YOUR CAREER CATALOG

Don’t have one? Well let’s get started. What you will need is a large three ring binder. This will keep all your information organized and readily available…to update at regular intervals…or to utilize when you begin your career change.

• Gather up all your personal identification information:

• • Birth Certificate
  • Proof of Citizenship
  • Social Security Card
  • Passport
  • Photo ID

• Gather up all your military service information (this may not apply to you…however, it did apply to me)

• • Separation Papers, DD Form 214, DD Form 295, LES
  • Training Record
  • Honors & Awards
  • DD Form 2586 – Verification of Military Experience and Training
  • Service Record
  • Security Clearance
  • Medical Record
  • Benefits

• Gather up the information available in regards to your work experience

• • Work History (job titles, dates, duties, accomplishments, employers)
  • Work Samples
  • Honors and Citations
  • Community Activities
  • Salary History
  • References

• Gather up all documentation in regards to your education and any type of training you have had

• • Transcripts
  • Diplomas/Certificates
  • Honors
  • Activities List
  • Licenses
  • Certifications

• Make several copies of the Master Application Worksheet.This will help you organize all the information that you have spent the past few days collecting. It will help you develop a history of your education and training, work experience, military service, hobbies and interests, organizational memberships, and community activities. Using the worksheet helps you organize the information to use later when you:

• • Write your resume
  • Fill out employment application forms
  • Answer questions in job interviews

My tip this Thursday? Create a Career Catalog or spend some time updating your current one. For me, it will make my task of searching for an at-home career much easier…after all…I have a snapshot of my past career choices, my skills, my achievements all in one place.