Career Assessment for the 21st Century

How do the following statements apply to you and your way of viewing your career? Place
a numerical rating after each item and total your responses at the end of the questionnaire.

1 = DISAGREE 3 = NOT SURE – MAYBE, MAYBE NOT 5 = AGREE

1. I am committed to lifelong learning and have specific learning objectives. _____

2. I understand that job security is my responsibility. _____

3. I am aware that I cannot depend on an employer to guarantee

long term employment. _____

4. I have replaced my concerns about job security with

career protection measures. _____

5. I understand the importance of participating in professional associations. _____

6. Career employability means joining with an

employer as an adjunct resource, not “working for” someone. _____

7. Unsolicited change can be challenging and liberating. _____

8. I make my career decisions based on factors other than prospects

for long-term employment. _____

9. I do not believe that long hours and hard work guarantee my employment. _____

10. Employers are continually readjusting, redeveloping and realigning goals

and so am I. _____

11. I am not relying on my employer to change in ways that will benefit me. _____

12. I understand the importance of leveraging my value in an organization

by creating inter-departmental relationships and assuming
visible, cross-functional roles.
_____

©Rita M. Carey, Ed.D. CPCC RCM Associates Career Management www.rcmassociates.com

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 1 = DISAGREE 3 = NOT SURE – MAYBE, MAYBE NOT 5 = AGREE

13. Job dissatisfaction is often caused by

performing work that no longer reflects
who I am or what I want to do. _____ _____ _____

14. I am a resource; my employer is

the customer who contracts with me
for my specific skills and abilities. _____ _____ _____

15. As organizations continue to reduce

their investment in human capitol,
individuals must be more self-reliant and
less dependent on employers. _____ _____ _____

16. Organizational changes over the past ten

years have significantly reduced the rungs of
vertical career ladders. _____ _____ _____

17. Long term employment with

an employer is no longer a characteristic
of the workplace and will not return in
the future. _____ _____ _____

18. It is important to assess the value of

a potential position to my overall career
objectives before taking it. _____ _____ _____

19. I can distinguish between those

responsibilities that are mine and those
that are my employer’s regarding my career
development. _____ _____ _____

20. I believe that career management is

as important while employed as it is
during career transition. _____ _____ _____

TOTAL SCORE: ______

Note: The career of today requires an understanding of what is needed to remain employable in
st
the 21 century. A score of 100 indicates that you are career savvy…you have a solid
understanding of how the employer - employee relationship has changed in the past 10 years.
A score below 100 - but above 80 indicates a somewhat clear understanding what it takes to be
marketable today. Look at those areas where you disagreed and do a little research to see if you
need to re-think those responses. (Note references below.)

Below 80? Your career is at risk. Notice what is happening around you. Look at business
trends, the change in the employer-employee relationship and the temporary aspect of most jobs
today. It’s about “You, Inc.”

©Rita M. Carey, Ed.D. CPCC RCM Associates Career Management www.rcmassociates.com

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 SELECTED REFERENCES

BOOKS/ARTICLES

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Carey, Rita. “Work in the 21 Century: A Series of Trapezes?” Futures Research Quarterly,
Volume 13, no. 3, (Fall 1997)

Hakim, Cliff. We Are All Self-Employed. Berrett-Koehler Publishers, San Francisco, 1994.

Lucht, John. Rites of Passage at $100,000 +: The Insider’s Lifetime Guide to Executive Job-
Changing and Faster Career Progress. Viceroy Press, Inc. New York, 1998.

Pink, D.H. “Free Agent Nation.” FASTCOMPANY, no. 12 (December 1997): 131+
http://www.fastcompany.com/online/12/freeagent.html

Reich, R.B. “The Company of the Future.” FASTCOMPANY, no.19 (November 1998): 124+
http://www.fastcompany.com/online/19/comfuture.html

Templeton, Tim. The Referral of a Lifetime: The Networking System that Produces Bottom Line
Results Everyday. Berrett-Koehler Publishers, Inc.
San Francisco, 2004

Whitcomb, Susan Britton. 30-Day Job Promotion: build a powerful promotion plan in a month.
JistWorks Publishing. 2008

Watch our website for teleconferences that promote career readiness.

www.rcmassociates.com

Check out my blog for career recommendations.

www.careersuccesscenteronline.com

In support of your success…Rita Carey

©Rita M. Carey, Ed.D. CPCC RCM Associates Career Management www.rcmassociates.com

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