by Stephanie Bryant

Created on: January 12, 2007   Last Updated: May 14, 2012

Whether you're ready for a new career, or looking to change your role in your current career, your guiding motto should be: "know thyself."

Do you know yourself? Studies show most people over-estimate their abilities at any given task. And those who are least competent at a task tend to over-estimate their abilities more than those who are most competent. So, if you find yourself doing something unfamiliar and you think you're already good at it, be a little skeptical. Ask yourself if you're transferring other skills, or if you're just kidding yourself.

When you're job searching, know what you're particularly good at doing, and emphasize that in your search and on your resume. Be granular in your approach-there's a big difference between "being creative" and "being able to design a business logo." If you're "a people person," does that mean you're very empathic with others and are a good listener? Or does it mean you're very energetic and entertaining, and other people naturally follow your lead?

If you can, try to take a personality test like the Meyers-Brigg test, administered by a professional. Online versions abound, but unless you fit really neatly into the personality types (which is rare), you'll want to have a professional guidance counselor go over your results to help you understand better what the test says about you.

But don't let personality tests limit you. If your test says you tend to be a good talker, but not a great listener (and you agree with that assessment), try to build up your listening skills and improve yourself. Just because a test says you're one thing doesn't mean you can't branch out.

It's also important to be realistic about your limitations. If you know deep in your heart  you're just not responsible enough to take a certain job, don't take it. Even if the money is fantastic. Develop your responsibility traits in non-employment scenarios before taking on a role where you need to be responsible for others, or where a lapse can cause harm to the company.

If you have a weak spot, but the opportunity comes up to take a job that relies on it, be honest with yourself about your shortcoming and be willing to pass it on. I've often said to prospective clients when asked to do a job that I know is beyond my skills (or interest), "it's not that I can't do it, it's just that it's not my strength. Let me give you the number of someone who's very good at that instead, someone who can do the job faster and better than I ever could." Sure, you might lose the job, but it really wasn't yours to begin with, and now you've built goodwill with two people-a colleague, and a potential employer.

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