Sending out résumés and cover letters at random doesn't increase your chances of landing an interview. The better you know yourself-your skills, abilities, values, and needs-the more prepared you will be to sell yourself to your ideal employer. The best way to maximize your chance of obtaining an interview that will help you achieve your goal-getting a job that you feel good about-is to target the employers that meet both your professional criteria and your personal needs.

In any job market, there are many well-qualified candidates competing for a single position. Clearly identifying what you have to offer will give you confidence and help you write your resume, match your qualifications to the needs of the market, and respond to interview questions such as "What can you do for us?"

Your first task, then, is to conduct a self-assessment. Searching for a job gives you an opportunity to step back and catalogue what you are all about, what skills and knowledge you have, and what you want to do. Conducting a self-assessment helps you to focus clearly on your abilities and talents as well as your desires. This exercise also helps you to identify your transferable skills. When you complete your self-assessment, you will have information that is the foundation of your resume and can help you when you interview.

The added value of conducting a self-assessment is this information will also help you evaluate new opportunities at your current employer. Don't know how to begin? Here are some suggestions to help you get started.

Identifying Your Skills and Accomplishments
Identifying Your Values
Online Assessments

Tips on Resume Preparation and The Interview Handbook, published by the ACS Department of Career Services, offer a detailed discussion on the benefits and process of conducting a self-assessment in the context of writing your resume and honing your interview skills. Resources for Career Management, also published by ACS Career Services, lists reference books, reading materials, videotapes, and computer services useful in any job search, including a section on self-assessment resources.