Setting Career Goals Clare Jonker Engage: Customer, Community and Ourselves

Introduction About me Why am I giving this workshop? My time at CSU What I did before I came to CSU Why am I giving this workshop? I’m not at expert on ‘Setting Career Goals’ . But was is pleasing to learn is that the advice I have given to friends, family members and collegues in the past is not inconsistent with my recent research on Career Goals, and is still pretty much in line with the original blurb I wrote and published on the Admin Focus Yammer page.

Setting career goals shouldn’t be rocket science but a common sense approach of identifying the aspects of work you enjoy and are good at, and then setting yourself up with the knowledge, skills and experience to take you forward in your career.

6 steps Identify personal values Determine what you’re good at (and better at then most other people) and what you enjoy doing Assess the opportunities Set your goals Work out where the gaps are and what steps you need to take to bridge them Review regularly

What are ‘Career Goals’? Goals that you set for your career path. - career choices - where you want to be in your career in future years Career Goals are important because they.... give you clarity on what you want; motivate you and drive you forward; provide you with focus and make you strive to your highest potential hold you accountable for your actions

When we set career goals we frequently think of them as being: Progressing up the career ladder Making more money, getting more recognition ..... But there is a much broader aspect to setting career goals

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs 3 assumptions: . We have needs that are never totally satisfied 2. We aim to fill unsatisfied needs 3. Our needs fit into hierarchy – from basic/low level to high level needs Maslow’s theory is important because it separated out pay as a motivator for employees. Physiological: basic needs such as food, water shelter. In reference to work: basic pay, workspace, heat, water etc   Safety and Security: feel safe, secure and free from threat Job security, benefits, and safety regulations Belongingness and social needs: join with an be accepted by others Good co-workers, peers, boss, customers etc Esteem needs: positive self image, be valued and appreciated Important projects, recognition, prestigious office location Self actualisation: development of our capabilities and attainment of our full potential Challenging projects, training, opportunities for innovation and creativity

Step 1: Identify Personal Values Values are things that you believe are important in the way you live and work. They should determine your priorities and may be the measure you use to tell if your life is turning out the way you want it to. Identify your values based on your experience of happiness, pride, and fulfilment Your personal values are a central part of who you are – and who you want to be. By becoming more aware of these important factors in your life, you can use them as a guide to make the best choice in any situation. Some of life's decisions are really about determining what you value most. When many options seem reasonable, it's helpful and comforting to rely on your values – and use them as a strong guiding force to point you in the right direction. But how does this relate to your career goals.....

......and one I prepared earlier Does it rely on my best skills? Am I learning new skills? Is it challenging and exciting? Does it make me happy? Can I achieve a work-life balance? Am I making friends at work? Am I a good role model? Am I maintaining my integrity and personal values? Do I make a contribution to society? ‘yindyamarra winhanga-nha’ “The wisdom of respectfully knowing how to live in a world worth living” Literature asks “what do I want to be remembered for when I die?”

Step 2: Determine what you’re good at Indentify strengths (and weaknesses) Ask friends or colleagues Professional assessment Complete your own self assessment Determine what you’re good at (and better at then most other people) and what you enjoy doing

Strengths What advantages do you have that others don’t have? (e.g. Skills and Qualifications) What do you do well? What do others see as your strengths? What unique resources can you draw on? ..... What advantages do you have that others don't have (for example, skills, certifications, education, or connections)? What do you do better than anyone else? What personal resources can you access? What do other people see as your strengths? Which of your achievements are you most proud of? What values do you believe in that others fail to exhibit? Tip: Think about your strengths in relation to the people around you. For example, if you're a great mathematician and the people around you are also great at math, then this is not likely to be a strength in your current role – it may be a necessity

Weaknesses Where could you improve? What are others likely to see as your weakness? Where do you have few resources than others? ..... What tasks do you usually avoid because you don't feel confident doing them? What will the people around you see as your weaknesses? Are you completely confident in your education and skills training? If not, where are you weakest? What are your negative work habits (for example, are you often late, are you disorganized, do you have a short temper, or are you poor at handling stress)? Do you have personality traits that hold you back in your field? For instance, if you have to conduct meetings on a regular basis, a fear of public speaking would be a major weakness. Again, consider this from a personal/internal perspective and an external perspective. Do other people see weaknesses that you don't see? Do co-workers consistently outperform you in key areas? Be realistic – it's best to face any unpleasant truths as soon as possible

