Remember last time we looked into the SWOT analysis to help in identifying opportunities available to you as an individual. We saw how SWOT analysis sets the pace in defining you career. With this is mind, let’s look further into how to set career goals.
The best way of going about this is stating a “career mission statement.” Within this mission statement you should bring to light your intended purpose and set out basic direction you’re going to take. It’ll take more than a week to truly develop a practical career plan, and this is fundamental to mastering the whole thing – personal development plan.
Personalizing your Career Path
I know a lot of people will be tempted to personalize other people’s career paths, but I must say that is suicidal. You know what, it’s good to have role models but to try and live their lives can be a dangerous thing. First of all, you only know their public selves which is undeniably the outcome of their inner secret life.
Somebody once said, “Stop trying to be somebody because everybody is taken.” The idea is not to fake personalities.
For a comprehensive CAREER MISSION STATEMENT according to James Manktelow the following questions should be used as a guide:
- What do you intend to accomplish?
- Why is this important to you?
- What values are at the core of your decision?
- Does this make you feel that you’re making a significant contribution to other people?
- What deep emotional value or meaning does this have for you?
- How do you want others to perceive you?
Identifying a Career Mission Statement
A Career Mission Statement is very personal, which means that there’s no formula for writing one. It’s important to spend some time drafting your Career Mission Statement until it’s punchy and motivating, and it states where you want to go.
To identify your Major Career Goals, ask yourself whether you need to do the following:
- Upgrade your education or qualifications?
- Gain a promotion from your current position?
- Get experience in a particular department?
- Move to a different organization or industry?
- Master a particular skill, or set of skills?
Setting up SMART Goals
As previously indicated you need to familiarize yourselves with an acronym SMART to really succeed in your career planning. Use the SMART mnemonic to set precise, motivating goals. Just to remind you about SMART, it stands for:
- Specific – make sure that your goal focuses on one particular outcome.
- Measurable – there must be a definable end point, so you know exactly when the goal has been accomplished.
- Achievable – you must be reasonably able to accomplish your goal, otherwise it will frustrate you and undermine your self-confidence.
- Relevant – goals must relate to what you’re ultimately trying to achieve.
- Time bound – there has to be a time requirement, otherwise you may ever push yourself to accomplish your goal.