{"id":325,"date":"2024-02-02T16:54:16","date_gmt":"2024-02-02T16:54:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sites.cardiff.ac.uk\/futures-online\/?page_id=325"},"modified":"2024-08-28T15:42:50","modified_gmt":"2024-08-28T14:42:50","slug":"developing-self-awareness","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/sites.cardiff.ac.uk\/studentfuturesplus\/home-page\/career-planning\/developing-self-awareness\/","title":{"rendered":"Developing self-awareness"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>At the heart of career planning is understanding your strengths, values and motivations &#8211; we call this your<strong> self-awareness<\/strong>. Ultimately you&#8217;re going to be more satisfied in a job that utilises your strengths and skills, reflects your values and provides a work environment that you&#8217;re going to enjoy and thrive in.<\/p>\n<p>The strategies below will help you to develop a clear perspective on who you are and what sort of career will suit you.<br \/>\n<div class=\"accordion accordion-accessible\"><div class=\"accordion-section\">\n        <h2 class=\"accordion-section-header-title collapsed\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#content-what-careers-would-suit-me-1\"\n        aria-expanded=\"false\"><svg class=\"icon icon-chevron-right\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 19.75 32\">\n    <title>Chevron right<\/title>\n    <path d=\"M6.13,28.28L18.41,16,6.13,3.72,9.84,0l16,16-16,16Z\" transform=\"translate(-6.13 0)\"><\/path>\n<\/svg> Take an online quiz <\/h2> <div class=\"accordion-section-body collapse \" id=\"content-what-careers-would-suit-me-1\"><p>A fun and interesting place to start is to complete an online profiling quiz. Essentially, you answer a bunch of questions about you and the clever algorithms in the background help to provide some potential career paths that might suit your personality and motivations.<\/p>\n<p>Below are some we would recommend experimenting with. They are all free and don't take very long to complete.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.graduatesfirst.com\/university-career-services\/cardiff\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Work Personality Questionnaire on Graduates First<\/a> - current Cardiff University students can access a work personality questionnaire on the platform, Graduates First. You just need to register with your Cardiff University email address<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.16personalities.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">16 Personalities<\/a> - identify your personality type and how this may affect your working life<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.prospects.ac.uk\/planner\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Prospects Career Planner<\/a> - matches you to jobs based on your skills, motivations and desires<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.123test.com\/personality-test\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">123 personality test<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.123test.com\/work-values-test\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">work values test<\/a> (free versions)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>It is important to note that these quizzes are designed to be idea generators, they are not an exact science and do not work for everyone. They may just help you consider some career options that you had never thought of before or reaffirm some of the ideas that you already had in mind.<\/p>\n<\/div> <\/div><div class=\"accordion-section\">\n        <h2 class=\"accordion-section-header-title collapsed\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#content-what-careers-would-suit-me-2\"\n        aria-expanded=\"false\"><svg class=\"icon icon-chevron-right\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 19.75 32\">\n    <title>Chevron right<\/title>\n    <path d=\"M6.13,28.28L18.41,16,6.13,3.72,9.84,0l16,16-16,16Z\" transform=\"translate(-6.13 0)\"><\/path>\n<\/svg> Ask others <\/h2> <div class=\"accordion-section-body collapse \" id=\"content-what-careers-would-suit-me-2\"><p>Ask people who know you well for their views on your skills and strengths. Sometimes we can struggle to identify what we are good at and getting perspective from people we trust can be a useful indicator of how others see us.<\/p>\n<p>For example, ask a few close friends or relatives what they think your three key strengths are. Are they similar or really different? What sort of careers would suit those strengths?<\/p>\n<\/div> <\/div><div class=\"accordion-section\">\n        <h2 class=\"accordion-section-header-title collapsed\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#content-what-careers-would-suit-me-3\"\n        aria-expanded=\"false\"><svg class=\"icon icon-chevron-right\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 19.75 32\">\n    <title>Chevron right<\/title>\n    <path d=\"M6.13,28.28L18.41,16,6.13,3.72,9.84,0l16,16-16,16Z\" transform=\"translate(-6.13 0)\"><\/path>\n<\/svg> Reflect<\/h2> <div class=\"accordion-section-body collapse \" id=\"content-what-careers-would-suit-me-3\"><p>Reflection is a skill you can develop through practise. Think about experiences you have had already, for example, coming to university, work experiences, hobbies, a part-time job, travelling. What have you enjoyed, and why? What haven't you enjoyed so much? Remember you are changing all the time, in response to new experiences, so continuing to reflect throughout your career is important.