Next Step Career
Exploration
THIS HANDOUT…
Will ask you a series of questions that will help you define your skills and interests. From there,
a list of resources and steps follow to assist with your career change. Remember, no test can
provide you with the guaranteed answers about the career path to follow. By working through
the following questions, you can create goals that will allow you to make the most of your
potential!
The enclosed information was created by Chatham-Kent Employment Resource Centre staff for general information
only. For accurate, detailed and up to date information, consult with the actual service provider.
October 2010
NEXT STEP CAREER EXPLORATION
To fully examine your career change or exploration, consider all areas on this document.
Answer the questions, review a variety of resources and follow up with your next step as
best as you can.
QUESTIONS
RESOURCES
NEXT STEP
 See transferable skills document
 List all your skills attained through
(attached)
 Review work, volunteer and life
experiences
 Ask family and friends what they think
your skills are
work, volunteer work, life experiences
and talking with family and friends
 Check all transferable skills that apply
– refer to attached handout
Self Evaluation –
www.nextsteps.org
Complete on line
www.iccweb.com/perfect_career.htm
interest, values and  Career Cruising at the Chatham-Kent
personality tests
Public Libraries
 Print information and results obtained
What are my
current skills?
Include
transferable skills
Job match and
Career Exploration
 Review your answers from quizzes
Occupational
Research – on your
career interest
areas
 Complete informational interviews
 National Occupation Code. (NOC)
and assessments
 Begin to think of new possible career
areas
 Brainstorm ideas with family and
friends
 Write down all possible career ideas
www.hrsdc.gc.ca/noc
 Volunteer - KAVCO
 Job ads – newspapers, internet
 Network – family friends, potential
employers
 Wage surveys – Service Canada
Labour Market
Information
www.workingincanada.gc.ca
www.jobbank.gc.ca
from completing personality, values,
and interest assessments and quizzes
Narrow down your choices and list 3-5
career interest areas that you would
like to research further
1. ________________________
2. ________________________
3. ________________________
4. ________________________
5. ________________________
 See attached document on how to
complete informational interviews
 Talk with employers and individuals
currently working in that field
 Complete Occupation and Labour
Market research chart with information
from your sources
 Look for volunteer opportunities to gain
more information about your interest
area
Record labour market results on
Occupational and Labour Market
Research chart.
Educational and
Training Options
The enclosed information was created by Chatham-Kent Employment Resource Centre staff for general information
only. For accurate, detailed and up to date information, consult with the actual service provider.
October 2010
QUESTIONS
RESOURCES
NEXT STEP
Educational and
Training Options
continued
 Elearn.com (Online courses)
 Review and compare admission
http://www.elearnnetwork.ca/
 Adult Education Centre
http://www.lkdsb.net
 Ridgetown College,
http://www.ridgetownc.uoguelph.ca/
 Lambton College
http://www.lambton.on.ca/
 Private training providers - truck
driving, hair dressing, welding
 Apprenticeships
www.apprenticesearch.com
requirements, program length, costs,
location, certificate or diploma
 Look at full time, part time and online
learning opportunities
 Call or visit your local Apprenticeship
office
 Search online for related
apprenticeship information
Funding Options
 OSAP – Ontario Student Assistance
 Complete a budget to assist in
Program www.osap.gov.on.ca
 Ministry of Training and Colleges
www.edu.gov.on.ca
 Second Career
www.tcu.gov.on.ca/eng/secondcareer
 Line of credits
 Bank/student loans
 Loans – family or friends
determining funding needed for
schooling and training.
 Go online to OSAP and determine if
you would be eligible
 Research information on funding
available through the Ministry of
Training, Colleges and Universities i.e.
Second Career Program and Skills
training through Employment
Insurance (E.I.)
The Canadian Forces Recruiting
Centre Wednesday 9 am – 5 pm
280 Bloomfield Chatham Armoury
www.forces.ca
 Recruiters on site to answer questions
 Go to website and research career
Armed Forces
Small Business
Information
 Chatham Economic Development
Support
Mechanisms
 Family and friends
 Community support resources and
options further
 Visit your local economic development
Services – Small Business Centre
building and talk with a representative
519-351-7700, http://portal.chathamthat will help you to get started on your
kent.ca/SmallBusinessCentre/Pages/D business ideas.
efault.aspx
 Various websites offer grants and loan
 Community Futures Development
options for business owners
Corporation Chatham-Kent
 Attend a Self Employment Benefit
Blenheim 519-676-7775
session to gain valuable information
http://cfdcck.on.ca
from service providers in regards to
 Self Employment Benefit –
self employment
connection to Employment Insurance
http://www.tcu.gov.on.ca/eng/employe
es/selfEmployment.html
 http://www.bizpal.ca
 http://www.canadabusiness.ca/eng/
Do I have transportation?
