Many of us skip the first and most important step in any effective job search. That is taking the time — and, yes, doing the work — to really figure out what it is we want to do. Many of us simply “fall” into careers based on others’suggestions, based on the money involved, based on the limits of “what we know to be available,” based on the jobs we find listed in newspaper
want ads.

If instead you factor in your values, skills, preferred work characteristics (and those you know you don’t want), you’re more likely to find a lasting fit. Besides, knowing what you want makes for a more focused and effective job search as you move.

Lynn Edwards is a military spouse who did the interest and values analysis to find a career field that fit her. “I’d always been about fun,” she says. “I loved being involved with planning the prom, helping create school fundraisers, coordinating silent auctions. I’ve always been the one to plan get-togethers for my group of friends.” She took a Recreation 101 course in college. As the professor described the ideal recreation professional — outgoing, organized, etc. — as well as the types of jobs available, Lynn thought to herself, “This is Julie on the "Love Boat" — I’m all about that!” She graduated with a degree in Leisure Studies. When she ended up married to the military, it turned out that working in the hospitality industry was one of the best career fields she could have chosen for this new lifestyle. As she points out, no matter where you move with the military, there are hotels, tour companies, convention centers, resorts, event facilities, golf courses that do large events, and of course, military morale, welfare and recreation (MWR) opportunities.

And, knowing what she wanted allowed Lynn to effectively target her job search with each move in order to move up in the field. Knowing what she wanted allowed her to build a long-term career, credibility and contacts with her peers, in addition to adding necessary credentials to continue to move up as she moved with the military.

As you consider potential career fields, take the assessment/interest inventories and pay attention to them.

Cheryl Vollmer, an Air Force wife, has worked with family members and service members for more than 20 years at Air Force Family Support Centers in Germany and the United States. She recommends you check out the resources available right on base as a good starting point.

“Check with your Family Support Center (Air Force), Army Community
Service Center or Navy Service Center for individual assistance with the assessment tools they have available,” says Cheryl. “The Air Force has a program called Discover for example.” She also recommends checking with the Education Center and on-base library.

Many of the resources and assessment tools you would have to pay to access in the civilian world are available for free or at a lower cost through the military. But you have to take action to access them, and then be sure to pay attention to the results as you consider jobs. How does each career field or job fit your interests and skills?

Check with your family resource center to see what assessment tools are currently available, either on base or online. Here are just a few to be aware:

• Both military.com/spouse and militaryspousejobsearch.com have assessment tools for various career fields (along with listings of available jobs by location).

• Edgar Schein’s book Career Anchors: Discovering Your Real Values includes assessment tools and interview questions to have a friend or family member ask you.

• The “guru” of career planning is Richard Bolles, author of the job search classic, ”What Color is Your Parachute? which is updated regularly. His site, (www.jobhuntersbible.com) is full of articles, assessment tools and other resources.

Figure out what you want to do first — you’ll have more success and long-term satisfaction with your career.

Excerpted with permission from Help! I’m a Military Spouse — I Want a Life Too! How to Craft a Life for You as You Move with the Military by Kathie Hightower & Holly Scherer.