Self Inventory

The first thing that you need to do when you change your approach to job-hunting is to complete a self-inventory.  By completing a self inventory, you come to know yourself better.  When you are in interviews, you have a greater understanding of your skills sets and can really dig deep into them if you need to.  You can also have a greater understanding of what you are looking for.   Whether it is a new job or a complete career change, by understanding yourself and your past experiences the best that you can you can get a clear picture of where you want to go in the future.  You will know what you want to apply for!  That could be one of the things that is holding you back in your career path.  You might be so focused on the past and previous jobs that you are forgetting to focus on the exciting new job/career that you want!

To do a self-inventory, begin with "I am a person who...," and from here you can finish the rest of the sentence with knows, is skilled at, has had, etc.  Don't think about yourself in terms of your job (I am a lawyer, I am an accountant, I am a marketer).  You are not your job.  You are a person first! Then start jotting everything down on one sheet of paper!  Just one.  This way, you will be forced to be concise.  Grab some extra pieces of blank sheets of paper in case you need to write some things done before you put it on your one sheet!  Finally, prioritize what is important to you!  What Color Is Your Parachute offers an amazing exercise in discovering this, so I highly recommend it.  When you learn what is most important to you after reflection, you will be able to confidently move forward and ace those interviews!