The SkillScan system provides useful resources for all phases of the career search from initial assessment to career exploration to skill development to self-promotion phase of the job search.

Assess

Use the Assessment Exercises below in conjunction with the SkillScan transferable skills assessment system and complete the Career Profile to create a holistic view of career preferences.

Note: The following Assessment Exercises are copyrighted by the author and are reproducible for use by an individual or by a counselor for use with his/her clients when used in conjunction with a SkillScan Assessment. No part of these exercises may be translated, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, recording or otherwise, without prior written permission of Lesah Beckhusen, Owner of SkillScan.

Assessment Exercises

• Chart of Skill Sets — a guide for identifying skill sets.
• Interests Assessment — a quick exercise based on Holland’s general occupational themes to identify interest themes.
• Discovering your Interests — an exercise for identifying specific patterns of interests.
• Values Assessment Exercise — a tool for clarifying activity-based values and integrating values with preferred SkillScan skills.
• Ideal Work Environment — an exercise to generate and prioritize ideal work elements.
• Personality Traits — an exercise to clarify personal qualities.
• Career Profile — a template for recording skills and preferences to formulate a comprehensive profile.

Explore

Useful educational and career information websites for college and career planning

College Planning

• Petersons.com — A comprehensive education resource with information about colleges, test preparation and career exploration.
• College Net.com — College search, applications and scholarships.
• Fastweb.com — A site devoted to identifying scholarships, colleges, internships and jobs.

Careers

• UC Berkeley Career Center: Career Exploration Resources — An extensive database of occupational information.
• Job Star — A California-based source of career and job search information.
• Occupational Outlook Handbook — Bureau of Labor Statistics site for exploring occupations.
• O*Net OnLine — The nation’s primary source of occupational information.
• Skill Sets and Suggested Career Options — lists of career options that align with each of the 18 Skill Sets.

Develop

A variety of helpful services and resources for job seekers.

• Local College Career Center — College career centers often provide the following resources: career and academic counseling, career and life planning courses, a career library, internship and employment resources, and alumni programs.
• Local One-Stop Career Centers — Assist individuals with career information, employment and career management.
• Expanded List of Skill Sets and Development Activities — lists of practical development ideas for planning development steps that align with each of the 18 Skill Sets.

Promote

Sites to help individuals communicate their skills and preferences in resumes, cover letters and interviews.

• Monster.com — resources for getting a job including resume and interview help.
• Job Star: California's Job Search Guide — Gives quick overviews on resumes, cover letters, and interviewing.
• Susan Ireland Resumes — numerous resume samples and tips on writing your resume.
• Quintessential Careers — a leading provider of career advice – helpful information on interviewing.