Step 3: Assess the Opportunities Analyse the external environment: what skills are required? is there a skill shortage at CSU and/or elsewhere? PESTEL Political Economical Social Technological Environmental Legal

Opportunities What opportunities are open to you? What trends can you take advantage of? How can you turn your strengths into opportunities? Can you open up opportunities by eliminating your weakness? ..... Opportunities Is there a need in your company or industry that no one is filling? Is your industry growing? If so, how can you take advantage of the current market? What new technology can help you? Or can you get help from others or from people via the Internet? Do you have a network of strategic contacts to help you, or offer good advice? What trends (management or otherwise) do you see in your company, and how can you take advantage of them? Are any of your competitors failing to do something important? If so, can you take advantage of their mistakes? Do your customers or vendors complain about something in your company? If so, could you create an opportunity by offering a solution? You might find useful opportunities in the following: Networking events, educational classes, or conferences. A colleague going on an extended leave. Could you take on some of this person's projects to gain experience? A new role or project that forces you to learn new skills, like public speaking or international relations. A company expansion or acquisition. Do you have specific skills (like a second language) that could help with the process? Also, importantly, look at your strengths, and ask yourself whether these open up any opportunities – and look at your weaknesses, and ask yourself whether you could open up opportunities by eliminating those weaknesses

Threats What threats could harm you? What obstacles do you currently face at work? Is your job changing? What is your competition doing? What threats do your weaknesses expose you to? ..... Threats What obstacles do you currently face at work? Are any of your colleagues competing with you for projects or roles? Is your job (or the demand for the things you do) changing? Does changing technology threaten your position? Could any of your weaknesses lead to threats?

Step 4: Set Goals Short-term: short period (daily, weekly, monthly, annually) Long-term: goals for life

What am I passionate about? What is my dream job? What am I good at doing? Do I have a gift or calling? What would I do if I was financially independent? Am I happy in my current career?   Am I looking for a new career or just a new position?   Do I want to make more money or is money even a priority?   Why do I work at CSU. What is stopping me from leaving? How do I define success? Am I achieving success now? Who are the people I most admire? What is it about them and their career that I like? Where do I want to be in my career in 5, 10, 15 years? Brainstorm your goals

Visualise your goals Provide clarity by writing them down Identify the goals that can be achieved in the short term and those that are long term goals Prioritise them (what are most urgent) Tell someone

Step 5: Work out where the gaps are and what steps you need to take to bridge them Identify the benefits of achieving your goal(s) Break-down the steps you need to take to achieve your goal Set deadlines for accomplishing each step Identify the resources you need to achieve you goal (training, support, money, time etc) Outcomes

Recording Career Goals Benefit Steps Deadlines Resources Outcomes 1. 2. 3. 4. Goal Write down the goal and define it clearly.  Benefits List the benefits of achieving each of the goals. This will serve as motivation.  Steps Break down the key steps you need to take to achieve each goal. If you are having trouble defining the steps, work backward from the goal.  Deadlines Give yourself a reasonable deadline for accomplishing each step.  Resources List what you need to achieve each goal - training, support, money, time, etc.  Outcome Did you achieve the goal? If not, what were the stumbling blocks? 

Steps? Goal 1. Further Training Research available courses; Decided on preferred option and talk to someone who knows about the course. Ask questions about: how to enrol, what the cost is, how long the course is expected to take, what your final qualification will be etc Speak to your supervisor and, if required, seek study support Enrol in the course Submit CSU forms Commence training

Goal 2: New job Research the job – what knowledge and skills are required? Do you have them? If not, get them! Talk to someone about the job: someone who holds a similar job or who has performed that job in the past, the manager, a client, colleague etc. Prepare and submit the job application Prepare for the interview Attend the interview

Step 6: Regularly Review Keep focused Re-read your goals daily Review them regularly

@ CSU Research position descriptions for similar jobs Look at the position responsibilities and the selection criteria – what are they asking for? Qualifications / equivalent experience Communication / Interpersonal Skills/ Organisational skills Specific skills and experience unique to the job Pay attention to the terminology: understanding; knowledge of; demonstration of; ability to; Review the CSU level Descriptors published at the back of the Enterprise Agreement Talk to people in similar jobs Make sure you address the criteria in your job applications and include examples of your past performance

Consider alternate pathways Fill in for somebody when they go on leave Consider a sideways (backwards??) move to get you in the area you want Look for other opportunities Working groups, projects, committees etc Presentations at conferences Move outside your comfort zone

Cutest picture ever!!

Thank-you Admin Focus Organising Committee