A career suggestion becomes more useful when you connect it to something you have actually done. “Good at communication” is difficult to evaluate. “Explained a delayed order, agreed a revised deadline and kept the customer informed” describes an observable action. This worksheet helps you compare your experience with the tasks of a possible new role.
Start with three real situations
Choose examples from work, study, volunteering, caring responsibilities or personal projects. Include one task you enjoyed, one difficult situation you handled and one activity you would prefer not to repeat. For each, record the situation, your own actions, the outcome and what evidence you still have. You do not need to disclose names or private employer information.
For example, imagine a shop assistant who coordinated a weekend stock count. They divided the shop into sections, explained the process, checked discrepancies and handed over the remaining issues. This may provide evidence of planning, clear instructions and checking accuracy. It does not by itself establish expertise in project management software or responsibility for a large budget.
Use this evidence template
- Situation: What needed to happen, and under what constraints?
- Action: What did you personally do? Separate your contribution from the team's work.
- Outcome: What changed? Use a number only if you can substantiate it; an honest descriptive outcome is useful.
- Transfer: Which task in the new role uses a similar skill?
- Gap: What knowledge, qualification or experience remains unproven?
Compare tasks instead of job titles
Take two current job descriptions for a role you are considering. Highlight repeated tasks and entry requirements. Group each requirement as “evidence available,” “some related experience” or “not yet demonstrated.” A job title can mean different things across employers, so use the actual responsibilities to guide your comparison.
In the shop example, coordinating a stock count could relate to organising a small operational project. If the target role requires spreadsheet reporting, the next step could be creating a fictional inventory sheet with totals, discrepancy checks and a short written handover. Use invented data rather than confidential records from work.
Check interest and feasibility separately
You can be capable of a task without wanting it to dominate your working week. Note whether you liked the activity itself, the people around you or the feeling of completing it. Then list practical constraints such as training time, location, shift patterns and the income you need. These considerations may change which route is workable even when a career theme is appealing.
Choose one small experiment
Set a question you can investigate within a week: “Do I enjoy organising information and explaining the result?” Try a short project, discuss daily tasks with someone in the role, or review an introductory course outline. Record what surprised you and whether you want to continue. An experiment should produce evidence, not an obligation to change careers.
The Career & Skills assessment can suggest themes to explore. Use this evidence sheet to test those themes against your experience. A match percentage does not mean you have that probability of getting a job, and a low match does not prohibit you from learning a new skill.