Plan your career goals so you will hear when opportunity KNOCKS!

There’s a saying “He who fails to plan, plans to fail!“

When looking for a job, it pays to have a plan. Even if still employed, spending time planning your career goals is essential.  In fact, you should divide your plans into both short-term and long-term plans.

A short-term plan gets you started on the right track

Take time to analyze what you want to accomplish over the next year.   These plans would be short-term.  Break down those goals into manageable units, such as:

• Resume development
• Researching and applying to a certain number of jobs each week
• Updating your social media profiles to make them more professional.  Create a LinkedIn profile if you don’t currently have one.
• Create a professional website, blog, or online portfolio
• Network and make connections with professionals in your field

Long-term plans means looking into the future

Think about the next five years.  Where do you want to be in your career?  These are long-term plans. Long-term career goals need to be obtainable and realistic.  Interviewers will often ask  “Where do you see yourself in five years?”

Think about your education and practical skills.  Are they sufficient to make you stand out in pursuit of those long-term goals?  If not, consider now the options you have to improve in these areas. If currently employed, can you get tuition assistance to pursue additional education?  Offer to take on new tasks that will give you real work-related experience.

Track trends in the industries you are interested in to identify future opportunities. This will prepare you to network more strategically and engage in informed conversation with potential employers during interviews.

Planning your career goals opens doors to opportunities. And, it is the best indication that you don’t “plan to fail!”

From The Key Corporate Services Blog Team