Do people ever know enough about themselves to determine the direction of their career journey? Due to global competition, new technologies, a grim economic outlook and changes in the way we work, the career journey in the 21st century is increasingly through uncharted territory. You cannot expect to find a suitable job in the 21st century using the mindset and methodologies of the 20th century. The 20th century was the age of the industrial and technology revolution. The dawn of the 21st century is seeing economies driven by knowledge and intellectual capital.

Individuals must therefore expand awareness of themselves. They must recognise their interests and the importance of those interests to their career satisfaction and achieving career goals. They must identify their strengths and weaknesses in relation to their interests, and the ways in which their interests and abilities are applicable in the changing social, economic, and work environments. This is called self-knowledge and it is a critical competency in charting career success.

An increased understanding of yourself and its effect on roles and relationships has tremendous influence on career maturity. Self-knowledge is something that has many applications in search of a successful career. Historical self-knowledge is an understanding of past experiences and influences that has led you to your current level of development, success and failure and it is a vital key to shaping the future. Self-knowledge also helps you to discover your passion!

Ask any first-time job seeker or career-changer the main reason employers rejected them and the most common reason will be "lack of experience." Although this may seem unfair to the applicant who has worked hard to acquire appropriate qualifications and maybe some experience, it should not be a surprise that employers value truly experienced workers. Experience is integral to knowing and understanding oneself and how one relates to different situations, circumstances, and roles.

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