A questionnaire for Self-Evaluation
The Czech Module
Introduction
The Czech module for self-evaluation is primarily aimed at those lacking higher
education or higher vocational qualifications. This includes clients with basic, secondary education. The module may be of most benefit for unemployed people seeking to return to the labour market and who wish to assess their abilities against current labour market needs. This group may include, for example, women returning to work after a period of maternity leave.
The module is designed to allow the self-assessment of strengths and weaknesses and to improve self-confidence and work motivation.
Completion of the module can assist applicants in returning to work, developing self-employment or progressing to further education and training.
Expected Outcomes
The outcomes of the module are a description of strengths and weaknesses in key competences.
This includes the:
• identification of previous educational achievement and of vocational qualifications;
• description of previous work experience and competences acquired; • identification of certified further knowledge, skills and competences; • information about the health of the applicant;
• basic assessment of knowledge and competences which are not formally certified.
Description of the tools
The module is based on a self-evaluation questionnaire. It is conceived as an auxiliary tool which should enable applicants to reflect on their career and its further development. The aim of the questionnaire is to promote self-confidence and work motivation and to help clients identify their abilities and determine what type of job they are qualified for. For that reason it is important to assist clients in identifying what abilities are needed for particular jobs and to consider the possibility of further education and training in areas in which they feel they have shortcomings.
The questionnaire consists of ten relatively independent sections focused on the following areas:
• school education, professional, practical experience and foreign language knowledge;
• general abilities, skills and practice; • personal aptitudes;
• work and life attitudes and experience; • experience with modern technologies; • interest in different types of work;
• interest in work in different employment sectors; • further skills;
• health;
• assessment of future plans.
The following example shows the questions in the section on experience with modern technologies.
WORK WITH MODERN TECHNOLOGY
A wide range of jobs require the use of modern technologies. Theses questions are designed to help you checking your skills.
Can I use the current ICT means? Please answer the following questions.
a) Have you ever worked with a photocopier? YES NO
b) Do you use fax? YES NO
c) Do you use electronic mail? YES NO
d) Can you use the Internet? YES NO
e) Can you type? YES NO
f) Can you use computer? YES NO
g) Can you use the computer programme Word? YES NO
h) Can you use the computer programme Excel? YES NO
i) Can you make your own web pages? YES NO
How to use the questionnaire
The module has been piloted in the Czech Republic through the public sector labour offices. Work with the self-evaluation questionnaire is supervised by counsellors and labour office employees.
The following guidelines outline how the questionnaire should be used:
• Use the questionnaire from the first contact with applicants to develop an initial profile of the applicant;
• The use of the questionnaire should be voluntary. It is important to explain the aim and purpose of the questionnaire to applicants before its use and that applicants are aware that reflecting on some of the questions may cause them personal distress; • Motivate applicants to answer all the questions objectively and assure them that the
results are solely for their personal benefit;
• Make clear to applicants that if they are not happy with the questionnaire or with individual questions they are free to stop;
• Assist applicants in completing the questionnaire and discuss individual questions gradually and discreetly. Counsellors or Labour office employees should make notes on the abilities of applicants on the basis of observations of applicants during
discussions;
• Develop a personal, friendly and calm atmosphere during self-evaluation, use an individual approach for each client and take his or her current needs into account; • Compare data gained from applicants with information available from other
information sources and from discussions during answering questions. Ending the process
Work on the module is completed with an analysis of outcomes based on the
self-evaluation, information from other sources and the notes of the counsellor. The aim of the analysis is to provide positive guidance to increase the self-confidence and motivation of applicants.
In cooperation with the applicants, counsellors should propose positive and concrete actions aimed at future employment. This may include recommendations for special assistance and intervention, chances for further education, and contact with potential employers.
Strengths and weaknesses
Introducing self-evaluation tools and processes through labour offices improves the quality of services for job seekers and also develops a self-evaluation culture for unemployed people. It enables them to address the issue of labour market success from the viewpoint of their personal requirements and opportunities.
The module and tools are based on a partnership between counsellors and labour office clients. Labour offices treat each client individually.
In addition to formal qualifications and previous employment individuals are able to evaluate their work and life experience, personal abilities, needs, interests and future wishes and expectations.
Cooperation between clients and counsellors in completing the self-evaluation module assists clients to acquire basic skills in self-reflection and self-assessment. Clients learn about the requirements of employers and are provided with recommendations as to how they can meet these requirements
However use of the module has been constrained by time limitations on counsellors who provide self-evaluation services for clients and, at present, the training of counsellors does not include sufficient attention to self-evaluation.
There is a danger that clients may feel some of the questions infringe of their personal privacy.
Nevertheless the self-evaluation module could be of great value if used in the broader context of professional orientation either for careers guidance for young people or for those seeking to change jobs.
Contact:
Romana Jezberova
National Institute of Technical and vocational Education Weilova 1271/6,
CZ- 102 Praha 10 [email protected] Links to the tools
Title Language
Module of general self evaluation English
Self evaluation questionnaire English
Module of computer aided self evaluation English
Jobtip computer programme English
Modul orientacního sebehodnocení Czech
Benchmarks English
SWOT analysis English
