How Goals Guide Your Job Search

Goal setting is a crucial component of the job search. Goals help you clarify your wants and needs in a new position or career field and ultimately guide your job search. Learn how to let the process of goal setting push you toward progress and focus your efforts.

Goals Clarify Your Vision

Job seekers need to be able to envision what they want and need from a career. Goals should outline your career aspirations. Rely on your goals to clarify if certain positions are a good fit for you. Before you apply, read through your goals to evaluate if the company or duties of the position are ideal for your skills and experience. It is tempting to automatically push the "apply" button during an online search, but if the position is not in line with your goals, then you could be wasting your time on an opportunity that is not ideal.

Goals Help to Focus Your Search

When performing an online search, it is unlikely you enter the term "job." Your search parameters are more likely to focus on specific positions that lead to more targeted results. Your goals are designed to guide you in the same manner. They specify what you are seeking in a career and limit the parameters of your search. When you find yourself wasting hours looking through job descriptions and advertisements that are not a good fit, read back through your goals to adjust your focus. Break down your goals even further by identifying professionals in your network or specific companies you prefer to work for to minimize your frustration and realign your focus.

Goals Keep You Grounded

If you have been immersed in the job search longer than you anticipated, it is likely you may begin to stray from reality when considering job prospects. Allow your goals to keep you grounded and realistic. Take a close look at what you are doing that is successful and what you could do to improve your results. Revise your goals so you are keeping yourself accountable. For example, if your goals seem too flexible, then tailor them so you are forced to adhere to a strict schedule. Add time frames to each part of your goals, and share them with a trusted professional to get feedback on the realistic nature of each goal.

Goals Force You to Focus

Job seekers should think of their goals as a rigid list of tasks that must be completed each day. The temptation to sit on the couch and binge watch your favorite television show when you are frustrated with a lack of progress can derail your efforts. Instead, allow your goals to keep you focused on the big picture. If the ultimate goal is to obtain a position in a particular career field, create steps that help you to get to that point. As you complete each step toward your goals, cross it off the list to gain a sense of accomplishment. Goals should propel you forward and make you feel eager to continue with your progress.

Goals Promote Targeted Lists

Job search goals should be specific to be effective. A set of goals that not only focuses on tasks you must complete but also a targeted list of companies you desire to work for in the future can help narrow your search. You can target your daily tasks by researching these companies and learning more about the industry. As a result, you get a clear picture of the missions and goals of these companies to help you decide if one or more is a good fit for your career, your experience and your skills.

The process of searching for a job can be time consuming and challenging. If you keep yourself focused and on target with goals, you have the potential to maximize your results. Allow goals to guide your search so you can keep your efforts in line with your skills and experience.

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