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Article: “Creating A Personal Mission Statement”
                        Strategizing For Success Before The Job Search

Contributor:      John Swartz, Career Specialist and Author - JobQuest

So you’ve decided to hit the street in search of the perfect job. A world of opportunity awaits you. But before you start searching for a job that will put you on the road to fulfilling your professional ambitions, think about the Preamble to the United States Constitution. Yes – the U.S. Constitution.

After the successful defeat of the British that won the United States its independence, the newly formed country was at a major crossroads in terms of a government.  Completed in 1787, the United States Constitution became the solution for the country by housing “the supreme laws of the land.”  The most memorable part of the United States Constitution is the introduction known as the Preamble.  Starting with  “We the people…” the Preamble lists out goals of the Constitution thus creating its own “mission statement” or “statement of purpose” for the country.  Even with its 27 Amendments over the years, the Preamble has kept all of these changes in check so that the Constitution is consistent with the original purpose that its Forefathers had in mind when it was developed over 200 years ago.

Think about stepping back for a moment and shaping your career much the same way the Preamble to the United States Constitution has shaped the country.  Your personal mission statement can be a brief summary of what you are about professionally, but will also serve as a guide on where you want to go.  As a result, this will provide a foundation for analyzing all job opportunities that you may be considering.  Essentially, you are creating a “filter” so that you can enjoy professional success and development at your next job.  Remember, it’s important not to just find a job – but the right kind of job.

Creating a personal mission statement starts with reflection.  Begin by asking yourself a very simple, yet complex, question, “What are you trying to accomplish?”  Break down your answer by focusing on what your professional goals are for the next 3-5 years.  Are you looking to obtain certification for a certain trade?  Perhaps you’re thinking about completing your G.E.D. or college education.  If you’ve just graduated from school, your goal may be to find a mentor – someone to guide you professionally.  Maybe its additional sales or management experience you’re after.  A real estate license could be something you’ve been thinking about but just keep putting off.  Whatever your professional goals are, brainstorm these ambitions and write them on a piece of paper. Over the next few days, review this list and add items as you continue through this personal reflection.

The next step is prioritization.  Although numerous goals show ambition, they can often lead to a lack of focus and consequently a lack of accomplishment.  From your list, select the top 3 most important goals you want to accomplish in the next 3-5 years.  At this point, consider not including a particular compensation level as a goal.  Although money is a reality we all have to deal with, salary is often the direct result of past experience.  By supplying your “tool box” with the right kinds of skills, the money will eventually follow. 

Once you have 3 goals you hope to accomplish in the next few years, it’s now time to quantify.  For example, one of your goals may be a certificate in nursing.  Fabulous!  Now put a date to that goal: “obtain nursing certificate by December 31, 2008.”  If additional sales experience is something you want, perhaps you will quantify this goal by securing 10 new clients in the next year.  By attaching a date or a number to your aspirations, you will dramatically increase the likelihood of actually achieving those goals.  

Now that you have prioritized and quantified,  it’s now time to incorporate these goals into a sentence that will result in your personal mission statement.  This is your Preamble or foundation in which you will now be able to evaluate all job opportunities presented to you.  Weaving these goals into a single statement that flows may take some time.  If you’re stuck, consider using this sentence to get you started:

“It is the mission of (your name) to acquire / obtain / refine the skills of
            1. (Goal #1)
            2. (Goal #2)
            3. (Goal #3)
By finding an environment that will allow for these skills to blossom and promote other areas of growth”

You now have a measuring stick for all employment opportunities that you come across.  Will the jobs that you investigate allow you to achieve these goals?  Does it comply with your mission statement?  If not, it may be worth passing up depending on your situation. 

One final thought on your personal mission statement – change.  Just like the United States Constitution has had its many Amendments over the last 200 years, change is inevitable.  Your journey on the road to success may go down a path that you may not have originally envisioned.  Allow for these opportunities to present themselves by formally reflecting on your goals and personal mission statement on an annual basis.  Change is not an excuse for abandonment if your current goals aren’t immediately achieved.  But be open to new and exciting possibilities as you live your personal mission statement and thus pursue your professional destiny.