If you answered “I want hazardous conditions to be unlikely or minor,” see whether any of the jobs on your Hot List have a black circle () in this column. If so, cross them off and write an “H” next to them.
If Every Job on Your Hot List Is Now Crossed Off
It’s possible that you have crossed off all the occupations on your Hot List. If so, consider these two options:
You may want to relax some of your requirements. Maybe you were too hasty in crossing off some of the jobs. Take another look at the four job-related factors and decide whether you could accept work that doesn’t meet the requirements you set previously—for example, work that is not as much indoors or outdoors as you specified. If you change your mind now, you can tell by the letters in the margin which jobs you crossed off for which reasons.
You may want to add to your Hot List by considering additional skills. So far you have considered only occupations that involve your top three skills. You may want to add jobs that have a black circle () or a bull’s-eye () in the column for your #4-ranked skill and possibly for your #5-ranked skill. If you do add any jobs, be sure to repeat your review of the four job-related factors.
Evaluating Occupations Described in This Book
You are now ready to make the jump from the checklists to the detailed information about jobs in this book. The first detailed issue you need to consider is whether you will be able to find work in your area or have to relocate.
Geographically Concentrated Jobs
Turn to the Job-Match Grid one more time and find the column for “Geographically Concentrated.” Look at all the occupations on your Hot List that haven’t been crossed off. If there is a symbol in this column, especially a bull’s-eye () or a black circle (), it means that employment for this occupation tends to be concentrated in certain geographic areas. For example, most acting jobs are found in big cities because that’s where you’ll find most theaters, TV studios, and movie studios. Most water transportation jobs are found on the coasts and beside major lakes and rivers.
If a symbol shows that a Hot List occupation is geographically concentrated, the location of the jobs may be obvious, as in the examples of acting and water transportation. If it’s not clear to you where the jobs may be found, find the occupation in “The Job Descriptions” section and look for the facts under the heading “Employment” in the description. Once you understand where most of the jobs are, you have to make some decisions:
Are most of the job openings in a geographic location where I am now or would enjoy living? If you answered “yes” to this question, repeat this exercise for all the other occupations still on your Hot List. Then jump to the next heading, “Nature of the Work.” If you answered “no,” proceed to the next bulleted question.
If most of the job openings are in a distant place where I don’t want to relocate, am I willing to take a chance and hope to be one of the few workers who get hired in an uncommon location? If you answered “yes,” take a good look at the Job Outlook information in the job description. If the outlook for the occupation is very good and if you expect to have some of the advantages mentioned there (such as the right degree, in some cases), taking a chance on being hired in an unusual location may be a reasonable decision. On the other hand, if the outlook is only so-so or not good and if you have no special qualifications, you probably are setting yourself up for disappointment. You should seriously consider changing your mind about this decision. At least speak to people in your area who are knowledgeable about the occupation to determine whether you have any chance of success. If you answered “no”—you are not willing to take a chance—cross off this occupation and write a “G” next to it. (If you now have no jobs left on your Hot List, see the previous section titled “If Every Job on Your Hot List Is Now Crossed Off.”)
Nature of the Work
When you read the job description for an occupation on your Hot List, you will see that the “Nature of the Work” section discusses what workers do on the job, what tools and equipment they use, and how closely they are supervised. Keep in mind that this is an overview of a diverse collection of workers, and in fact few workers perform the full set of tasks itemized here. In fact, in many cases the work force covered by the job description is so diverse that it actually divides into several occupational specialties, which are italicized.
Here are some things to think about as you read this section:
Note the kinds of problems, materials, and tools you will encounter on the job. Are these are a good match for your interests?
Also note the work activities mentioned here. Do you think they will be rewarding? Are there many that stand out as unpleasant or boring?
The Work Environment section identifies the typical hours worked, the workplace environment (both physical and psychological), physical activities and susceptibility to injury, special equipment, and the extent of travel required. If conditions vary between the occupational specialties, that is mentioned here. Here are some things to look for in the Work Environment section:
If you have a disability, note the physical requirements that are mentioned here and consider whether you can meet these requirements with or without suitable accommodations.
If you’re bothered by conditions such as heights, stress, or a cramped workspace, see whether this section mentions any conditions that would discourage you.
Note what this section says about the work schedule and the need for travel, if any. This information may be good to know if you have pressing family responsibilities or, on the other hand, a desire for unusual hours or travel.
If you find a working condition that bothers you, be sure to check the wording to see whether it always applies to the occupation or whether it only may apply. Even if it seems to be a condition that you cannot avoid, find out for sure by talking to people in the occupation or educators who teach related courses. Maybe you can carve out a niche that avoids the unappealing working condition.