<\/p>\n<p>Reflection is also a key graduate level skill. Employers could ask you questions in an application form or at interview to gauge your reflective skills and self-awareness, for example 'tell us about a time when things didn't go to plan?' or 'what do you consider to be your key strengths?'<\/p>\n<\/div> <\/div><div class=\"accordion-section\">\n        <h2 class=\"accordion-section-header-title collapsed\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#content-what-careers-would-suit-me-4\"\n        aria-expanded=\"false\"><svg class=\"icon icon-chevron-right\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 19.75 32\">\n    <title>Chevron right<\/title>\n    <path d=\"M6.13,28.28L18.41,16,6.13,3.72,9.84,0l16,16-16,16Z\" transform=\"translate(-6.13 0)\"><\/path>\n<\/svg> Write down your unique selling points <\/h2> <div class=\"accordion-section-body collapse \" id=\"content-what-careers-would-suit-me-4\"><p>Think about what makes you stand out and the skills, attributes and qualities you have that would be of value to any employer. Physically write these down somewhere and add to them over time. We often don't spend enough time reflecting on what makes us unique, yet knowing this can have such a positive influence on our confidence and future focus.<\/p>\n<\/div> <\/div><div class=\"accordion-section\">\n        <h2 class=\"accordion-section-header-title collapsed\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#content-what-careers-would-suit-me-5\"\n        aria-expanded=\"false\"><svg class=\"icon icon-chevron-right\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 19.75 32\">\n    <title>Chevron right<\/title>\n    <path d=\"M6.13,28.28L18.41,16,6.13,3.72,9.84,0l16,16-16,16Z\" transform=\"translate(-6.13 0)\"><\/path>\n<\/svg> Book an appointment with a Careers Adviser <\/h2> <div class=\"accordion-section-body collapse \" id=\"content-what-careers-would-suit-me-5\"><p>You can book an appointment with a Careers Adviser through your <a href=\"https:\/\/cardiff.targetconnect.net\/unauth\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Student Futures Account<\/a> to help you develop your self-awareness. Careers Advisers are specially trained to ask questions which will help you reflect on your skills and values and what you want from your career.<\/p>\n<\/div> <\/div><\/div><\/p>\n<h4>How your values impact your career<\/h4>\n<p>Your values are elements of your life which you find personally important. They are core beliefs that guide you on how to conduct your life in a way that is meaningful and satisfying for you. They are often overlooked in career planning but knowing what work factors are valuable to you will help you find work you enjoy. Recognising and understanding your own values can guide your future career choices.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Identifying your core values<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>To identify your core values, review the list below and focus on six to ten common values that matter most to you. You might also try ranking them on a scale of importance from one to ten.<\/p>\n<div class=\"well\">Common values can include: Integrity, Respect, Excellence, Teamwork, Adaptability, Empowerment, Sustainability, Learning, Responsibility, Trust, Inclusivity, Accountability, Honesty, Compassion, Empathy, Equality, Innovation, Gratitude, Patience, Tolerance, Kindness, Independence, Balance, Generosity, Positivity, Resourcefulness, Self-discipline, Harmony, Authenticity, Purpose, Consistency, Justice, Mindfulness, Simplicity, Adventure, Caring, Resilience, Wisdom.<\/div>\n<p>It\u2019s a good idea to identify the values that are a \u2018must have\u2019 or a \u2018must not have\u2019. These values are your non-negotiables \u2013 they could determine whether you take a job, stay in a job or leave a job.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Career anchors<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Career anchors, introduced by Edgar Schein, are internal compasses which guide your career decisions. They reflect your true motivations and values and are the one thing which you won\u2019t sacrifice, even when faced with tough choices. Your values are likely to align with one or two of the eight themes included in the career anchors:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Technical\/functional competence &#8211; expertise and specialisation<\/li>\n<li>General management competence &#8211; problem-solving and managing others<\/li>\n<li>Autonomy\/independence &#8211; working under your own rules and pace<\/li>\n<li>Security\/stability &#8211; seeking stable, predictable work<\/li>\n<li>Entrepreneurial creativity &#8211; creating new products or services<\/li>\n<li>Service\/dedication to a cause &#8211; making a difference and helping others<\/li>\n<li>Pure challenge &#8211; seeking constant stimulation and overcoming obstacles<\/li>\n<li>Lifestyle &#8211; integrating career with personal life and seeking flexibility<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Reflect on your experiences, skills and competencies, as well as your values, in order to identify your career anchors. You can also <a href=\"https:\/\/blocksurvey.io\/templates\/self-assessments\/schein-career-anchors-test\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">take an online test<\/a> to help you.