resources for career planning

Level Up Your Future: The Best Resources for Career Planning

Why Lifelong Career Planning is Your Ultimate Power-Up

Resources for career planning include free online self-assessments (like personality tests and skills inventories), government career tools (such as the Job Bank and O*NET OnLine), educational planning databases, job search platforms, networking strategies, and specialized support for specific groups like veterans or entrepreneurs.

Career planning used to be something you did oncemaybe in high school or collegeand then you were set for life. Those days are over. In today’s rapidly changing economy where permanent positions have become rare, career development is a lifelong process. Most adult workers now recognize the long-term benefits of becoming lifelong learners as they deal with multiple career transitions.

The good news? You don’t need expensive career coaches or assessments to take control of your career journey. There’s an abundance of free, high-quality resources available online to help you at every stagefrom figuring out what you’re good at, to exploring new career paths, to landing your next job.

Whether you’re a recent graduate, a single caregiver returning to the workforce, a mid-career professional looking for change, an older adult seeking flexible work, or a veteran transitioning to civilian life, the right resources can help you identify your strengths, explore opportunities you never knew existed, and build a roadmap to a career that actually fits your life.

For many people in California, including residents moving from crisis to stable housing, strong career planning is directly connected to long-term housing retention and financial stability. LifeSTEPS sees this every day through its human-centered services across the statefrom Southern California to the Bay Area and Sacramentowhere comprehensive support helps maintain a 93% housing retention rate and opens doors to opportunities like homeownership through partnerships with programs such as FSS.

This guide walks you through the best free tools and strategies for career planning, from self-assessment to goal setting to job searching. No fluff, no overwhelming listsjust the resources that actually work, paired with the kind of wraparound support that helps people sustain careers, health, and housing.

Resources for career planning terms at a glance:

Step 1: Know Thyself – Free Tools for Career Self-Assessment

Before you can chart a course, you need to know your starting point. Self-assessment is the bedrock of effective career planning, helping us uncover our unique blend of skills, interests, and values. This deep dive into who we are helps us make choices that truly resonate, leading to greater job satisfaction and long-term success. It’s about understanding our personality and temperament, identifying our strengths, and acknowledging areas where we might want to grow. This foundational step is often overlooked, but it’s where the most meaningful career journeys begin. We even offer a comprehensive Career Development Needs Assessment to help you get started.

Historically, comprehensive career exploration assessments were often costly and time-intensive, presenting a significant barrier for many, especially those served by not-for-profit career services. However, the digital age has democratized access to these crucial tools. Today, there’s a wealth of free, online resources that allow anyone to begin their journey of self-findy.

Top Free Online Resources for Career Planning Self-Findy

We’ve curated a list of accessible and impactful free online assessments that can shed light on your unique profile:

  • Personality Tests: These tests help us understand our innate preferences and how we interact with the world. Knowing our personality type can guide us toward work environments and roles where we’re most likely to thrive.

    • 123test – Offers a variety of tests related to IQ, personality, and career assessment.
    • Humanmetrics Jung Typology Test – Based on Carl Jung’s theory of psychological types, this test helps identify your four-letter personality type (similar to Myers-Briggs).
    • Keirsey Temperament Sorter – A widely used personality instrument that helps identify one of four temperaments, offering insights into our core motivations and talents.
    • PersonalityPage – Provides insights into various personality types and their implications for career choices.

  • Skills Assessments: These help us identify our existing talents and areas for development. Many even suggest careers that align with our strongest skills.

    • CareerExplorer – A comprehensive platform that assesses personality, interests, values, and workplace preferences to recommend careers.
    • CareerFitter – Offers a free career test to match your personality to ideal careers.
    • Novorésumé – Provides career aptitude tests to help identify suitable career paths.

  • Values Inventories: Understanding what we value most in a job (e.g., work-life balance, impact, income, creativity) is crucial for long-term satisfaction.

    • Life Values Inventory – Helps us clarify our core values, which can then be used to guide career and life decisions.
    • CareerPerfect – Offers a free work values assessment to help pinpoint what matters most to us in a job.

  • Aptitude Tests: These measure our natural abilities and potential for learning new skills, often indicating areas where we might excel.

