FIU Career Guide - Flipbook - Page 17
PREPARING FOR THE JOB SEARCH (CONTINUED)
S.M.A.R.T Method
What Are SMART Goals?
A SMART goal is a tool that helps individuals or teams be accountable for reaching their stated intentions by
ensuring that the goal is Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Timely. SMART goals can be particularly
useful for planning and beginning a job search campaign. For instance, “Land a new job making more money than I’m
making now” is not a clear goal. Individuals may choose to set several SMART goals throughout their job search
campaign.
S
Specific
M
Measureable
A
Achievable
R
Realistic
T
Timely
When setting SMART goals, it can be helpful to ask the following questions:
Specific:
What exactly is the goal to be accomplished?
Measurable:
How will progress be tracked, and success determined?
Achievable:
Is the goal realistic given the resources and constraints?
Relevant:
Why is the goal important and how does it align with broader objectives?
Time-bound:
What is the deadline for achieving the goal?
Example of SMART Goals
Example #1: I will identify my next job target within three months by spending two hours each week researching
potential companies, using LinkedIn three times a week to network with professionals in fields that interest me, and
conducting three informational interviews per week. My interpersonal and organizational skills enable me to execute
these steps, and I know I’ll be successful when I have a list of 20 potential companies and several related job titles
that align with my skillset and education.
Florida International University Career Guide 2024-25
17