<\/p>\n<p>If you find that your career doesn\u2019t align with your values, it\u2019s important to identify which value is missing from your current role and consider if and how you could change it to include or incorporate the values that are most important to you.<\/p>\n \n\n                        <div class=\"alert alert-purple with-icon \">        \n                            <div class=\"alert-icon\">\n                    <svg class=\"icon\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\" viewBox=\"0 0 196 148\" shape-rendering=\"geometricPrecision\" text-rendering=\"geometricPrecision\"><g clip-rule=\"evenodd\"><path d=\"M37.5,-0.5c44,0,88,0,132,0c.283.78913.783,1.455796,1.5,2c.667,44,.667,88,0,132-10.418.987-20.918,1.32-31.5,1c.167-26.669,0-53.3354-.5-80-31.035,30.868-61.8682,61.868-92.5,93-.6667,0-1.3333,0-2,0-6.6307-7.132-13.4641-14.132-20.5-21-.6667-.667-.6667-1.333,0-2C54.8333,93.6667,85.6667,62.8333,116.5,32c-26.6646-.5-53.3313-.6666-80-.5-.3091-10.7483.0242-21.415,1-32Z\" opacity=\"0.967\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" fill=\"#fefffe\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\"\/><\/g><\/svg>                <\/div>\n            \n            <div class=\"alert-body\">            \n                <h3>Further resources<\/h3>                <p>Use the below resources to explore this topic further:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>The Academic Skills and Mentoring team at Cardiff University have produced an online tutorial on <a href=\"https:\/\/xerte.cardiff.ac.uk\/play_14271#page1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">reflective thinking and writing<\/a><\/li>\n<li>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mindtools.com\/af694e5\/scheins-career-anchors\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">MindTools website<\/a> overview of Edgar Schein's career anchors - these are 7 core values or drivers that motivate someone in work<\/li>\n<li>Watch a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=fPYHNPf5XpA\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">short video on how to identify your top 3 personal values<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div> \n\n    \n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Develop your self-awareness by identifying your strengths, values and motivations and the work environments you would most enjoy.","protected":false},"author":9374,"featured_media":783,"parent":282,"menu_order":2,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-325","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"meta_box":{"cu_accordion":"","cu_alert":"","cu_carousel":"","cu_tabs":"","cu_quote":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.cardiff.ac.uk\/studentfuturesplus\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/325","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.cardiff.ac.uk\/studentfuturesplus\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.cardiff.ac.uk\/studentfuturesplus\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.cardiff.ac.uk\/studentfuturesplus\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/9374"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.cardiff.ac.uk\/studentfuturesplus\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=325"}],"version-history":[{"count":24,"href":"https:\/\/sites.cardiff.ac.uk\/studentfuturesplus\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/325\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3072,"href":"https:\/\/sites.cardiff.ac.uk\/studentfuturesplus\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/325\/revisions\/3072"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.cardiff.ac.uk\/studentfuturesplus\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/282"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.cardiff.ac.uk\/studentfuturesplus\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/783"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.cardiff.ac.uk\/studentfuturesplus\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=325"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.cardiff.ac.uk\/studentfuturesplus\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=325"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.cardiff.ac.uk\/studentfuturesplus\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=325"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}