Situation assessment

An in-depth situation assessment/self-reflection requires time and concentration. It is a challenging, but worthwhile activity. The only way to achieve professional satisfaction is to be clear what you can do, what you want to do and what you like to do.

Put down your thoughts in writing. This way your ideas and requirements will be clearer, and if there are any discrepancies, these will become noticeable. Use positive statements such as: “I am particularly good at collecting and sorting information”. Be specific! Not: “I want to learn to drive a forklift truck” - but “By the end of the year, I will have successfully completed the forklift drivers’ course.”

Situation assessment checklist:
Download (PDF, 163 kB, 21.08.2019)

Before you can head off in a new direction, it is worth using your situation assessment as a realistic basis for future decisions determining your career path Where are you right now? At the end of the course? Ahead of a job change? After having given your notice? After a period of unemployment? - This largely depends on your personal requirements, which options are available to you and which goals you can pursue. The situation assessment helps to summarise the key points to be used in planning your future career.

Be clear about what you like to do, what skills you have and how you can combine both to find a job. No matter whether it’s dancing or juggling with mathematical formulas - something that you are passionate about can always be a promising option for a professional activity.

Self-reflection - who am I? This involves taking stock of the professional qualifications and skills you have already gained, but also determining your own wishes, interests and preferences. What are my strengths and weaknesses? What does my previous career path look like? Are there situations, results or circumstances that keep repeating themselves? What should be different in the future? How do my professional and private goals impact each other? Am I open to new challenges?

Self-orientation - where do I want to get to? In this phase, you consider your options and formulate a goal to pursue. What are my goals? What values are important to me? In which direction do I want to develop? Am I aiming for a certain title or status?

Self-management - what should I do? You now develop potential solutions, such as attending a course or a stay abroad to improve your language skills. It is important that these are specific and achievable. Where do I have to improve my competences? Which education/training courses are necessary? Which specific steps do I have to take? How much time and resources can I invest?

Self-marketing - How do I present my strengths? Make sure you are aware of your qualifications, even these are not so obvious to you. How can I best “market” my skills? How do I sensibly plan my applications in a targeted manner?