Matching Your Career and Your Goals

Gap Analysis

A gap Analysis is an excellent technique for planning the initial steps of your career and focusing your job search.

• Step 1: Create a “brain dump resumé” (everything you have done in the past in a detailed format).
• Step 2: Research possible positions or graduate programs you would like to apply for at the end of your degree. What skills, qualifications, and knowledge will you need to attain?
• Step 3: Fill out a gap analysis worksheet.

Directions for gap analysis worksheet:

• Column 1: List all skills, qualifications, abilities, education, certificates, and professional qualities you possess.
• Column 2: List all the qualifications, education levels, certifications, and requirements needed for graduate school or desired position.
• Column 3: Cross out any skills that are matching from column 1 and 2. For any remaining out items in column 2, write action steps in column 3.
• Column 4: Write the expected outcomes of those actions.
• Column 5: List people who will be instrumental in accomplishing these outcomes

Making the Connection

Review the results of your self exploration and occupational research. Choose an occupation (one or more) that make sense to you based on your findings. Ask yourself:

• Do these findings make sense to me?
• Are they accurate?
• What are some common patterns evident in the possible options?
• What jumps out?
• What is missing?
• Do I need to do further research?

Pay attention to feelings. Though it is important to be logical in the career decision–making process, your gut reaction is also important. Are you sensing uncertainty or excitement?