Summary
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1
Explain the concept of career preparation.
Career preparation is a journey that differs from person to person. It includes learning to define the
difference between a job and career and understanding how to create a well-developed career plan.
Selecting a career involves choosing which career pathway is best suited to a person’s aptitudes, skills,
abilities, and values, and then selecting an industry within it.
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2
State the purpose of a career plan.
A career plan is documentation of where a person is today in the job-search process and where he
or she would like to be in two to four years. It is a road map to accomplish those goals and should be
reviewed and updated at least twice a year.
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3
Discuss the importance of self-assessment as a step in career planning.
Self-assessment is an important aspect of career planning because it allows a person to focus a career
search to industries that match his or her aptitudes, abilities, personality, and values. Conducting a
self-assessment enables a person to focus on career direction and provides information about his or her
natural aptitudes, abilities, personality, and values.
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4
Identify two types of personal skills that should be a part of a skills assessment.
Two types of personal skills that should be evaluated as a part of a skills assessment are soft skills
and hard skills. Soft skills are applicable skills used to help an individual find a job, perform in the
workplace, and gain success in any job or career. Hard skills are measurable, observable, and critical
skills necessary to perform required, work-related tasks of a position.
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5
Explain the purpose of setting SMART goals.
The purpose of setting SMART goals is so a person can set achievable goals. Generic, vague goals
are difficult to measure, but SMART goals are specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and timely. By
setting SMART goals, a person can better ground himself or herself in the reality of making an income
after college graduation.
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6
Discuss career pathing options.
Career pathing, not to be confused with career pathways, is a strategy an employee can use to
determine personal career development. Career pathing options include earning a promotion, making
a lateral move within the company, changing employers, or changing careers.
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7
Define a career portfolio.
A portfolio is a compilation of materials that provide evidence of a person’s qualifications, skills,
and talents. Showcasing examples of completed work or awards received is an effective way to
communicate one’s qualifications when searching for a job.
Glossary Terms
ability
aptitude
career
career ladder
career lattice
career plan
emerging occupations
hard skills
job
keywords
Occupational Information
Network (O*NET)
personality
portfolio
skill
SMART goal
soft skills
values
Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.
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Chapter 1 Preparing for Your Career