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If you posses a certain level of self knowledge this can be advantageous when it comes to your future because this means you know what your weaknesses and strengths are. It makes it easier for you to recognise mistakes you make along the way and how to learn from them. If you contain a good self-knowledge this will set you on the path for a successful career, but if you don’t, then there are ways to get to know yourself better. This will eventually result in an improved future perspective and clearer goals.

It all begins at self reflection: think about your actions in life and things you are proud of. This is not as easy as it seems, which is why you can categorise self-knowledge into 4 subcategories:

1. Book wisdom = theoretical knowledge, like that you learn in school and from books. Mostly, these are facts and you will be good in remembering facts. This kind of knowledge involves different subjects or areas of knowledge you specialise in. There is usually at least one that you are specialised in and most of the time that is the one where your interest lies. Examples are: knowledge about computers, leather, shoes, animals, cars, etc.
2. Skills: If an electrician-to-be knows a lot about electrical circuits and wiring, but in practice has no idea how to fix electrical problems, they have a problem. This is where the skills come in, so it is necessary to have some skills to back up your base knowledge. You will develop skills through time and practice.
3. Experience: If you have developed your knowledge and skills in a certain area, your career won’t go anywhere without some hands-on, real life experience. It’s pretty competitive out there and no one’s going to come knocking on your door to hand you a job. Therefore, you’ll need to get your foot in the door almost any way you can. This may be via work experience, an apprenticeship, traineeship or entry-level position. Once you’re in you’ll be able to develop competencies and get the experience necessary for you to advance in your career. So experience is all about realising your knowledge and skills into work.
4. Self understanding: Do you rather work individually or with people? This means are you introvert or extrovert? When you posses self understanding is you know how you want to work. This can involve environment, conditions and even colleagues. If you know this about yourself it is easy to judge if you fit in a company or not.

Now if you look witch kind of knowledge you posses you can start using it for different targets. If you want to use it for a career switch it is important to make a list containing:

• The highest level of education you have achieved
• The skills you have learned and developed
• What experience you have
• How you prefer to work
• With what kind of organisation you would like to work
• What your motivation is
• What you need to develop yourself to reach your goals

Self knowledge is also applicable for job applications and apprenticeship assessments. Here you must show why you are the right one for that job. Convincing a person can only be realised if you know yourself well. When applying for a job or apprenticeship, showcase the following things about yourself:

• Point out your ambitions and motivation
• You properties and skills
• Show the right work level
• Show how the company fits you
• Be honest

Self-knowledge is mostly used to improve or change things in life. If you have motivation problems at work or school, self knowledge can help identify what is. This is the time to find out if you want something different and change it. Most of the time making changes cost time and effort, but at the end you will end up much happier than before. So take a closer look in the mirror next time you feel uncertain about your carreer choices.