Before even thinking about developing a job search plan, you should identify the guiding beliefs and personal values that form who you are.
Why? Because personal values determine how you talk to yourself, and self-talk causes you to act a certain way.
Discovering how you talk to yourself through personal values will prepare you to take consistent action in a job search. Here’s what to do:
- Using note cards, prepare a draft of your most important values by describing the things that are important to you. Write one thought per each note card.
- Think about the deep-rooted beliefs you hold dear and the personal convictions that guide your decisions, actions, and relationships. Write these on note cards.
- Based on the information gathered in steps 1 and 2, narrow the list to your top three values.
- Share your values with several people who know you well. Search for examples where you acted in accordance with them and situations where your behavior was inconsistent.
