All career planning and job searches should include a clear understanding of one’s own interests, strengths, skills and values.
Many useful self-assessment tools exist, notably books such as What Color is Your Parachute? (available at the CDO (150R)), and professionally administered tests such as the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator.
UC Berkeley’s University Health Services (UHS), located at the Tang Center on Bancroft Avenue, has an excellent array of self-assessment resources, including free assessments conducted by counseling and psychological professionals.
Read a brief description of UHS career interest (and personality) assessment services and links to several online assessment tools.
Here are some external online self-assessment resources:
The web site associated with What Color is Your Parachute? has a page of links and advice on self- assessment.
The Findlaw Professional Development Center has a series of articles and links on legal career management, including self-assessment.
A prominent legal search firm has provided a resource called “Ten Questions to Ask Yourself Before Choosing a Practice Area,” with suggested practices based on the answers.
Yale Law School’s career office has a thoughtful guide called “Choosing the Right Employer for You.”
Harvard Law School’s Office of Public Interest Advising also has a self-assessment questionnaire.
This list is entitled “Career Assessment Update for Laid-Off Lawyers,” but the resources are aimed at all job seekers.
Here is a ranking of various self-assessment tools.