Training, Other Qualifications, and Advancement
In the “Training, Other Qualifications, and Advancement” section, you can see how to prepare for the occupation and how to advance in it. It identifies the significant entry routes—those that are most popular and that are preferred by employers. It mentions any licensure or certification that may be necessary for entry or advancement. It also identifies the particular skills, aptitudes, and work habits that employers value. Look for these topics in this section:
Compare the entry requirements to your background and to the educational and training opportunities that are available to you. Be sure to consider nontraditional and informal entry routes, if any are possible, as well as the formal routes. Ask yourself, Am I willing to get the additional education or training that will be necessary? Do I have the time, money, ability, interest, and commitment?
Maybe you’re already partway down the road to job entry. In general, you should try to use your previous education, training, and work experience rather than abandon it. Look for specifics that are already on your resume—educational accomplishments, skills, work habits—that will meet employers’ expectations. If you have some of these qualifications already, this occupation may be a better career choice than some others.
Employment
The “Employment” section in the job description reports how many jobs the occupation currently provides, the industries that provide the most jobs, and the number or proportion of self-employed or part-time workers in the occupation, if significant. In this section, you’ll want to pay attention to these facts:
Note the industries that provide most of the employment for the occupation. This knowledge can help you identify contacts who can tell you more about the work, and later it can help in your job hunting.
If you’re interested in self-employment or part-time work, see whether these work arrangements are mentioned here.
Job Outlook
The “Job Outlook” section describes the economic forces that will affect future employment in the occupation. Here are some things to look for in this section:
The information here can help you identify occupations with a good job outlook so that you will have a better-than-average chance of finding work. Be alert for any mention of an advantage that you may have over other job seekers (for example, a college degree) or any other factor that might make your chances better or worse.
If you are highly motivated and highly qualified for a particular occupation, don’t be discouraged by a bad employment outlook. Job openings occur even in shrinking or overcrowded occupations, and with exceptional talent or good personal connections, you may go on to great success.
These projections are the most definitive ones available, but they are not foolproof and apply only to a 10-year time span. No matter what occupation you choose, you will need to adapt to changes.
Projections Data
This section of the job description shows a table with projected figures for employment growth. Here are some things to think about when you read this table:
Notice that the columns headed “Change 2008–2018” show both the number of workers (gained or lost) and a percentage figure. You need to consider both figures. For example, an occupation with a very small workforce will not create many job openings even though it may be growing fast.
For many occupations, this table features two or more rows showing the projections data for various career specializations. By comparing the figures on different rows, you may identify which specializations are expected to grow fastest and create the most job openings.
Earnings
The “Earnings” section discusses the wages for the occupation. Here are some things to keep in mind:
The wage figures are national averages. Actual wages in your geographic region may be considerably higher or lower. Also, an average figure means that half of the workers earn more and half earn less, and the actual salary any one worker earns can vary greatly from that average.
Remember to consider all the pluses and minuses of the job. Not every day of the work week is payday, so make your choice based on the whole occupation, not just the paycheck.
Related Occupations
The “Related Occupations” section identifies occupations that are similar to the one featured in the job description in terms of tasks, interests, skills, education, or training. You may find this section interesting for these reasons:
If you’re interested in an occupation but not strongly committed to pursuing it, this section may suggest another occupation with similar rewards that may turn out to be a better fit. Try to research these related occupations, but keep in mind that they may not all be included in this book.
You may want to choose one of these occupations as your Plan B goal if your original goal should not work out. In that case, it helps to identify an occupation that involves similar kinds of problems and work settings but requires less education or training.
Sources of Additional Information
This section in each job description lists several sources and resources you can turn to for more information about the occupation. Try to consult at least some of these sources. This book should be only the beginning of your career decision-making process. You need more detailed information from several viewpoints to make an informed decision.
Don’t rely entirely on the Web sites listed here. You especially need to talk to and observe individual workers to learn what their workdays are like, what the workers enjoy and dislike about the job, how they got hired, and what effects the job has had on other aspects of their lives. Maybe you can make contact with local workers through the local chapter of an organization listed here.
Narrowing Down Your Choices
The information in the job descriptions should help you cross more jobs off your Hot List. And what you learn by turning to other resources should help you narrow down your Hot List jobs to a few promising choices and maybe one best bet. Here are some final considerations: Have I talked to people who are actually doing this work? Am I fully aware of the pluses and minuses of this job? If there are aspects of the job that I don’t like, how do I expect to avoid them or overcome them? If the odds of finding a job opening are not good, why do I expect to beat the odds? What is my Plan B goal if I lose interest in my original goal or don’t succeed at it?
The Job-Match Grid
The grid on the following pages provides information about the personal skills and job characteristics for occupations covered in this book. Use the directions and questions that start at the beginning of this section to help you get the most from this grid.
The following is what the symbols on the grid represent. If a job has no symbol in a column, it means that the skill or job characteristic is not important or relevant to the job.
Job-Match Grid
