One of the most important things you can do right now is to take time to plan your career roadmap. Whether you want to change jobs — or careers — or simply get more out of your current job, a career plan is essential to helping you reach your goals.
Below is Step Two of this series: Articulate Your Goal
Think about the job that you want and imagine the possibilities. Then, identify 2-3 goals you want to tackle. Use the S.M.A.R.T. goal system to articulate your goals — goals should be “Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Time-Oriented.”
Let’s imagine that you have worked as an accountant for the past three years, but you really want to work in marketing. Your goal might be: “By this day, I will be working as a Marketing Assistant in a Fortune 1000 company.”
You should also write down why you are interested in making the change. In other words, what is your motivation for taking this path? Another good question to ask yourself is, “How will I know when I’ve achieved my goal(s)?”
Decide what you want and write it in your journal:
What does your ideal employer look like?
- Size
- Industry
- Culture
- Location
How much would your dream job pay? (realistically)
What are the most important benefits — other than salary — that would prompt you to go to work for a new company?
Describe your ideal job:
- What is the job title?
- What responsibilities does it entail?
- Who would you report to?
- Who would report to you?
- Would it involve travel?
- Do you want to work independently, as part of a team, or both?
- Do you like short-term projects or long-term projects?
What do you want your next job to do for you that your last job didn’t do?
Is there anything that you do in your current job that you don’t want to do in your next job?
Did you miss Step One of this career roadmap series? Read it here!
Note: This blog post only touches on certain aspects of this topic and is not a comprehensive list. This blog post is an educational and informational resource for job seekers and is not a substitute for working with a resume writer or other professional. See our Terms and Conditions for additional information.
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