personal goals and career planning basic concepts

Personal Goals and Career Planning

Basic Concepts


Establishing Goals: Goal

The purpose of any plan or action.

Short-Term Goal One of a series of accomplishments that add up to a specific

achievement.

Long-Term Goal A goal that has existed over an extended period of time.

Strategy The decision of how to accomplish an objective.


Establishing Goals: Planning Goals

The small steps you must take to get from where you are now to where you want to be.

Self Assessment Profile of your talents, interests, abilities, aptitudes, and

experiences.


Why Set Goals? Goals allow you to arrange a life with a clear

purpose and/or destination. Goals turn dreams into desires so that, with work,

you can accomplish something. Goals allow you to prioritize the responsibilities

and obligations in your life and spend your time wisely.

Goals help you set a plan of action that will guide you into a brighter future.


The Process of Establishing a Goal: Plan

Self-assessment Develop personal action plan

Research Career exploration

Review


Benefits of Short-Term Goals: Divide a long term goal into manageable pieces Focus energy on smaller, specific steps to achieve

a long term goal Better manage your time Setting and achieving short-term goals enables

you to reach long-term goals Specific ways to evaluate progress toward a long-

term goal


Benefits of Short-Term Goals: In the evaluation process, if one short-term goal

does not work, another can be set without losing sight of the long-term goal


Characteristics of an Effective Goal:

Stated in clear terms Realistic and believable

You must believe that you can reach the goal

Attainable and Reliable Must have interests, skills, abilities and strengths to make it

happen


Characteristics of an Effective Goal: Measurable

Goals can be accomplished within a certain time or in a quantity that can be calculated

Desirable


Career Planning: A process in which a student learns about

himself/herself, the world of work, and the relationship between the two

Should begin as early as possible Could change a numerous amount of times


Career Decision Making: Life-long process Beliefs, values, skills, aptitudes, interests Involves your past, present, and future work role Career plan may change when significant new

information, interests, or desires appear


Four Steps for Career Planning:1. Self-assessment

Honestly determine talents, interests, skills, values, personality.

2. Career Exploration Investigate all career choices, options, and opportunities of interest.

3. Goal setting Establish intermediate short-range and long-range goals. Develop a

Personal Action Plan,” matching at your own special strengths and weaknesses to the many options and choices of careers.

4. Evaluation Periodically evaluate your plan using a time log.


Getting Ready to Join the Workforce: Identify long-range goal Set short-term goals Develop a career plan Update information from earlier career plans Create a career portfolio

Collection of information that demonstrates your talents, interests, abilities, achievements, and experiences


Researching a Career: The best way to learn about a career is by working

in it The more careers you are aware of, the better

your chances of finding one that is right for you Libraries and the Internet are two good places to

research careers


Researching a Career: Consider Working Environment

Indoor vs. outdoor Sitting vs. standing Extreme hot vs. cold environment

Consider Desired Lifestyle Family Friends Leisure activities Spiritual well-being Career


Job Search Sources: Internet Trade Magazines Friends and family School counselors and teachers Private employment agencies Newspaper advertisements/want ads Networking Bulletin boards


Landing a Job

Job Application Use black ink Leave no blanks Keep it neat!


Landing a Job

Letter of Application This is your best chance

to make the case and tell the potential employerwhy you’re a perfect matchfor the job. Be specific abouthow your skill set matchesthe abilities required for the position, and about why you want the job (and not just “to make money”).


Landing a Job

Resume Be honest, but not

overly modest! List experiences and personal

qualities that would make you a great employee.

No typos or errors inspelling or grammar!


Landing a Job

Job Interview Most employers choose the best

and most qualified candidates for the job but also the most “personable” candidates

Ask questions about the position Remain confident Admit your limitations

personal goals and career planning basic concepts

Documents

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longterm goalpersonal

career planningcharacteristics

career choices

career explorationinvestigate

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