Do I need day care?
supports offered through schools
The enclosed information was created by Chatham-Kent Employment Resource Centre staff for general information
only. For accurate, detailed and up to date information, consult with the actual service provider.
October 2010
NEXT STEP CAREER EXPLORATION
IDENTIFY YOUR TRANSFERABLE SKILLS
When you develop a skill or gain experience in one place and use what you have learned into
other employment you are using a TRANSFERABLE SKILL.
Transferable skills can come from several places: paid work, volunteering in your community,
education, hobbies or past-times including sports (leadership skills)
Check off or highlight your skills
Key skills
Hands-on
Skills
Data/
Information
Skills
Leadership
Skills
People Skills
Artistic /
Creative
Skills
Verbal and
Communication
Skills
Meet
deadlines
Assemble
kits
Be artistic
Clearly express
myself
Build or
repair
things
Arrange
meetings or
social
functions
Be competitive
when
necessary
Help and care
for others
Supervise
others
Manage
conflicts,
resolve issues
Write short
stories or
articles
Talk easily with
others
Solve
problems
Work well
with my
hands
Make
decisions
Counsel
people
Draw or
create other
art
Create and talk
about new ideas
Teach
others and
give clear
instructions
Operate
tools or
machinery
Make a
budget,
manage
money
Record facts,
classify
information by
date
Analyse data,
audit and
maintain
records
Check
information for
accuracy
Direct the
work of others
Be tactful and
diplomatic
Manage
people
Use
complex
equipment
Pay attention
to details
Solve
problems
Organize
and manage
projects
Speak in
public
Drive or
operate
vehicles
Inspect and
maintain
equipment
or vehicles
Investigate
Motivate
and clarify
people
results
Locate answers, Settle
gather information
disagreements
Accept
responsibility
Calculate and
compute
Plan daily
work or
special
events
Research and
write reports
Take inventory
Keep financial
records
Express
myself
through
music, poetry
or art
Interview people Design
posters, draw
cartoons and
illustrations
Be kind and
Perform and
understanding
act
Be a good
listener
Present
artistic ideas
Plan activities
and put them
into action
Take risks
when
necessary
Negotiate
Organize and
chair a
meeting
Show selfconfidence
Show patience
Dance,
create body
movement
Use
computers to
create
presentations
Design and
lay out web
pages
Achieve high
scores in
video games
Be outgoing
Be pleasant
and sociable
Design
presentations
Be inventive
Conduct research
in a library or on
Internet
Set up my own
network of experts
or helpers
Be logical
Speak in public
Write clear and
concise reports
Work well with
others
The enclosed information was created by Chatham-Kent Employment Resource Centre staff for general information
only. For accurate, detailed and up to date information, consult with the actual service provider.
October 2010
NEXT STEP CAREER EXPLORATION
INFORMATIONAL INTERVIEWS
Informational Interviews are more of a networking tool. It’s a chance for you to learn about an
industry without the pressure of answering questions about your skills and past employment.
These interviews allow you to speak to an industry insider, determining if you are a good match
for this company or profession. The best part about this type of interview is that you are in
control of the questions. However, remember that it is to gain more information about a
particular job, career or industry, and not a job interview. You never know where this contact
could lead!
Sample Questions
 What are the educational requirements for this job? What other types of credentials or
licenses are required?
 How did this type of work interest you and how did you get started?
 How many years of direct experience are necessary to get hired in this type of business?
 What are the skills that are most important for a position in this field?
 Is there any particular training that would be helpful for someone to get hired here?
 What were the keys to your career advancement? What are your long-range goals?
 What is the overall size of your company?
 What sorts of changes are occurring in your occupation?
 I know that many industries in general are looking toward the Internet for new markets.
How is your company taking advantage of social media and online marketing?
 How does your company differ from its competitors?
 Do you find your job exciting or stimulating?
 From your perspective, what are the problems you see working in this field?
If you get nervous talking on the telephone, practice with family and friends first. Or write out a
mini script to follow. When making calls to employers, call the companies you don’t have much
interest in working for – just for the practice! Once you have done it a couple times, you will be
more confident and then it will be time to tackle the ideal job situation!
The enclosed information was created by Chatham-Kent Employment Resource Centre staff for general information
only. For accurate, detailed and up to date information, consult with the actual service provider.
October 2010