For a successful job search, create a Job Search Goal (JSG)

Being clear about what you want from your next role can help you secure the job you want – faster.

Without it and you risk an ineffective and protracted job search.

Many people scour LinkedIn and other job sites, applying for roles that may or may not meet their (unwritten) needs and hoping that’ll be enough to land a job.

The problem with this approach is that it’s a lot of effort for little reward.

It can also result in a decline in the quality of applications as you rush to apply for as many jobs as possible.

And lower-quality applications mean fewer interviews!

So what needs to change?

A successful job search starts with clarity about what you really want.  In other words, a Job Search Goal (JSG).

This is a statement of intent about everything you’d love your next job to offer you, including things like:

• The type of job you’d like to do:
  • Is it the same as you’re currently doing, or something different?
  • And if you fancy a change, how will you get the skills needed to do the job you want?

• The type of company you want to work for:
  •  Creative or traditional. Secure or entrepreneurial? Offering good benefits or with a focus on salary?

• Where you want to work – both geographically and culturally.

• How you want to work – from home, an office, a park, the beach!

👉🏻 A JSG is aspirational. It’s a wish list. But it’s not set in stone.

It’s a starting point, to be adapted as you get feedback from employers, recruiters and the wider marketplace about what’s achievable for your mix of skills, experience and talents.

For example:

• Is your salary expectation realistic?
• Are the jobs you’re looking for, in the location you’re searching, available?
• Do you need to retrain or upskill?
• What kind of feedback are you getting following interviews?
• Are recruiters advising you to re-assess your expectations about things like job level, salary etc.?

A job search goal needs to be continually reviewed to ensure it’s realistic.

To create one, think about things like:

1. What you enjoy: How do you want to spend your working day/life? Are you happy with your career choices so far? Or do you need a change? Have you thought about going it alone - so self-employment?

2. Type of job: Consider the type of job you’d like to secure. If you can do several different jobs within your profession, write down the job titles you’re interested in. Or even a description of the sort of duties you’d like to be doing.

3. Salary & benefits: Add the minimum salary you want and the type of benefits – things like a pension scheme, generous holidays, free meals, flexible hours, working from anywhere, etc.

4. Organisation: What kind? Small or large, private, public or voluntary sector. Entrepreneurial or more risk averse. Multi-national or not. And so on.

5. Industry sector: For example, manufacturing, technology, oil and gas, construction, finance etc.

6. Daily commute: How long are you willing to spend commuting every day/week?

7. Working conditions: Terms & conditions of employment such as working hours, the environment and culture of an organisation, salary and overtime arrangements. And less tangible conditions like support for those with dependants (including working parents), inclusion and diversity practices, sabbatical leave, career development opportunities and job security.

8. Target date – to focus your efforts, set a date you can work towards by which you'd like to have secured a job.

Remember, everything about your JSG can change. It’s a moving feast that has to adapt to the job market conditions.

A job search requires an inordinate amount of time and energy. But lots of time can be wasted when job seekers focus their energy in the wrong places, looking for the wrong jobs.

Defining what you want in a JSG is a good starting point to give your search focus and direction.

Spending time on this can pay dividends by shortening your job search and helping you get a job you really love.