Part II: 5 Goal-Setting Tips for Job Searching Success in 2018

December 26th, 2017 by ifi-admin

Photo abstractly showing the bright future for job seekers in 2018 through effective goal settingIn our last installment, we suggested that you take some time as the year winds down to review and define your career goals by being specific, examining your motivation, assessing the obstacles to achieving these goals and brainstorming ways to overcome the obstacles.

As we approach the end of the year, many people will be making New Year’s resolutions. Forbes Magazine reports that while 40% of the American population make New Year’s Resolutions each year, only 8% achieve their goals.

Why do so few succeed? According to the article, which surveyed the research on how the brain looks for answers, the trick is to keep it simple and make it tangible.

We’ll look at how this might apply to your career goals in 2018.

1. Create the Master Plan but Keep It Simple: If you want to succeed with your career goals, do not load yourself up with a bucket list of disparate goals for the year. Devote your focus and your intent to your job search, and map out what you think it will take to succeed. Create a master plan that builds logically on the elements that formulate success. In this plan, outline the discoveries you made in your review, and the action steps required to overcome obstacles. Put this plan in writing.

2. Create the Room, and Routine, to Succeed: If from your 2017 career review you’ve determined you’d like to begin a job search targeted at specific companies, now is the time to schedule blocks of time each week to make progress. For example, you may set aside a set number of hours each week and if possible, specific times of the day to review new job postings, research employers, chat with your recruiter, brush up your resume or work toward any certifications that will enhance your candidacy. Be realistic and give yourself time to make incremental progress toward finding exactly the right fit for your next career move.

3. Set Concrete Milestones: Setting vague or unrealistic goals is the cause of many failed New Year’s resolutions. Just like in business, personal goals need measurable elements to map the path to success. In this case, once you’ve mapped out your master action plan, formulate a way to measure your progress each week or month. Assign yourself a number of companies to research and a number of resume submissions to make. Trust that with dedicated effort, you will ultimately succeed in your career goals. Hold yourself accountable to your milestones.

4. Physically Track Your Progress: Whether it’s milestones written into your planner or on a dedicated cork board, being able to visually see the progress you’re making can move you forward. Posting visible reminders of your goals and the practice of telling others your plans creates a sense of accountability that will help you stay on track.

5. Be Flexible…and Unstoppable: Perfect plans are subject to the real world and sometimes it seems like “life” keeps moving the goal posts. On one hand, expect the unexpected and be prepared to be flexible with yourself. Revise your goals when new conditions or opportunities arise. On the other hand, be unstoppable in moving toward your goals. Setbacks are only failures if you stop trying.

If you need some help setting goals, or you are motivated to make a career move in 2018, please feel free to Contact Us today and get started!