In order to get and keep a job, there are particular skills employers are looking for. These skills include both workplace skills, or soft skills, and skills specific to a job acquired through education or training, and experience. Both types of skills are evaluated to determine your level of job performance, and are needed for workplace success.
Click here to learn more about Workplace Skills.
Take a
SKILLS Profiler that will help you identify your present job skills, identify occupations that match those skills, understand what skills are required for a given occupation, and determine what training and skills you need for a particular job. It also may help you to recognize skills that transfer between occupations.
You must be logged into Illinois workNet to access the SKILLS profiler. To login or to setup a free Illinois workNet account, CLICK HERE.
To take the SKILLS Profiler, go to My Skills and Interests and click on SKILLS Profiler.
Another great way to identify your job skills is to make a list of skills you have learned through your job experiences, educational experiences, internships, volunteer activities, summer jobs, and hobbies. Writing down your job skills will also help you develop your resume. To view resume examples, visit the Prepare Your Resume section of Illinois workNet.
Below are some websites that provide information about and access to free self-directed profiling tools:
- The Riley Guide
- Learn about a variety of profiling tools, some are free and self directed and some require assistance and charge a fee. - CareerOneStop: Skills Profiler - Complete an online form that will help identify your skills and occupations related to these skills.
- O-Net - The online Skills Search function is designed to help you use your skill set to identify occupations for exploration.
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A job that allows you to work in your interest areas can be rewarding and enjoyable. To begin your job-search planning process, explore your interests by reflecting upon activities that you've done and really enjoyed and accomplishments that have made you proud.
Take the
Interest Profiler and find out what occupations most closely match your occupational interests. The Interest Profiler helps to identify an individual's strongest work-related inteterests and match occupations to an individual's job-related interests.
You must be logged into Illinois workNet to access the Interest Profiler. To login or to setup a free Illinois workNet account, CLICK HERE.
To take the profiler, go to My Skills and Interests and click on Interest Profiler.
Also, consider taking the Career Cluster Inventory which can help you narrow down your choices. Take this survey and rate 80 activities on how much you think you would enjoy doing them. Follow these steps to take the Career Cluster Inventory:
- Go to http://www.ilcis.intocareers.org/jrsurvey/JrSurvey_intro.aspx
- Use option 3 (Town/ZIP/Area code) to enter the interest inventory
- Click on "Rate the activities" and complete the survey
- View and print your results
If you have questions about the results received from the Interest Profiler or wish to discuss your occupational interests in further detail, contact or visit the trained staff at a Local Resource Room near you
Having basic skills such as math, reading, and writing can be the determining factor in getting the job you want. To review or practice basic math, reading, and writing skills visit the links below.
- Math.Com The World of Math Online - provides a review of Basic Math, Pre-Algebra, Algebra, Geometry, Trigonometry, and much more.
- Homework Spot - provides resources according to grade level and by subject - Fine Arts, Foreign Languages, Math, Life Skills, and many more.
- Wonderlic self-assessment quizzes help you identify gaps in your knowledge of math, measuring, and reading, so you can better prepare for interviews and employment.
- Computer & Technology Skills- Learn for FREE Online - GCF offers free online tutorials covering the basics of computers, the Internet, Microsoft Office 97 through 2003, and life skills. The website also provides free online classes covering Microsoft Access, Excel, PowerPoint, Word, and more...
- TypingTest.com - provides a free typing test which only takes a couple of minutes to complete. The test measures typing speed, accuracy and net speed. The website also provides four free typing games.