cjlook`s expression

This section contains the most important issues for you to consider as you explore different careers. These issues are likely to determine how happy and successful you are in your career.

Interests
You have a notable interest in one core element of business work:

You are very interested in Quantitative Analysis, one of the essential activities in business work. You enjoy using mathematical analysis to solve problems. Whether you work as a manager, executive, consultant, or in any other role, you'll be drawn to the "numbers side" of the business. You may be attracted to businesses (such as financial services, management consulting, and accounting) in which top-notch quantitative analysis directly drives the company's success. Quantitative analysis can take many forms (e.g., everything from market research analysis and supply chain management to compensation and benefits consulting and research analysis). However, business professionals with a strong interest in this area often gravitate toward financial roles, whether in some aspect of financial services or as finance professionals in an operating company.

You're likely to enjoy work activities such as:

• performing cash-flow analyses
• analyzing the future performance of an investment instrument
• determining the optimal debt-to-equity structure for a company
• discovering what a firm's balance sheet reveals about the company's current financial status
• interpreting the spreadsheets behind a market analysis
• analyzing market research
• building a computer model to determine optimal inventory planning
• deciding whether the assumptions behind a business plan or sales forecast make sense

Of course, having a strong interest in Quantitative Analysis doesn't necessarily mean you have the skills you need to succeed in a career in which that activity is a predominant part of the work. But people often develop abilities where their interests lie. So don't let a lack of training or prior experience with quantitative analysis keep you from gaining the knowledge or strengthening the skills you'll need to express this interest.

Organizational Culture
You would fit best in an organizational culture that is a bit reserved and on the polite side. In such companies, departments, and teams, a lot of the work is done independently, behind closed doors -- or at least with some privacy and allowance for focus and concentration. Boisterousness and aggressive behavior definitely run counter to the norm in this kind of culture. People who thrive in such organizations generally view social and business "networking" as a chore to be avoided or minimized, rather than as a fundamental -- and fun -- part of work. Your tendency in this direction is very strong, so you'll want to pay close attention to this aspect of any organization you consider working for. For tips on how to examine an organizational culture in this regard, click here.

You would feel most comfortable in a culture characterized by immediacy and spontaneity. In such organizations, departments, and teams, people value getting things done -- now -- over precision and perfection. A group whose work requires taking immediate action based on limited information (the trading floor of a commodities exchange, for example) would have this culture. Groups that do a lot of their work on deadline, without time to dot all the "i's" and cross all the "t's," will likely embody strong elements of this culture as well. The creative area of an advertising firm might be one example. Your tendency in this regard is very strong, so pay close attention to this aspect of any organization you consider working for. For tips on how to examine this aspect of an organizational culture, go to click here.

You would feel most comfortable in an organization whose operations are characterized by savvy, time-tested pragmatism. In such companies, departments, and teams, people believe that minimizing risk is more important than trying something new that might backfire or result in only a marginal gain. (Companies and brands that dominate their markets often fit this description.) In these cultures, playing a conservative game, getting things done well -- and demonstrating competency in fundamental skill areas -- are the keys to career success. Stability and consistency also carry much weight. "Steady as she goes" could be the unspoken motto among people who thrive in such work environments. You have a very strong tendency in this direction, so pay close attention to this aspect of any organization you consider working for. For tips on how to examine an organizational culture in this regard, click here.

You would enjoy a culture that has a competitive spirit (internally as well as against industry rivals) and that encourages healthy conflict. In such companies, departments, and teams, competition for resources and personal rewards (bonuses, promotions, etc.) is fostered by management, and people engage in skeptical and critical examination of ideas as a normal part of assessing business situations and making decisions. People who thrive in these work environments tend to feel comfortable with conflict. They have no qualms about challenging co-workers when they think doing so will shed helpful light on a business decision -- or will give them the advantage in a negotiation or debate. Your tendency in this direction is very strong, so pay close attention to this aspect of any organization you consider working for. For tips on how to examine an organizational culture in this regard, click here.

Abilities
You have a number of strengths, including:

You also recognize some weaknesses in your business skill set:

One or more of these weaknesses might stand in the way of your career success.

You have a weak interest in Creative Production but put a high estimate on your ability to be creative. How is this possible? This is a great example of the difference between an interest and an ability: We can all do many things that we have little interest in doing. (For example, perhaps you're great at coming up with new marketing plans and advertising ideas, but you're far more passionate about the investment business.) Don't fall into the trap of pursuing a career you're not interested in just because you could be good at it!

Motivators (i.e. Work Reward Values)
You place a very high value on these rewards:

These are your most powerful motivators in work situations. You won't be happy for long if you find yourself employed in a position where you can't earn these rewards. Likewise, you'll want to avoid reporting to a manager who won't provide you with opportunities to earn these rewards.

You're also motivated by:

These are significant motivators for you. However, you may be willing to trade one or more of them for something else that a particular work opportunity offers (such as a desirable geographic location).

Things to Be Alert For -- On the Job and In a Job Search

Your interest in Influence through Language and Ideas and your assessment of your abilities in the areas of Projection of Confidence, Oral Communication, and Sociability are notably low. This suggests that you might not present yourself in as positive light as possible during job interviews. We strongly recommend that, before meeting with a potential employer, you practice responding to likely interview questions, and ask for specific feedback on your interviewing style from a coach or practice partner. You don't want to "under-sell" yourself during interviews!

CareerLeader analyzes your results along four important personal/career dimensions: (1) being sociable, assertive, and outgoing; (2) being creative, curious, and open to new ideas; (3) being sympathetic, trusting, and generous; and (4) being conscientious, self-disciplined, and attentive to detail. Your scores on all four of these dimensions are in the low range. A possible explanation for this is that you responded negatively to many of the choices as you went through the test. Because of this, CareerLeader isn't able to point to specific dangers you should watch out for as you continue on your career path. (You might consider taking the assessment again at some future date.)

But we still want to alert you to several pitfalls that present a danger to everyone, and that have derailed more than one career:

• Walking into a mismatch between you and your organization's overall culture. A cultural mismatch can lead not just to unhappiness, but also to outright career failure.
• Basing career decisions on what you're good at, even if you're not all that interested in it. Your interests, not your abilities, are your long-term competitive advantage -- and they're the "energy" that powers your career. If you're not really interested in the work, the people who are will ultimately pass you by.
• Failing to develop and maintain a professional network within and outside the company you work for. An internal network is essential for understanding the unspoken norms and politics of the company. Your "outside" network can be especially valuable if you're laid off. It can also help you compare compensation and learn how people doing similar work in other companies deal with the challenges they face.