From your
self-assessment,
research, and experience, a picture begins to emerge of the kind of work you would like to do and where you want to do it. Goal setting involves clarifying what you want and breaking it down into short-term and long-term goals. It is important that you're able to clearly articulate this information to anyone willing to listen. This includes employers and interviewers, as well as other contacts you may need in pursuit of employment. At the minimum, the kind of information you need to express with confidence includes the following:
- Major career field target
- Preferred work functions and ideas or issues with which you'd like to work
- Income requirements (consider housing, lifestyle, geography, loans, transportation, salary goals, etc.)
- Geographical requirements (city, rural, mobility, near home, climate, etc.)
- Preferred work environment (size of organization, co-workers, physical facilities, etc.)
- Special needs (training, management development, advancement opportunities, career flexibility, entrepreneurial opportunity, etc.)
- Industry preferences (manufacturing, government, communications, nonprofit, high tech, products, services, etc.)
