Why a Great Job Search Goal Will Get You Hired Faster

Why a Great Job Search Goal Will Get You Hired Faster Why a Great Job Search Goal Will Get You Hired Faster Developing  a  clear  job search goal  is a key step before you  begin hunting for your next career move.  It is important to know how to  create  a great job goal,  not just a good one. Many  job seekers out there are applying to  positions  without a clear  sense  as to what they want to do next.  Others  have  what they think is a  job  goal, but  it’s  poorly defined.     I recently  met  Pamela  who sent her  résumé  to  nine different job postings and got no results.  After  working  with her, I discovered she had applied to be a  project manager, a  sales representative, and a  business operations manager.  And,  while she  may be  qualified for all, she  didnt have a focus  or  a  compelling story about  any of them. The solution  to this  situation  is that  prior to applying to any  position  in the future,  you have  to develop your  job search goal.     Ineffective Job Search Goals     Sometimes it helps to know  what a  job search  goal  is  NOT.  Here are  real responses to the question: “What  type of position are you looking for?”   A challenging position where I can leverage my skills and where theres an opportunity for growth.   Something in the fashion business. I can do anything.  I know I don’t want to do retail.     Neither  of these are acceptable goals.  Let’s  break  them  down.     Saying you are looking for a  â€œchallenging position”  is  classic.  This  response  has  no specifics.  Who would ever ask for a non-challenging position?  When indicating that you want to “leverage my skills,”  you need to understandâ€"and this may come as a shockâ€"the job search process  isn’t  about you. Its about you fitting into an  employer’s  need.  Avoid the “l-word,” “leverage” altogether.   Where it  mentions  â€œopportunity for growth,”  realize that there is opportunity  in any company. You may  want  upward mobility  but  keep  those  desires  to yourself. You dont want to come across like youre going to take this job and ask for a promotion in six months.  The  opportunity for growth  is  what you make of the  position  after you  land  it.     Indicating that you are looking for  â€œsomething in the fashion business”  is too  broad. You can state an industry, but an industry is not a job. Focus more on the function of the department versus the industry.     One of the  worst  things you can say is,  â€œI can do anything.”  First, you can’t do  everything.  Second, it  sends  a signal of  â€œI dont know,”  or  â€œIm desperate.”  It shows you  may lack  focus and  could be a  high-risk hire.  Finally, no one wants to hear what you don’t want to do.     A  Great Job  Search  Goal Statement     Ok,  so how do you go about setting a  solid  job search goal? Here are two tricks to developing a great job goal statement:     Err on the very specific side. You can always edit it later.  It is much harder to take a ‘squishy’ goal and  try to get specific.   Read  your  stated  goal to friends and family  for  input. See if they understand it the first time without any explanation.     To create a great job search goal, you need  to  window shop  your industry  and narrow down your job goals.  Window shopping  means  learning what the market is looking for, learning the current terminology  and buzzwords,  identifying the top skills, and listing out key words and phrases. Narrow down your job search goals  by  scouring the internet for  possible functions, occupations and vocations. Look through job search websites (don’t apply, just read job descriptions).  Print out 10 jobs that interest you and circle keywords they have in common.  Read job descriptions in their entirety; identify the functions, occupations or tasks you could see yourself doing…every day.     Fill in the blanks  to craft your new job search goal:   I’m seeking a function position in the industry with a size corporation in city.     Now, let’s practice:       Question:    Pamela, what type of role are you looking for?   Pamela’s new answer:    Thank you for asking! I’m seeking a digital marketing manager position in the technology industry with a large company here in Chicago.       Question:    Wow, great, and can you give me some company names you are targeting?   Pamela:    Well, yes, company, company and company.   Do you know anyone at these companies who I may contact?       See where this is going?  The clearer  and  more  prepared you are to engage with your network, recruiters  and total strangers you meet on LinkedIn, the more engagement and results you will get. If you are actively searching today without a  job search  goal, STOP and go  do the goal-setting work.  You can do this!   Join Dana Manciagli’s  Job Search Master Class ®  now  and get the most comprehensive job search system available!