Who Am I ReallyThe key to establishing a successful Job

Search

Answering the Question:I am a [what?]

The key to establishing a successful job search is being able to easily say to

complete strangers:

“I am a [something] who [does something] to/for [someone].”

I am a [what?]

Examples:

I am an OEM Salesman who sells plastics to Original Equipment Manufacturers.

– Larry Podojil

I am a Risk Management Professional who delivers business focused technology solutions to small businesses and manufacturers.

– Eric Huggins

I am an entrepreneur who provides an online portal to job seekers and employers.

– Pratik Roychoudhury

The Challenge

• Most people identify themselves as titles:– I am the VP of Sales for…– I am the Shipping Manager for …

• Titles set expectations for responsibility and salary

• Separating yourself from responsibility and salary in order to focus on abilities and desires is not easy.

The Reward

• Understanding who you are, as opposed to what you did, establishes a focus for your search.

• Understanding who you are not, stops you from pursuing jobs you will just say no to anyway.

• Understanding who you are helps you to be open to opportunities you might otherwise overlook.

You are not your last Job

I am not:• What I did at my last job

– The Shipping Manager– The Vice President of Sales– The IT Director– The Receiving Clerk

What am I then?

Determining who I am requires:• Reviewing work history• Seeking input• Understanding skill sets

Reviewing Work History

• Reviewing what I’ve done well in the past– What was I recognized for– What was my biggest success– What did I enjoy

• Reviewing what I do not want to do again– What I did not do well– What I did not like doing– Who I did not like working with

Seeking Input

• Find a trusted friend or friends:• Ask for:

– Their view of your strengths• What do you appreciate most about me• What do you like doing with me• How do I help you

– Their view of your weaknesses• What do you like least about me• What do you hate doing with me• How do you help me

Understanding Skill Sets

List• What did I do, what functions did I

perform:– Managing Sales force, Calling on Key accounts,

training sales people, designing products– Wrote software, managed developers, trained

users– Managed operations, wrote reviews, balanced

budgets, met production quotas

Tools

Michiana Career Network Blog• Job Search Resources

– Who am I Really?• Seven Stories• 40 Year Vision

Tying it all together

• Search for jobs you would like to do on Monster or Career Builder.– What search criteria brings up only jobs you

want to have?• Talk to Friends

– Try out different answers with Friends and Family

• Reflect– Take some time to let your research talk to you.

The right answer says something about what you do

and something about yourself.

I am a [what?]