Within this article I will share an important secret behind successful job interviewing and career management. We all know that a well designed job search requires much more than revising your resume and learning a few job interview tips. Usually it's good to get advice from the experts and career counselors or coaches. But, it is far more important to know yourself and to know where you want to end up. Do you have a picture in your mind of where you'll be in 5 years...10 years? Have you written it down? With this picture or goal in mind, can you now plan for tomorrow's career strategy? What can you do, tomorrow, that will lead to the better job or the promotion?



The most important secret to successful job interviewing is knowing your career vision - - where you want your career, and your life, to take you. Every step you take towards securing a new position, obtaining a highly desired promotion, reaching short-term career plans should be based upon a big picture - - your career vision. It is what provides the pathway for your personal success. It is what keeps you on track during disappointments and in the midst of organizational or personal changes. We have to know what it is that we're seeking to be effective within our career moves.

Recently, I received an email from a business associate who wanted to share a promotion within a major corporation. I've known this professional for over ten years, have heard him speak of his career goals, and I recognized how valuable his stepping stones mean to him. His careful preparation, and planned risk-taking, was leading to career success that had personal value to him and his family. When necessary he had made adjustments and changed jobs, but he kept focused on achieving the big picture.

The steps to creating your vision are similar to the the way companies create their long-term plans or mission statements. Due to the size and functioning of corporations, it can take months - - sometimes years - - to complete a mission statement.

That's not the case when you create your own personal one. The process doesn't take as long, and there's no need to get an entire management team together to complete it. What's most important is that yours be based on your "reality" and your "dream." Between these two areas is a "gap of compromise" that allows you to create a successful vision of your career. Whether you're searching for a new job, a promotion, or career satisfaction, it's important to have a vivid picture in your mind of where you're heading.

Your career vision can be drawn directly from your personal values, family background, financial desires, geographical limitations, physical needs, etc. At least 25% of it should deal with your reality.

So, if you have an deeply embedded, vivid picture of your career goals, it makes life so much easier in your job search. You begin to fully use your network in a way that will get you better job leads. You are then able to clearly identify what company or position can further your career and synchronize with your goals. You can fully evaluate a company before, during, and after the interview. You begin to use a much more efficient job search strategy.

Many job seekers send their resumes to numerous job boards, recruiters with generic opening statements and introductions. You throw enough darts and sooner or later something's going stick, rights? But will that new position lead you to your desired position? Or will you be looking for a new position 6 months after accepting the offer? The secret to successful job interviews centers on you knowing where you expect to end your journey. With this knowledge you can search for a new job with a clearer sense of what it is that you will accept, or not accept.

Job interviews are designed to review the results of your career-related actions, as well as to determine how well you will fit within the company. If you've done your homework (self evaluation and company research), then your vision should directly impact the short-term step of interviewing. By understanding where you're heading, you're more likely to successfully manage interview questions - - as well as decide if the position is one that will lead you closer to career success.

Are you ready to succeed within your career? Then, grab a pen and paper, take a seat, and start writing about your dreams....your reality...and chart your vision. Best wishes to your career success!