The Power of a Professional Debrief

While these online tools are incredibly valuable for initial self-findy, they are just the first step. For many individuals, taking online assessments and aptitude tests can sometimes lead to confusion and uncertainty without proper context. This is where the role of career professionals, like those at LifeSTEPS, becomes invaluable.

Clients who complete online assessments truly benefit from a debrief with a trusted career professional. Taking the time to dialogue with clients builds stronger relationships, provides clarity, and positively affects employment outcomes. For many individuals, knowing their strengths and weaknesses opens the door to a wider range of employment possibilities. Our human-centered support ensures that you not only understand your assessment results but also how to translate them into actionable steps for your career journey. We believe in providing comprehensive Career Development Assessment to help you make informed decisions.

Step 2: Explore the Possibilities – Researching Careers and the Job Market

Once you have a clearer picture of your inner landscape, the next step in resources for career planning is to look outward. The job market is a dynamic ecosystem, constantly evolving. In a rapidly changing economy where permanent positions have become rare, it has never been more important to be able to identify career possibilities. This means actively exploring different career paths, understanding current job market trends, and identifying in-demand industries. These career exploration resources can give participants a fresh look at their personalities, temperaments, skills, and possible career avenues. Our Career Development Planning Ultimate Guide offers an in-depth look at this process.

person researching job market trends - resources for career planning

Tools for Exploring Career Paths

There’s a vast amount of information available to help us explore work. Here are some of the most powerful tools:

  • ONET OnLine: This is a premier national database for occupational information. ONET OnLine features detailed descriptions for over 900 occupations. It provides insights into job duties, required skills, education levels, and even salary information. It’s an indispensable resource for anyone looking to understand a specific career path or explore new options. We can use it to learn about requirements, characteristics, and available opportunities for our selected occupation.
  • CareerOneStop: Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor, Explore Careers offers a comprehensive suite of tools for career exploration and job analysis. It includes a Salary Finder, Interest Assessment, Skills Matcher, and Work Values Matcher. It also allows us to research labor market information, compare occupations, and find data on fastest-growing careers, careers with the most openings, and those with declining employment. This data-driven approach helps us make informed decisions about our career trajectory in California and beyond.

Planning Your Education and Training

Aligning our educational and training choices with our career goals is a critical component of successful career planning. Whether you’re considering post-secondary education, vocational training, or professional certifications, understanding the landscape of options and how they connect to your aspirations is key.

  • Post-Secondary Options: California boasts a diverse range of colleges, universities, and vocational schools. Researching specific programs that align with your desired career path is essential. Look for programs that offer practical skills, industry connections, and strong employment outcomes.
  • Finding Programs: Websites like CareerOneStop often link directly to training programs and educational institutions. Many institutions also have career centers that provide guidance on program selection.
  • Financial Assistance: The cost of education can be a significant barrier, but numerous financial assistance options are available. These include federal student aid, state grants, scholarships, and bursaries. LifeSTEPS is proud to help individuals access educational opportunities, and we’ve helped secure over $2.1 million in scholarships for our clients. We believe in empowering individuals through education, offering resources that lead to rewarding careers. Our Adult Education Programs Complete Guide can help you steer these options.

Embracing lifelong learning is more important than ever. As the job market evolves, continuous learning ensures we remain adaptable and employable. Look for opportunities to gain new skills, whether through formal education, online courses, or certifications. This commitment to growth is a powerful investment in our future.

Step 3: Take Action – Job Searching, Networking, and Goal Setting

Knowing ourselves and understanding the job market are crucial, but the next step is to translate that knowledge into action. This involves mastering the art of job searching, strategically building our professional network, and setting clear, actionable goals. Our Career Management Process guides you through these vital steps.

