Finding a life long career can be like looking at a map. You can zoom in on a job or specific quality for a detailed view or zoom out to see the industry or overall personality for a more complete view. An up-close view helps to focus on current needs, while a wide view focuses on your future goals. It’s never too early or too late to zoom out. You can see the bigger picture as well as how current actions affect your future plans.
Each choice you make, whether that be seeking opportunities that fill immediate wants and needs or focusing on opportunities that would move you towards your future goals, is imprinted on your road map.
Each choice you make, whether that be seeking opportunities that fill immediate wants and needs or focusing on opportunities that would move you towards your future goals, is imprinted on your road map.
The first step in creating your road map is to consider your passions and activities, then take an inventory of your current skills and assets.
Next, research positions that you are interested in and review your current skills in conjunction with those required for that position. Do they align? Do you see gaps? If so, how will you fill in the gaps?
Once you have an understanding of your current skills and your desired job, it’s time to decide your needs and wants. Needs are things like food, water, shelter, while wants are things like filet mignon, sparkling water, or a penthouse. Are your immediate needs being met? If so, you may be seeking a job to further your career goals. If they are not being met you need to focus on landing a job quickly so that they are. Needs and wants will determine your goals, so it is imperative to have a clear vision and understanding of what these are.
Next, research positions that you are interested in and review your current skills in conjunction with those required for that position. Do they align? Do you see gaps? If so, how will you fill in the gaps?
Once you have an understanding of your current skills and your desired job, it’s time to decide your needs and wants. Needs are things like food, water, shelter, while wants are things like filet mignon, sparkling water, or a penthouse. Are your immediate needs being met? If so, you may be seeking a job to further your career goals. If they are not being met you need to focus on landing a job quickly so that they are. Needs and wants will determine your goals, so it is imperative to have a clear vision and understanding of what these are.
Next, create a timeline based on your wants and needs. Your timeline can be immediate (within the next 6 months) or long term (several years or decades) depending on your goals. Your goals may be to afford basic necessities (rent, utilities, groceries) or to purchase a Tesla. You may strive for financial breathing room or to build a sustainable future for your family. Creating a timeline can help to keep you accountable and focused.
The path to achieving your goals will vary, but the general principle of creating and maintaining goals along with following your timeline will lead to success.
Building a career road map will lead you down various avenues, working forward towards an intent or backward from a physical goal. Even if the destination is unclear having a precise understanding of your immediate goals, wants, needs, and work/life balance requirements will help to gain a better perspective and path when starting your job search.
The path to achieving your goals will vary, but the general principle of creating and maintaining goals along with following your timeline will lead to success.
Building a career road map will lead you down various avenues, working forward towards an intent or backward from a physical goal. Even if the destination is unclear having a precise understanding of your immediate goals, wants, needs, and work/life balance requirements will help to gain a better perspective and path when starting your job search.
Take a moment before your next job search to think beyond being employed. Instead, think about what you want your future to look like and how a position will impact your desired outcome.
What comes to mind? How does it affect your finances? Your family? Your home and social life? Contemplating the impact of a new position is an important step in understanding your priorities and long-standing wants/needs. Once you have a clear picture, you can begin to look closer at the types of jobs and positions that will support these ideas.
Addressing your current needs is important and necessary, but strategic planning for the future will end in long-term satisfaction. The best way to achieve this outcome is by creating a road map, building on each moment to ensure your path continues to connect you towards your future goals, dreams, relationships, and the perfect job.
Written by: Jenna Evans, Employment Specialist
Addressing your current needs is important and necessary, but strategic planning for the future will end in long-term satisfaction. The best way to achieve this outcome is by creating a road map, building on each moment to ensure your path continues to connect you towards your future goals, dreams, relationships, and the perfect job.
Written by: Jenna Evans, Employment Specialist
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