You may or may not have heard the term “SMART” when it comes to goal setting or your job search.
*The letters SMART stand for……
- Specific
- Motivational or Measurable
- Attainable
- Realistic
- Time Specific
Using the “SMART” system in your job search is a powerful way of motivating yourself and progressing your search.
Using this strategy also helps you create a written plan that includes simple goals.
What is a Specific Job Search?
To conduct a specific job search answer these 5 “W” questions:
1. What? What do I want to achieve with my job search
2. Why? Specific reasons for my job targets and search efforts
3. Who? Who are the individuals I need to contact
4. Where? Geographic Location
5. When? Specific date to accept a job offer
What is a Motivational or Measurable job search?
Develop specific criteria for measuring your progress toward finding your new opportunity. If you can’t measure your activity, it is not possible to know whether you’re making progress toward it. Measuring your progress helps you stay on track, reach targeted dates and experience the exhilaration of achievement that encourages you to continue efforts required to keep your search on track.
When you measure your progress and celebrate achievements throughout the search process it also helps motivate you to continue and overcome obstacles, objections and negativity.
Attainable and Realistic
Make sure that your expectations of your skills and talent are in line with the market. You can have exceptional skills but that doesn’t mean it is realistic to expect more money than is in the pay range of your field. Plus if you set your goals too high, you are setting yourself up for disappointment and offending companies that give you realistic offers.
Time Specific
Know your finances well enough to know that if you hesitate too long waiting for “the perfect job”, you will cause financial hardship on yourself. Sometimes taking a few pennies less is better than the additional risk of being unemployed longer.
Always try to stay positive with your job search! It can be discouraging at times but if you stick with it and use a plan of strategy you will see results!
*Barb Bruno – Career Advisor – Candidate Next Step – May 6, 2015