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!
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