Effective job searching is a skill in itself, encompassing several key elements:

  • Building a Winning Resume: Our resume is our personal marketing document. It should clearly articulate our skills, experiences, and accomplishments, custom to the specific jobs we’re applying for. Highlighting transferable skills and quantifiable achievements is key.
  • Crafting a Compelling Cover Letter: A cover letter is our chance to tell a story. It should explain why we’re a great fit for the role and the company, demonstrating our enthusiasm and understanding of their needs. A well-written cover letter can significantly increase our chances of an interview.
  • Nailing the Interview: Interviews are our opportunity to showcase our personality and fit for the role. Preparation is paramount. Research the company, anticipate questions, and practice our answers. The STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) is an excellent framework for answering behavioral questions, allowing us to provide concrete examples of our past experiences.
  • Managing Your Social Media Presence: Our online presence is an extension of our professional brand. Many employers conduct social media screenings as part of their hiring process. We should ensure our social media profiles are professional, consistent with our resume, and reflect positively on us. A well-maintained LinkedIn profile, for instance, can be a powerful tool for career advancement.

successful job interview - resources for career planning

The Hidden Job Market and Networking

Did you know that many job vacancies are never advertised? These positions are often filled informally through word of mouth—this is what we call the hidden job market. The best way to tap into it is through networking.

  • Power of Networking: Networking is about building genuine relationships with people in our field or desired industry. It can lead to invaluable insights, introductions, and opportunities that might never be publicly advertised.
  • Finding Mentors: Networking can also help us find mentors who can offer guidance, share their experiences, and support our career development. A mentor can be a critical ally in navigating our professional journey.
  • Building Professional Connections: Attending industry events, joining professional associations, and even engaging in online communities can help us expand our network. Staying connected to our industry is more important than ever for maintaining employability in an ever-changing labor market.

How to Set and Achieve SMART Career Goals

Setting clear goals is fundamental to successful career planning. The SMART framework provides a powerful way to define and achieve our objectives:

  • Specific: Our goals should be clear and well-defined. Instead of “get a better job,” try “secure a position as a project manager in a non-profit organization.”
  • Measurable: We need to be able to track our progress. How will we know when we’ve achieved our goal? “Complete three industry certifications” is measurable, unlike “improve my skills.”
  • Attainable: Our goals should be challenging but realistic. Consider our resources, skills, and timeframe. “Launch my own business within six months with no capital” might not be attainable without prior planning.
  • Relevant: Our goals should align with our broader career aspirations and values. Is this goal worthwhile? Does it move us closer to our ultimate vision?
  • Timely: Every goal needs a deadline. This creates a sense of urgency and helps us prioritize. “Secure a new job by the end of the year” provides a clear timeframe.

We encourage you to Set career goals that are SMART. Writing down our goals and the steps to get there, posting them where we’ll see them often, and setting deadlines can significantly increase our chances of success. Finding a “goal partner” – a friend, co-worker, or job coach – can also provide accountability and support.

Specialized Resources for Career Planning

While general career planning principles apply to everyone, some individuals and career paths benefit from specialized resources for career planning. Our diverse workforce needs custom support, and LifeSTEPS is committed to providing pathways for all. Our Youth Workforce Development Programs are just one example of our custom approach.

skilled trades worker and entrepreneur - resources for career planning

  • Skilled Trades: The skilled trades sector is vital in California, encompassing construction, manufacturing, service, and automotive industries. These careers often offer excellent wages and job security. Resources for skilled trades typically include apprenticeship programs, vocational schools, and industry-specific certifications. These hands-on paths provide direct entry into the workforce with valuable, in-demand skills.
  • Entrepreneurship: For those with an innovative spirit, entrepreneurship offers the freedom to build something new. This path involves developing a business idea, creating a business plan, securing funding, and managing all aspects of an enterprise. Resources for aspiring entrepreneurs often include business development centers, mentorship programs, and workshops on topics like marketing and financial management.
  • Gig Economy: The gig economy, characterized by temporary, flexible jobs, is a growing segment of the workforce. It offers flexibility and autonomy, appealing to many, especially millennials. Resources for navigating the gig economy include platforms that connect freelancers with clients, tools for invoicing and time tracking, and advice on managing finances as an independent contractor.

Career Planning for Veterans

Veterans bring invaluable skills and experiences to the civilian workforce, but the transition can be complex. The military lifecycle profoundly shapes individuals, making specialized support crucial.

