Daniel Scocco's Approach to Setting GoalsIs your job search taking longer than you expected? Or do you just want to start out in the right direction?

Let Master Blogger Daniel Scocco‘s universal goal-setting tips guide you.

Why is having goals important?

Let's say you and I both need groceries. We go to the same supermarket but you actually have a list of items to buy and only 90 minutes before you need to be elsewhere.

Who is more likely to finish first, with the desired purchases in hand?

Are goals and objectives the same?

Most job seekers usually say the same thing about goals- “my goal is simple: to find a job”.

Well, yes and no.

I like to distinguish between your job search objective – a position which you might put directly on your resume – and job search goals such as better pay.

3 Qualities of Good Goals

In his article Blogging Strategy: Goals, Daniel explains how…

Goals must be measurable

For this to happen, a goal must have a number attached to it so that you always know immediately whether you've reached it or not.

Some sample job search goals:

  • 4 weeks of vacation
  • 10% increase in salary from last job
  • New work found in less than 6 months

Isabella Mori's 3 Key Resume Questions also has some good numbers to use on your job search.

Goals must be consistent

Your goals should be attainable together without any contradictions, which increases the chance of you being able to achieve all of them. Otherwise, when faced with a job opportunity you'll always have the feeling that you're settling for less than you should.

If being paid a standard hourly rate is normal for you, will it help to dream of a 50% pay raise while only working half time?

Goals should be realistic

I like what Daniel says here: “Goals must be realistic and achievable, otherwise they will discourage rather than motivate you. Do not worry about stretching it a little bit, just make sure that you are not overshooting.”

In 2006, the average job search in France lasted 6-9 months. In that situation, you'd better have a really good reason for believing you can find a new job in as little as 1-2 months.

Bonus – Don't confuse goals with requirements

When I first moved to France in 1999 after completing my Israeli army service, one of my goals was to find a job that would allow me to leave early on Fridays and not work on Saturdays or Jewish holidays. At least, that's what I told myself at the time. The fact is, I could never have accepted a position that would have needed me to do those things.

Another example. If your previous income could barely support your lifestyle, accepting a job with a lower salary is not an option since it will put you in stressful debt. You may tell yourself that it's temporary but if that's the case, why not ‘temporarily' wait a little bit longer for a better job opening that will pay you enough?

Moral of the story: Goals can be given up, requirements cannot.

Want to be a goal scorer? Subscribe to JobMob via RSS or email for the right exercises to hit your targets.

Jacob Share

Job Search Expert, Professional Blogger, Creative Thinker, Community Builder with a sense of humor. I like to help people.

This Post Has 7 Comments

  1. Bigg Success

    Great post! I particularly liked your point about the difference between goals and requirements. If your goals aren’t congruent with your core values, you’ll never feel fulfilled – no matter how successful you may be at work.

  2. Jo

    The best way to start looking for a job is to start! There is nothing like activity to help clarify what we want!

    The mouse runs harder when it sees the cheese and we know when we want something – we start chasing it like mad.

    Until then, it is figuring it out time! Get into market and start meeting people. Practice pitching. It’s painful at first, but what the heck. How did everyone else get where they are? The same way!

  3. As a Work/Life Navigation career coach, when a client tells me the goal is to get a job, I reply, “That means you will go to bed every night but one, disappointed”.

    The goals, in addition to being measurable, as you are correct in observing, need to be specific and incremental. Five thank you letters, three referral request letters, five phone contact initiations, etc..

    That way the seeker can feel good about having accomplished something daily.

    Finding work for pay is the result of the process.

    By the way I tell folks to look for work, not a job; let the market tell you the structure of the work. Whether it’s a contract with a client, or a job with an employer, it’s an assignment, work.

    Nice piece of work yourself.

  4. Jacob Share

    Jo- you’re right. People need to get out and try things, there are no secrets.

    Leanderthal- thanks.

    I like what you said about looking for work, not a job. That’s a good distinction you make, I’ll keep that in mind.

  5. Kate

    I’m trying to apply these strategies to selling my book Love From Planet Wine Cooler.

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