Clarify your Goal : Levett Career Center : Hanover College

Clarify your Goal

Greetings! I hope your summer is going well.

Job Search Tip: Clarify your goal

Having trouble figuring out what type of work you would enjoy? First, remember that you are not attempting to name a single job that is the only one in the world that would make you happy; most people have an array of related possible career interests, each sharing characteristics that would make them satisfied with their work. For example, if you know that you enjoy children, athletics, and event planning, you might like working for Special Olympics, running an after-school program, or teaching school while coaching volleyball. So when you're exploring your career interests, look for that level of insight; it's great to have options! Focusing on a goal is well worth the effort; you both shine a spotlight on the traits that you need to land a job in that field and can more easily discover where to search for it. There are several ways to narrow your focus to the array of characteristics that suits you:

Visit O*Net to compare jobs and to search for those that match your interests. Enter a job that might serve as a good starting place, and look at the related jobs that it suggests. Explore those, and the jobs related to them, until you have found a handful that you would enjoy. You can also enter key words that you enjoy and explore that way.

Look for insight through the choices you've made: how do you spend your free time when you feel the time is well-spent? When have your "peak experiences" occurred, when you became absorbed by an activity because it was deeply rewarding, fun or challenging? For example, what attracted you to your major?

Sift your past activities for ideas: make a list of the jobs, volunteer activities and leadership positions that you've had. For each, list 1) the aspects you enjoyed most about it and 2) the things you wish had been true about it (for example, if the hours were bad, note that you like flexible hours; if the supervision was poor, note that you like clear expectations and regular feedback). Comb back through your lists and choose your top 5 traits so that you're ready for the next tip:

Join LinkedIn/ HanoverCAN! You can post questions to the group to get advice directly from alumni professionals who want to assist you. It's easy: Go to LinkedIn, complete your PROFESSIONAL profile (please use proper punctuation/grammar), and search for the Hanover Career Alumni Network group, or search for my name/profile. Start a discussion by listing the types of traits you'd like your job to have and ask alumni to suggest fields that fit. They may even have job leads for you!

Are you still clueless? Consider taking the Strong Interest Inventory, offered free to alumni by appointment (phone consultations are possible).

Remember to let us know if you've found a position since graduation! We'd love to share your good news and encourage each other!

Good luck and keep in touch!
Margaret