Goals

What type of jobs are you interviewing for?

Pretty much anything as an Administrative Assistant.  I have an Assoc. degree in Business Admin.  I've been working for Admin Asst jobs since 2000. 
 
The job I interviewed for was retail sales (no way am I having 2 jobs in retail at the same time).

I can totally relate to you.  Im not very good at thinking on my feet, and coming up with answers under pressure... but if I have time to sort out my thoughts, Im actually very good with words... but...

I hate to think that you don't have ANY goals... goals don't need to be specifically professional, or academic, they can be personal, emotional, goals for your family as a group, etc...

Think about it... there has got to be some area you would like to improve, or something you want to accomplish...

Even if its just finding a job that you are happy in, or something that challenges you, or to better provide for your family....  those are professional goals, but Im sure you have goals in other aspects of your life...

Manipulate those other goals to work in a job interview...

ORIGINAL: alieliza

I can totally relate to you.  Im not very good at thinking on my feet, and coming up with answers under pressure... but if I have time to sort out my thoughts, Im actually very good with words... but...

I hate to think that you don't have ANY goals... goals don't need to be specifically professional, or academic, they can be personal, emotional, goals for your family as a group, etc...

Think about it... there has got to be some area you would like to improve, or something you want to accomplish...

Even if its just finding a job that you are happy in, or something that challenges you, or to better provide for your family....  those are professional goals, but Im sure you have goals in other aspects of your life...

Manipulate those other goals to work in a job interview...

 
Right now the only goal I have is to find a job that pays the same or more than what I'm getting now (which is hard in Savannah). 
 
My goals that I used to have:  I wanted to be done having kids (2 kids) by the time I'm 30.  Jon won't be done with school until I'm 29.  I want to go back to school and get a BA, but I can't until he finishes school and gets a "real" job.  I would like to be able to take Copper to obedience, but I can't afford it. 
 
I wish I could say that I have current goals (even small ones), but right now I'm just trying to survive my day-to-day life w/o going crazy.  I'm trying to deal with Mom's death, work 2 jobs, take care of Copper & the cats, take DH to and from class & work (he doesn't have a driver's license....don't get me started on that), in between all of this I have to find time to pick up the apartment. On top of ALL of this I am also dealing with being homesick again (I was fine before Mom died, but now I'm back to square one from when we moved out of Nebraska in 2002).

i think the interviewer was probably talking about job related goals not life oriented goals.

i usually go in ready to respond to this questions because it seems to come up a lot in interviews. for instance, when i was interviewing for engineering jobs straight out of college it was easy. i would say something like... i strive to be rapidly promoted, be an asset to the company and my co-workers, and obtain all relevant experience to become a PE within 5 yrs.

i think you have to tailor it based on what job you are interviewing for and what company it is, and still make it a true statement.  and you want to say something that will make you seem like you are interested in progressing and not just being a stagnant employee.

ORIGINAL: cyclefiend2000

i think the interviewer was probably talking about job related goals not life oriented goals.

Actually, she asked the question twice.  Once for personal, and one for career.  Before I was able to BS my way through those questions, but right now like I said I'm just trying to survive and can't think of anything to say (even if it is BS).
 
ETA:  I think the thing that upsets me the most is not the questions themselves, but that I personally don't have any goals.

Even if you can't get to doing the BA, or not anytime soon, there are still plenty of goals you can shoot for starting where you're at.
 
Like you're starting as an admin, and maybe you could work towards becoming a:
 
- Purchasing manager
- Accountant?
- Planner
 
etc.
 
I also feel like my life is all over the place, because it seems I'm never happy with my career and constantly need to change. It's stressful wondering if you're even heading in the right direction or completely wasting time.

i dont think they have a right to pry into your personal life. honestly i would be offended if they asked questions about my personal life. i mean you are there to find a job, not a friend.

ORIGINAL: Scout in Canada
Like you're starting as an admin, and maybe you could work towards becoming a:

- Purchasing manager
- Accountant?
- Planner

etc.

I also feel like my life is all over the place, because it seems I'm never happy with my career and constantly need to change. It's stressful wondering if you're even heading in the right direction or completely wasting time.

 
What exactly is a planner?  I don't think I know for sure what one is. 
 
Most of my problem is that I have had too many changes (and big ones at that).  By the end of my current job I will have gone through 3 jobs in 2 years.  The worst part is that none of them were my fualt.  Job #1 they moved the company out of state.  Job #2 they had to cut back in labor (plus the owner didn't have the guts to fire the woman I was hired to replace).  Job #3 is construction and the jobsite is finishing up (I can stay with the company, but only if I transfer out of state, which is not an option).

I liked Bradley's answer.
Think of after DH is done with school - what would your goal be then? Take the time table out of it.  Pretend you're at a schmoozy party some time in the future and someone says, "What do you do?" and you want to impress them.  What would be the answer that would impress you/them and still be realistic?  (ie, "I own Microsoft" is not the answer to give here)hahah!

I would love to be in the medical field (be it doctor, nurse or vet), but I have this "little" problem with fainting when I see real blood.  [&:] 
 
The only other thing that I can see doing is owning my own business.  What I would sell as a product or service I don't know.

I would love to be in the medical field (be it doctor, nurse or vet), but I have this "little" problem with fainting when I see real blood.   

Don't let that stop you!!! Most everyone has a little rxn the first few times, but you get used to it believe me. I LOVE my job and would never want anything else

I'll tell you why we ask this question in medicine and what we want to hear
-we want to know if you are ambitious and have drive
-we want to make sure you want to be in OUR field and will advance OUR field
-we don't want people who just want money, sorry but it's true, you want people who love the field regardless of what they get paid
-we want people who will be there for the long haul and not just a "for now" job because it sucks to train people who just leave

* we want to hear a goal which involves a position of authority in the field you are applying for, as well as a time frame and basic plan.

for example chairman of the department of surgery, with a successful lab studying ......... within the next 10 years.....I plan to start doing research in this area by (give example)

it is a little jumping through hoops, but you want the job right!

As for getting a life... check out some meetups... [linkhttp://www.meetup.com]www.meetup.com[/link].  I am part of meetups that involve my dogs, as well as others including hiking, knitting, and a group of women my age with all sorts of interests.  It's great!  There are book groups, eating out groups, fitness groups, etc.  See what is in your area.

ORIGINAL: ottoluv

I would love to be in the medical field (be it doctor, nurse or vet), but I have this "little" problem with fainting when I see real blood.   

Don't let that stop you!!! Most everyone has a little rxn the first few times, but you get used to it believe me. I LOVE my job and would never want anything else

 
I only WISH that wouldn't stop me.  I've dealt with this problem all my life.  I almost passed out when picking up Copper from his neuter (btw I saw NOTHING).  I almost passed out 3 times in an hour visiting my brother-in-law at the hospital (again I saw nothing).  I wish there was a way to get over it, but I think I'm SOL with the medical field.  []
 
Smilee1079:  That website is pretty cool.  I'll have to keep my eye to see if something comes up that interests me.