Self-Assessment
It Starts with You
When you think of the job search process, what words, feelings or actions first come to mind? For many of us, we tend to think about external factors: What jobs are out there? How do I identify opportunities? How do I write my résumé and apply for jobs?
The career decision-making process begins in a more introspective way with self-assessment. It starts with you—thinking about what you want to achieve out of this next stage in your professional development and reflecting on your interests, values, goals, skills, and boundaries. In other words, the question to ask is NOT “What can I do with my PhD?”, but rather, “What do I want to do with the skills and knowledge I’ve gained?”
It's helpful to start with self-assessment because this step will inform all other steps in the job search process, from exploration, to focusing on specific industries and roles, to implementing a successful search.
Some questions to consider:
- What motivates you and why?
- How do you work best?
- What are your values in relation to work?
- Are there other factors you need to consider (family responsibilities, geographic restrictions/preferences, financial needs, etc.)?
Self-Assessment Resources
Northwestern Career Advancement offers 60-minute career counseling appointments for PhD students and recent alums who are exploring different career paths. You can schedule these appointments via Handshake (select Choosing a Career Path), and a career counselor will help you assess your skills, values, interests, and goals for the next stage in your professional development.
Several online resources for PhDs can also help with self-assessment: