My Job Search Portfolio

Use this portfolio as you work through the EMPOWER VI Finding and Applying for Jobs in Your Community course.

My Job Search Portfolio

Use this portfolio as you work through the EMPOWER VI Finding and Applying for Jobs in Your Community course.

The portfolio will help you:

Follow along with each lesson
Keep track of what you learn
Identify jobs that interest you
Find job opportunities in your community
Identify people who can help you
Prepare to apply and interview for jobs

Each section of this portfolio matches a lesson in the course. Enter your answers in the spaces provided. You can return to this portfolio and update it as your interests, skills, and job search change.

Lesson 1: Identifying My Job and Career Interests

Use this section to think about the kinds of jobs that interest you and the skills you already have or would like to develop.

1. My strengths and soft skills

Examples: communication, teamwork, problem solving, being ontime, organization, adaptability

My strengths and soft skills:

2. My technical skills

Think about skills you already have that could be useful in a job.

Examples: computer skills, counting money, using tools or equipment, animal care, cooking, writing, using specific software

Technical skills I already have:

Technical skills I would like to learn:

3. Career exploration tools I have used

Mark or list the tools you have used to explore your interests, strengths, likes, dislikes, or work values.

‍My Next Move ‍
O*Net Interest Profiler ‍
Work Values Matcher‍
Another career exploration tool:

Something I learned about myself from these tools:

4. Jobs or careers that interest me

List at least three jobs or careers you would like to learn more about.

Job or career 1:
What interests me about it:

Job or career 2:
What interests me about it:

Job or career 3:
What interests me about it:

5. What kind of job am I looking for right now?

Examples: part-time, full-time, summer, seasonal, after-school, weekend

I am looking for:

6. My current job goal

What kind of job would you like to have right now?

My current job goal:

7. My future career goal

You do not need to know exactly what you want to do in the future. Write down a career, career area, or type of work you would like to explore.

My future career goal or area I want to explore:

Lesson 2: Understanding My Local Labor Market

Use this section to learn about jobs and businesses in your community.

Tools I used to explore my local labor market

Examples:

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics career resources
My state job bank – found through the CareerOneStop State Jobs Bank Directory
Local Chamber of Commerce
Local business websites
Other local resources

Tools or resources I used:

1. Are jobs that match my interests available where I live?

Jobs I found that match my interests:

2. Other jobs that use similar skills

If the exact job you want is not available near you, what other jobs might use similar skills? For example, if there are no museums nearby, a visitor center, library, historic site, community center, or recreation program might use similar skills.

Other jobs I could explore:

3. Employers I want to learn more about or contact

Business 1:
Possible job:

Business 2:
Possible job:

Business 3:
Possible job:

3. How could I get to work?

Examples: walking, bus, car, rides from family or friends, paratransit, rideshare, biking

Transportation options I could use:

Is transportation likely to affect which jobs I apply for?

Yes / No / I am not sure

If yes or unsure, what do I need to learn or plan for?

Lesson 3: Finding Jobs Locally

Use this section to keep track of ways you can find jobs in your area.

1. Search words I will try

Similar jobs may have different names, so try more than one search word. For example, if you are interested in working with animals, you could search for animal care, kennel assistant, dog daycare, pet store, or veterinary assistant.

Search words I will try:

2. Online tools I will use to search for jobs

Examples:

Websites or tools I will use:

3. Businesses I may visit, call, or email

Some businesses may accept applications even when they do not have a job posted online. Think about businesses or organizations where you could ask whether they are hiring.

Businesses I may visit, call, or email:

4. Jobs I found that I may want to apply for

Job 1:
Business:
How I found it:

Job 2:
Business:
How I found it:

Job 3:
Business:
How I found it:

Lesson 4: Who Can Help Me?

Use this section to identify people and organizations that can support your job search.

1. Organizations and places that can help me

Examples:

Vocational Rehabilitation - find your state's agency through the Rehabilitation Services Administration list
American Job Center
School staff
Local library
Community center
Disability organizations
Workforce development programs

Organizations or places I can contact:

2. People in my personal network

These might include family members, friends, neighbors, teachers, coaches, or other people you know.

People in my personal network:

3. People in my professional network

These might include supervisors, coworkers, mentors, teachers, counselors, people you met through volunteering, or people who work in a career that interests you.

People in my professional network:

4. What kind of help do I need?

You might need help finding jobs, completing applications, preparing for interviews, transportation, accommodations, or another part of your job search.

The kind of help I need:

5. Three people I will ask for help with my job search

Person 1:
How they might help me:

Person 2:
How they might help me:

Person 3:
How they might help me: