Whether you're currently in a job you're not sure of, a job you feel could give you more satisfaction, or looking for a new opportunity – its worth thinking about whether its right for you.

Recrion has worked with The Highlands Company to devise an evaluation to get at the source of what we call a personal strategic vision – a personal vivid picture of where you are going in life.

Make a note of the points associated with your answer, and add then up to find out whether you have a solid personal vision.

How old are you?
18-24  -  8 pts
25-28  -  0 pts
29-33  -  4 pts
34-38  -  0 pts
39-43  -  8 pts
44-50  -  0 pts
51-55  -  4 pts
56-65  -  0 pts
65+     -  8 pts

How do you feel about your job?
Love it  -   0 pts
Like it  -  4 pts
Tolerate it  -   6 pts
Used to like it, now tired of it  -  8 pts
Dislike it  -  7 pts
Hate it  -   8 pts

How long have you been in your present career?
17+ years  -  8 pts
8-17 years -  4 pts
1.5-7 years -  0 pts
<1.5 years  -  4 pts

Which statement best describes you at work?
A. I am an extrovert I like being around people most of the time.       
B. I am an introvert I can interact with people but I have to work at it sometimes.

For A) How do you interact with people on the job?
Interacting constantly  -  0 pts
Interact some  -  4 pts
Don't interact much  -  8 pts

For B) Rate your interaction with people at work
Don't interact much/ controlled interactions  -  0 pts
Interact some  -  4 pts
Interact constantly  -  8 pts

Do you have personal strategic plan for your life/ career?
Yes I know where I'm going  -  0 pts
Sort of, I have ideas  -  4 pts
No – I'm winging it   -  8 pts

How close is your present job to the kind of work you would volunteer to do if you didn't have practical considerations?
Very similar   -  0 pts
Alike in some ways  -  4 pts
Not alike at all  -  8 pts

Do you have a set of written goals for your life?
Yes  -  0 pts
No  -  8 pts

If Yes) Is your current job related to reaching any of these goals?
Most of them  -  0 pts
Some of them  -  4 pts
None of them  -  8 pts

What fascinates you most? What grabs your attention on TV and in magazines? Does your present job have any relation to these?
Yes, a lot  -  0 pts
Maybe, but not a lot  -  4 pts
Not very much at all  -  8 pts

How would you feel if told you would be in the same career as you are now for another 7-10 years (assuming it progressed and changed as you think it will)?
Lucky/excited  -  0 pts
There are worse things  -  4 pts
Totally depressed  -  8 pts

Does your job in any way resemble what your mother and father did at work?
Exactly the same  -  4 pts
Some significant similarities  -  0 pts
A few similarities   -  4 pts
Not anything alike  -  8 pts

Calculate your points and see whether you have a Personal Strategic Vision or whether you are Misplaced!

60-80 Points: Sorry you are in Misplaced City!
The Downside- You are Misplaced. You may be feeling somewhat dissatisfied with how your career is going and you may not know how to figure out the next step.
The Upside- Now is the ideal time to think about your career strategically. You are undoubtedly ready for change. Creating a Personal Strategic Vision can help make the career changes you make positive changes.  Find out what we can do to help.

41-59 Points: You're at a crossroads; time to make a decision
The Downside- If you are not Misplaced now you may be soon.
The Upside- You're at a crossroad. You have some of the pieces of your personal vision, but looking at an even larger picture of your life and career can really help. You are either ready for a change or fast approaching a time when you will be open to change. Working on your vision can make that change happen in a positive, life enhancing way. Our Career Evolution Workshop will help you clarify your vision.

21-40 points: Keep pushing; you're close to a real career plan.
The Downside- You may be satisfied enough that you don't feel immediately motivated to get a strategic plan.
The Upside- You may have many of the pieces of your own personal vision. Start to integrate them into a Personal Strategic Vision – that is, getting your career to match your dream. This vision can move you into a very powerful and positive direction. Fast track your strategic plan in a Engage Evolution workshop.

0-20 Points: You've got a Vision.
You have identified many of the sources of a personal vision. You may be at a time when your feel "launched" and on your way. Working on a Personal and Strategic Vision or defining the one you already have can prepare you for future twists and turns in your career.  Find out how your key abilities fit into your vision.

Recrion is a People Management Specialist and works with individuals at risk of redundancy or who are feeling under-utilised at work to achieve their full potential.  Call Katherine Wiid on 01780 484910 to understand more or visit www.recrion.co.uk