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Career Planning Methods
CREATING A CAREER VISION
Where and how do we see ourselves in the future? We can answer these questions by defining our vision goals. A vision consists of short, medium, and long-term goals that we aim to achieve. By taking steps in line with these goals, we can reach our desired destination.
Key Questions to Help Define Your Career Goals
- Who am I?
- What kind of profession should I choose?
- Where do I see myself in the next 5 years and in the next 10 years after graduation?
- What kind of work environment will support my productivity?
- Is it more important to move quickly or to constantly surpass others?
- What are the things that will make you stand out from others?
SETTING CAREER GOALS
Start with short-term goals. Work on achieving these first, then move on to medium- and long-term goals. Short-term goals typically span 1-3 years, while medium- and long-term goals may take 3 to 5 years to achieve. As you successfully accomplish short-term goals, they will serve as stepping stones toward your long-term aspirations.
Be realistic in your goal-setting. You should work toward your career objectives step by step, but if you set them too high or aim for rapid progress, they may become unattainable. Stay committed to your goals, progress gradually, and move forward steadily without rushing.
For example, consider a new graduate entering the workforce. Their initial goal should be to achieve success in their job. As they progress, they can aim for promotion to a higher position. Career goals should be structured in phases, ensuring a logical progression.
Have a clear plan on how to achieve your goals. You should be able to explain to yourself the steps and actions needed to advance in your career. If you're uncertain about the next steps, break your goal into more manageable parts to create a structured and achievable plan.
Take Action (Job Search)
Once you have prepared your cover letter and résumé, you can utilize various resources to make the right job or internship choice. Clearly defining the field and type of job you want will help you navigate the job search process more effectively.
Resources to Help with Job Searching:
• Apply through job search websites.
• Reach out to alumni and professionals working in your areas of interest.
• The Human Resources departments of your preferred companies should be your primary application channels.
• Keep an eye on career opportunity announcements shared by your university.
NEVER LOSE YOUR CONFIDENCE!
Useful Links
Book Recommendations:
- 21 Lessons for the 21st Century – Yuval Noah Harari
- Emotional Intelligence – Daniel Goleman
- Human Engineering – Nüvit Osmay
- Articles
The 3 Most Critical Questions in Interviews
Previously, we shared answers to "Why are you interested in this position?" and "Why did you leave your previous job?". Today, we will discuss another commonly asked interview question.
One guaranteed question in job interviews is:
"Can you tell me about a time when you experienced ……?"
The blank can be filled with various topics, such as how you handled a crisis, your achievements, your weaknesses, and more.
Recruiters often ask such questions to see how you handle decision-making in different situations. Questions about past experiences are some of their favorites because they provide insights into the candidate’s problem-solving abilities and work style.
While most interview questions focus on skills and competencies, this particular question examines how you work.
How to Answer Successfully
The key to successfully answering these types of questions is to construct a clear and structured response. Your answer should follow a logical flow and be consistent. Stay calm and respond fluently.
Be Clear and Concise
To capture the recruiter’s interest, start with a short and straightforward sentence, then support it with relevant examples. Use this detailed section to explain how you handle challenging situations and showcase your strengths.
Using specific and measurable results will make your response more credible.
Just as your introduction is important, your closing statement should be strong. For example:
"In short, this experience taught me a valuable lesson that has shaped how I approach my work today."
Critical Interview Questions
Recruiters don’t necessarily want to hear about your failure but rather how you resolved the situation. Choose an example relevant to the job you are applying for.
This question allows you to demonstrate your interpersonal, leadership, and communication skills. Ensure your answer highlights at least two of these skills.
This question assesses how well you adapt to unexpected situations. Provide an honest response that aligns with the dynamics of the position you’re applying for.
Final Advice: Be Authentic
The best approach in interviews is to tell a real story. If you focus too much on saying what you think the recruiter wants to hear, you may lose authenticity and create inconsistencies in your answers. This can cost you the job opportunity, as recruiters can usually tell when someone is not being truthful.
So, do yourself a favor — be honest.
Kaynak: Forbes