[Rapunzel]

I went to a career workshop today, hoping to learn how to present myself more confidently to potential employers. One of the tools from the workshop is the "power statement." The idea is to present yourself in a memorable way, emphasizing the value you can bring to an organization.

Here are the steps:

1. Identify a value, skill, strength, or accomplishment you want to highlight that relates to your objective.
2. Give a specific example of that skill.
3. Show the result of your skill (if possible, use percentages, dollar amounts, or numbers to reinforce your claim).
4. Make sure your statement matches the needs or goals of the organization.

Here is an example from the workbook:

"I have excellent planning skills. For example, I used to ride the bus 36 miles to school every day. When the buses went on strike for eight weeks, I had to find other transportation, but I never missed a day of school. I feel confident I can put these planning skills to work for you."

My homework is to write three more of these statements for myself, and also to internalize my "me in 30 seconds" statement (similar, but more general information about your talents, interests, and values). This is really hard for me. I dissociated a lot during the workshop, and again tonight, attempting the homework.

Here's what I have so far:

I am a good listener. For example, when I was just starting my master's program, I practiced listening skills every chance I got. One co-worker told me about some memories she had never before told anyone. I often can make my clients comfortable enough to talk about the things that have been bothering them, but they didn't think they could express.

I am creative. Besides working with fiber arts myself, I used these skills while I was waiting for a license in another state. I couldn't do counseling, so I used my fiber arts skills to provide and teach the youth a new creative outlet. The youth were able to express themselves and find their own creative talents.

I am resourceful. As a student intern, I was hired to implement a DBT skills program in a residential facility with four units of adolescents. I learned the material on my own through self-study. I was able to teach skills to 60-70 teens every week for two years.

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I'm still working on more of these, and it seems to be getting harder. They suggested having around 30 of them, but I only have to do three more right now.

I think it is a pretty good tool, if anyone else wants to try it out, or give feedback.