Setting Job Search Goals in the New Year

I don’t know about you but I’ve found that the older I get the more I need to write things down. If I don’t do this I find that my thoughts and activities are scattered. Goal setting helps here.

Every January when I worked in a business environment, I got used to writing formal annual goal statements. It was part of the culture and while I (and everyone else) was never in the mood to do it, we put aside the time to design a specific road map for the year ahead. I even taught a class about it.

Even now when no one is looking over my shoulder, I actually look forward to getting my 2017 goals down on paper and starting the year with a fresh direction. It’s not too difficult if you make your goals SMART. SMART is the acronym for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Timely. 

Goals aren’t just for work or for your job search; they help in all parts of your life. Here’s an example of one of my personal goals. In the spring of 2017 we are putting our house on the market. Obviously there’s a lot of tasks to do between January and March. One easier task is to clean out my hall coat closet. “To make a SMART goal for that task I’d write out: 

Clean out and organize the hall coat closet by January 31, 2017. This includes:
1. Sort coats, gloves/mittens and hats by size by Friday January 6, 2017.
2. Organize coats, gloves/mittens and hats to donate or throw away by January 13, 2017.
3. Donate usable coats, mittens or hats to Good Will by January 20, 2017. Bag and toss remaining items into the receptacle in the Pep Boys parking lot on the same day.
4. Clean, sweep and paint closet by January 27, 2017.

Setting goals for your job search is important in that it will help you visualize your future, clarify the steps to take, and focus on dates. Within this context, your goals should be written in specific terms, have precise time frames, and they should be measurable. A specific goal tells you exactly what you want to accomplish. It's helpful to break each broad job search goal statement into manageable smaller statements. This step not only keeps you on track, but it allows you to feel a sense of accomplishment when each step is achieved. A time-oriented goal statement should include specific target dates and the approximate time you will need to complete each of the steps. Here’s a sample that breaks down the steps needed to write a resume.

Prepare final version of resume by January 25, 2012.

1. Identify areas of expertise and accomplishments by January 11, 2017.
2. Choose resume template by January 11, 2017.
3. Identify job specific key words by January 11, 2017.
4. Create career history using key words by January 11, 2017.
5. Create summary statement using key words/phrases by January 12, 2017.
6. Type first draft using selected template by January 12, 2012.
7. Review and get objective feedback from contacts A, B and C by January 20, 2017.
8. Type final version by January 25, 2017.
This example is for just one step of the job search process - writing the resume. You should to go through the same steps for career assessment, networking, designing your LinkedIn profile or planning for your interview.

If you have any questions on using goal setting for your job search, please let me know. Happy New Year!

Defining Resume Requirements Through Performance Management

For many years I worked in the Human Resources and Learning & Development departments for a very prominent pharmaceutical corporation. One of my tasks was designing, training and implementing a performance management program. A performance management program is the annual cycle of an employee’s performance to include goal setting, coaching, performance appraisal and career development. I loved designing that program and felt that it was very beneficial to both the staff and the management team.

Today I no longer work in that field but realize that many of the components of that program fit into the job search arena; specifically for resume design and interviewing. Think of these steps for both your former jobs, volunteering or other outside professional activities.

1.    Goals Setting: In Performance Management we used the SMART acronym to write out goals that were Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic and Timely. SMART goals were never vague and were very easy to measure. You could “see” someone managing a project but you could never “see” someone understanding the steps involved in project management. In relation to job search, specifically resume writing, it’s important to look at the accomplishments within your job. What were they specifically? How did you measure or define success? Think of the SMART acronym to define your accomplishments.

2.    Coaching: If you were ever lucky enough to receive feedback from your manager, you learned about the tasks you were doing right and those that could use some improvement. What were you doing right? Why? What made it great? Use these as accomplishments for your resume. 

3.    Performance Appraisals. I used to tell people to keep a “Me File”; a file that contained thank you notes, letters of recommendations, awards, etc. that you could use and share with your manager in preparation for the appraisal. Getting back to the job search, keep a similar file and use this data to help populate your accomplishment-rich resume. If you can, gather your past appraisals to refresh your memory about all of your accomplishments.

4.    Career Development: Career development wasn’t just about sending someone to a course. It was also giving someone an opportunity to cross train or mentor someone or even lead a project of group. These are areas that can be applied to your resume as well. What classes can you add to your resume? What developmental activities can you apply to your resume? Were you a mentor? 

I mentioned that the steps to performance management are beneficial to resume writing and interviewing. The preparation that you take to write your resume is also preparing you to participate in an interview. You will notice real life examples of your accomplishments as you go through these notes.

What if your company didn’t use a performance management program? While unfortunate and harder to dig up data, try to remember your accomplishments and think of the impact these made on the business. In the meantime, if you are currently employed, keep a “Me File” and keep it filled with your accolades, kudos, thanks, training or development activities. Thinking like this will help keep you from getting stuck coming up with accomplishments.