This document provides a checklist to help plan a career path. It involves defining a career interest, researching requirements, taking action steps, and preparing for an interview. The checklist guides the user to: 1) Define a career interest and locate related local jobs; 2) Research the career using online resources to identify requirements and needs; 3) Take action steps like informational interviews, job shadows, or training; and 4) Prepare for interviews by outlining skills, qualities, interests, and potential barriers and accommodations.

1. Career Planning Checklist
DEFINE YOUR CAREER INTEREST (this could be a specific job or an industry):
BECOME AWARE OF YOUR COMMUNITY: Using your networks or the Internet (www.indeed.com or
www.simplyhired.com or www.jobcentral.com), locate at least 2 jobs or companies in your community
that match this career interest.
RESEARCH AND DISCOVER IF THIS IS A GOOD FIT FOR YOU: Use the Occupational Outlook Handbook
(www.bls.gov/OCO/) or O*NET (http://online.onetcenter.org) to help you complete the following chart.
**Start to develop a list of people who may be able to help you, if you need it.
REQUIREMENT LIST I’VE GOT IT! I’LL NEED SOME HELP
FROM…
Level of formal
Yes No
education/academic
skills
Specialized training and
Yes No
skills (including
vocational/technical)*
Yes No
Physical abilities
Personality traits Yes No
needed for success
Testing requirements or Yes No
entrance procedures
Certifications and/or Yes No
licenses
If you have mostly “YES” checked above, move to the next step, ACTION.
If you checked mostly NO, you probably want to spend some time figuring out if this is really the right
job choice for you at this time.

2. ACTION: Consider the following ACTION steps. Choose at least 2 to complete.
ACTION STEP DETAILS DONE ( )
Visit companies and talk to
people working in your field of
interest
Visit places (in person or on the
internet) that train and educate
people in this field of interest
Experience an informational
interview and/or job shadow
related to this field of interest
Learn more about any tests or
other entrance criteria needed
related to this career
Other: ___________________
_________________________
_________________________
AM I REALLY READY?
 I already have the training I need. OR  I have researched (and made notes) regarding
where I can take classes or receive training for
this career.
 I have previous work experience in this OR  I have thought about volunteering in this field
field. to get some work experience.
 I am in good physical and emotional OR  I have some medical issues I should probably
health. take care of.
 My resume good to go! I have had 3 OR  My resume still needs some work.
different people review it – and have
incorporated any feedback.
 I have updated my references list – and OR  It’s been a while since I’ve checked in with my
have 3 solid references that know I’m references. I need to be sure their contact
looking for work. I have made sure all information is still good – and let them know
contact information is up‐to‐date. that I’m getting ready to interview.
 I have examined and identified any OR  I’m not sure if I will need any accommodations
accommodations I might need to be to be successful
successful on this job.
My NETWORK OF SUPPORT includes:
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3. ACING THE INTERVIEW: Part of preparing for an interview is being sure you are confident in your
ability to do the job. By completing the following, this will help you to focus your qualities to the
position you are seeking.
Three (3) specific skills I have pertaining to this career choice:
1.
2.
3.
Three (3) positive personality characteristics I have related to this career choice:
1.
2.
3.
Three (3) interests and/or hobbies I have related to this career choice:
1.
2.
3.
Possible barriers to employment and potential accommodations to alleviate or lessen each barrier are
identified below:
BARRIER POTENTIAL ACCOMMODATION
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4.
NOTES:
FOLLOW‐UP DATE COMPLETED
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