The Spider – Trapping The New Year Job
You can find a wide variety of spiders in the jungle. They are the largest order of arachnids and rank seventh in total species diversity among all other groups of organisms. To catch a meal, spiders have evolved to be very creative predators. Some spiders jump, others chase or fish, a few can create traps in the ground or leaves, and many can even mimic other insects. The most common image of a spider is one who has woven a web to catch their prey. There are hundreds of different kinds of webs and ways that spiders use them. But to be a successful web-weaving spider, you have to have a plan!
Without establishing what your goals are, specifically, it’s hard to set a plan in motion to achieve them. Just generally knowing what you want to happen isn’t enough, the minutiae of the goal helps spur you toward success.
Consider the tenets of what has become known as SMART goal setting when planning your job search or catching the spider’s lunch:
To achieve your goals you need to think ahead, set a logical path, make it attainable, and hold yourself accountable. SMART: Specific, Measureable, Attainable, Realistic, Timely
Goals should straightforward and emphasize what you want to happen. This will help you focus your efforts and achieve what you set out to accomplish.
As goal setting relates to job search, an example of a Specific goal would be:
I am going to find a new job in my industry by creating a target list of companies I’d like to work for that hire people like me.
If you can’t measure it, you can’t manage it. Choose goals with measurable progress, so you can see the change occur. Be specific! Use numerical values and give dates for those values to be attained. When you measure your progress, you stay on track, reach your target dates, and experience the exhilaration of accomplishment that impels you on to continued effort required to reach your larger goals.
A Measurable goal that is imperative in job search could be one that pertains to networking:
I am going to increase my sphere of influence to help me find a new job by attending one new networking event a week in my industry.
When you identify goals that are the most important to you, you begin to figure out ways you can make them come true. You develop the attitudes, abilities, skills, and financial capacity to reach them. You begin seeing previously overlooked opportunities to bring yourself closer to the achieving your goals. If you set goals too far out of reach, subconsciously, you will be less likely to commit to achieving them.
An Attainable job search related goal:
I am going to use LinkedIn and Facebook to find ten people a week that work at companies on my target list.
Devise a plan which makes the goal realistic for you and where you are at the moment but be sure to set goals that you can attain with some effort! Too difficult, and you set the stage for failure. Too easy and the goal will not help your growth. Set the bar high enough for a satisfying achievement!
A Realistic goal:
I am going to contact every referral I am given in my quest to find a new job.
Putting an end point on your goal gives you a clear target to work towards. If you don’t set a time, the commitment is too vague. It tends not to happen because you feel you can start at any time. Without a time limit, there’s no urgency to start taking action now.
A Timely goal:
I am going to find a new job before the end of the year that is appropriate for my experience and interests.
Motivate yourself. Believe in yourself and make yourself accountable! Don’t despair if you get off track; find a way back on track! Post your goals in conspicuous places, share them with others, and solicit their support. It’s ok to adjust your goals but make them SMART!
Think of the cunning spiders and weave your own webs for success!