  • Military Culture and Transition Challenges: Military service involves an all-encompassing commitment. Basic training is an acculturation phase where civilian identity is shed for a new military identity. Advanced training focuses on a specific Military Occupational Specialty (MOS), which often defines a service member’s role. Deployments can be unpredictable and lengthy. This deep immersion means that exiting the military can be a rapid and disorienting experience, often with limited training on transitioning to civilian life. Veterans may be less prepared for securing housing, employment, and reintegration into civilian culture, potentially facing culture shock or trauma.
  • Translating Military Skills (MOS): A challenge for veterans is translating their MOS and military experiences into civilian job terms. What might be a “Combat Engineer” in the military could translate to “Construction Supervisor” or “Logistics Coordinator” in the civilian world. Resources like O*NET OnLine can be instrumental in identifying civilian occupations that align with military skills.
  • DD-214 Significance: The DD-214 is a critical document for veterans. It serves as proof of military service and includes vital information like MOS, highest rank achieved, awards, and type of discharge. This document is essential for accessing VA benefits, applying for government jobs, and proving eligibility for many veteran-specific programs.
  • Transition Assistance Program (TAP): While available, the effectiveness of TAP can vary widely, sometimes offering just a basic checklist for returning to civilian life. Many veterans need more comprehensive support.
  • LifeSTEPS’ Support for Veterans: At LifeSTEPS, we understand these unique challenges. We are dedicated to providing human-centered support to help veterans achieve self-sufficiency and stability. This includes connecting them with Job Training for Veterans programs, assisting with housing (including deposit assistance through programs like CalAIM), and offering comprehensive services to help them steer the civilian job market. We focus on measurable outcomes, helping veterans translate their invaluable military experience into successful civilian careers here in California.

Frequently Asked Questions about Career Planning

How often should I revisit my career plan?

Career planning is a lifelong process, not a one-time event. We recommend revisiting your career plan annually, or whenever you experience significant life events such as a job change, a move, or a shift in personal priorities. It’s also wise to re-evaluate when you feel unfulfilled or stagnant in your current role. Regular check-ins ensure your career path remains aligned with your evolving skills, interests, and the changing job market. Our Career Development Planning Process emphasizes this continuous approach.

What are the most important skills for the future job market?

The future job market, particularly in dynamic regions like California, demands a blend of technical and soft skills. While specific technical skills will vary by industry, a universal set of core competencies is paramount. These include strong communication, problem-solving, adaptability, critical thinking, and digital literacy. Employers are increasingly looking for individuals who can learn new technologies quickly, collaborate effectively, and steer complex challenges. Cultivating these core competencies will make you more resilient and valuable in any career. We encourage exploring resources that help you learn about the skills necessary for success.

Can I change careers even if I don’t have direct experience?

Absolutely! Many people successfully change careers without direct experience in their new field. The key is to identify and articulate your transferable skills. These are competencies gained in one role or industry that are applicable to another (e.g., project management, communication, problem-solving, leadership). Start by inventorying your skills and experiences, then research how they apply to your desired new career. You can also gain new skills through volunteering, taking online courses, enrolling in further education, or seeking mentorship. LifeSTEPS believes in the power of Experiential Learning and Career Development to help you bridge any experience gaps and make a successful transition.

Conclusion: Your Journey to a Fulfilling Career Starts Now

We’ve explored a wealth of resources for career planning, from understanding ourselves through free self-assessments to navigating the complexities of the job market, mastering job search techniques, and setting SMART goals. We’ve also touched upon specialized support for unique career paths and the vital considerations for our veteran community.

The journey to a fulfilling career is continuous, requiring curiosity, adaptability, and a proactive approach. It’s about empowering ourselves to make informed choices and embracing lifelong learning. The first step, however, is simply to begin.

At LifeSTEPS, we believe in the power of human-centered support and community impact. We provide comprehensive support to help individuals achieve self-sufficiency and stability, whether that’s through our successful 93% housing retention rate, the 97% literacy improvement in our youth programs, or the $2.1 million in scholarships we’ve helped secure. Our RN Program, for example, has significantly impacted health outcomes, reducing hospitalizations and saving an estimated $1.1 million annually per site.

Your journey to a meaningful and stable career starts now. We’re here to walk alongside you, offering the resources and support you need to thrive in California. Explore our programs and services to find the support you need for your career journey. For more information, contact LifeSTEPS, 3247 Ramos Cir, Sacramento, CA 95827 | Phone: (916) 965-0110 | lifestepsusa.org.