Career Planning

During the average lifetime, an adult will have many jobs, several different careers and will spend half their waking hours working. Yet that same person will spend more time watching television in one week than they will spend in their lifetime planning for employment!

Most of this book deals with the goal of finding employment in a generic sense. Finding out which line of work is right for you isn't covered in this section. If you don't have that clearly determined yet, you're encouraged to do so now. Much of what follows cannot be applied until you've decided upon this important goal. Career counselors are available through Minnesota WorkForce Centers, schools, employment service providers and private organizations. There are many books on career planning available through the library or local bookstores.

Job Search Objective

You must have a job goal to conduct an effective job search campaign. You can't set out on a quest for employment looking for just anything. If you do, you will waste a lot of effort. Employers will quickly recognize that you don't know what you want. This is comparable to a salesperson trying to sell a product without knowing its features. Salespeople know what their product can do and they know the market for their product. In the same manner, you need to target your job search campaign to those employers who need your skills and can offer you the opportunities you're seeking.

Simply saying that you're looking for a good job that pays well isn't enough. Identifying the specific types of jobs for which you're qualified will focus your effort to those employers who match your employment objective. Furthermore, when you approach an employer, describe your skills, which will tell them what it is you can do. Tell them the kind of work you're looking for. Don't expect them to analyze your qualifications and tell you where you might fit into their organization. Skills sell the product-- you!

Take the time to think about what you want from that next job. Conditions of employment, wages, location, hours and benefits are important considerations. You may also be looking for job security or advancement potential.

Judy lived in a small town in Minnesota. She went to college and became a certified art therapist. Full of hope, she pursued her dream. However, she never worked as an art therapist. She didn't want to move, but there are not many related jobs in small communities. Her job goal was not achievable because of her location requirement.

Jim was an experienced tool and die maker who was laid off due to a plant closing. He was considered one of the best in his trade and was at the upper end of the pay scale. After investing six months in an exhaustive job search with no success, Jim was forced to reconsider his goals. His question was whether he should lower his expectations or expand the commutable distance he was willing to travel. His decision was to expand the distance, and within a short time he secured employment that met his standards.

Bob had extensive experience making ceramic figures. He mixed materials and extruded them into molds. Once the piece was set, it was then sanded and inspected. Since most ceramic companies are small, Bob was challenged to find opportunities that used his skills. Bob discovered the same basic extruding and finishing operations are used to work with plastics, light metals and even heavy foundry work.

After a long absence to raise her three children, Sue wanted to reenter the workforce. She had no recent employment experience, and her education was outdated. However, Sue has mastered many skills through managing a household on a limited budget and through volunteer work with the YWCA. Through a careful skill assessment and some creativity, Sue was able to identify many skills important to potential employers.

Look for ways to expand your opportunities. This means you may have to make some choices. Goals should be realistic and achievable. Keep this in mind when considering your expectations. A good strategy is to write down all the conditions that you'd like in a job, then categorize them as required, desired and optional. If you find that you aren't getting interviews, or that you aren't finding jobs that meet your expectations, reevaluate your criteria for employment.

Transferable Skills and Your Job Search Goal

Transferable skills are another way to expand your job search. Once you've identified your skills, look for ways they might transfer to other jobs. The transferability of self-management skills is obvious. All employers are looking for motivation and dependability. But many job skills are also transferable, and transferable job skills open doors to new opportunities.

Look for ways that your skills transfer to other employment opportunities. If you decide to pursue these opportunities, your next challenge is to find effective ways to present these skills to a potential employer.

Goal setting is an important part of a successful job search. It's critical that you take the time to establish clear job search goals. This takes research and an honest self-assessment. Consider talking to a professional career counselor and taking career tests (aptitude, interest, values and personality inventory). You will certainly want to research the labor market.

Focus on the job that you plan to pursue right now. Your immediate need for employment should be a step in your long-term career plans.

As you explore your job search goal, you will be considering criteria for the ultimate job. Throughout the process, a healthy dose of reality is important. Remember that your goals must be attainable. If you find your dream job isn't immediately achievable, reevaluate and plan the steps to achieve your goal. Secondary job goals are often among these steps. A secondary goal may include part-time, temporary, evening or contract employment. It may be an opportunity for advancement or self-employment. It may be short-term employment while you pursue other opportunities. Whatever the case, consider secondary goals early in your job search.

The worksheet and checklists at the end of this chapter will help you explore your values and establish your employment goals. Another useful activity is to return to the list of your skills and mark those that you'd like to use in future employment.

You can only hit a target

if you aim for it.

Creative Job Search is a service of the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development.

Ordering the Creative Job Search Guide

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