If you ask ten people in a room to define success, you'll probably get ten very different answers. Some want to get a promotion and climb the corporate ladder, and some just want to acquire new skills. Others might be looking for ways to completely change career paths with as little disturbance to their everyday lives as possible.
Success and advancement can mean a million different things because we all have different dreams, hopes, aspirations, and of course, professional development goals. But there's one thing we all have in common: we want to do better.
If you've already identified your goals and you're looking for tools to help you get where you want to be, we've got you covered. Before we dive into our 9 examples of common career goals, we'll share a simple framework to help you stay focused and see your dreams through to completion.
SMART is an acronym used to describe the five goal-setting criteria first published by George Doran in the November 1981 issue of Management Review. Since then, the SMART method has gained plenty of traction as both a personal and professional development tool. Whether you're planning a long term goal or short term goal, the SMART method is one of the simplest and most effective goal setting systems.
SMART goals need to be:
Loosely-defined goal: I want to make more money.
SMART goal:
Specific: My wife is pregnant, and I need more money so that I can move to a larger house before the baby comes.
Measurable: I need to make at least $15,000 more to afford a larger home.
Achievable: I haven't gotten a raise in three years, and my KPIs have never looked better.
Relevant: My family always comes first, and I want the best for my child.
Time-bound: I have 9 months to reach my target. If I can't get a raise within the first quarter of the year, I'll start looking for a higher-paying job elsewhere.
SMART goals are extremely powerful, and they can help you get where you want to be. For more information (and access to our worksheet), check out our step-by-step SMART goals guide.
With that in mind, it's time to tackle some of the most common professional goals. We'll start with some short term goals that you can quickly achieve in a few months, and we'll then help you figure out how to tackle a long term career goal.
Remember to keep your SMART worksheet at hand. If possible, try to define and write down your goal's criteria as soon as possible – it will help you get a clearer picture of the situation.
Searching for a new job can be quite a stressful experience. You're often competing against hundreds of applicants, and not everyone gets a fair shot at an interview. If you want to land an interview, you need to:
Once they get back to you and an interview is scheduled, remain calm and prepare your next steps:
New skills come with new knowledge, often leading to further career advancement opportunities. Most skillsets are valuable in various contexts, but it'd make sense to pick a learning goal relevant to your field or industry.
Remember, the first thing you need to do is define your goal by making it as specific as possible. For example, it would make sense to work on your public speaking skills if you're already pursuing a career in politics or media, and want to deliver impactful speeches.
It would also help to conceptualize your new skill as a collection of sub-skills. Delivering a great speech, for example, isn't just about saying the right words at the right pace and rhythm. It's also about being able to quickly improvise by assessing your audience's reaction, finding ways to calm your nerves on demand, and so on.
You might be tempted to take on several new skills at once, but that's rarely a good idea – you'll likely end up wearing yourself out. Start small and build your way up one step at a time.
How are your communication skills? The internet has revolutionized networking in many ways, but face-to-face contact can't be replaced by LinkedIn or any other social networking platform. This is not great news, especially if you're an introvert with a small professional network. But there are some things you can do:
Of course, you need to stay up to date with key events and make sure your business card or portfolio website is as memorable as possible.
Sure, establishing a successful business is definitely a long-term career goal, but you could, hypothetically, start your own business today. The internet has opened up a whole new world of opportunities, and this could be your time to shine.
Before you get going, here are some questions you should ask yourself:
Once that's done, write your plan, register with the authorities, and prepare to grow your business at your own pace.
Being more productive and getting more things done is crucial if you're serious about career development. Productivity is tied to proper time management, so if you want to squeeze more out of your workday, make sure you:
Remember to fuel your brain with the energy it needs to function properly. Eat healthy, sleep well, and exercise regularly.
Degrees, diplomas, and other forms of professional certifications can give you a competitive edge in your career path. Depending on your position, you might have several options to choose from, ranging from official university degrees and diplomas to recognized online degrees and certificates on MOOCs such as Coursera, edX, and Udemy.
Not all certifications are created equal, so make sure you do your research first. Some role-specific certifications include:
When picking a certificate/certification, make sure that a) it's relevant to your field and that b) you can dedicate enough time to complete it and earn your credentials.
Who doesn't want to be an expert? Experts exert expert power and are regarded well for their skills. They also have a higher chance of earning promotions and reaching leadership positions. But acquiring expertise is one of those long term goals that don't seem too attainable, mostly because it's loosely defined.
If you want to become an expert in your field - as a personal goal or professional goal - you must:
If you want to be the best at what you do, you got to try extra hard. In the words of the great Charles Bukowski: "If you're going to try, go all the way."
There are few things as beneficial for your professional career as moving up to a leadership position. Becoming a leader will give you more control and decision-making power within your organization, but it will also likely lead to a higher salary and better future opportunities. It's one of the most common career development goals people have.
Reaching a leadership position is often the result of achieving many successful objectives – the culmination of years of hard work. Most leaders:
If your ultimate goal is to become a leader, these are some qualities that you should keep in mind. If you think you're ready to take on a leadership role, perhaps it's time to go out and actively chase your dream. Devise an action plan, think about enrolling in a leadership development program, and keep the end result in mind.
This professional goal can be a bit scarier than everything we've mentioned so far. Change is sometimes pretty scary, especially when it has to do with your career plan.
Whether you want a career change because you're feeling burnt out, or because you believe a different course in life might be better for you, you have to realize that it's never too late.
Start by brainstorming, and work with a career coach if you can. Make a list of potential careers that might be a good fit for you, and make a note of relevant acquired skills. It'll be easier if you consider a new job in the same industry you're already in – a few key contacts can make all the difference.
Of course, that doesn't mean you can't do something completely different, but be realistic and consider your financial situation. Take your time, and don't rush! Come up with a SMART career switch plan, and answer all the 'why's and 'how's in as much detail as possible.
Whether your goal is to simply improve your productivity at work or make a 180-degree turn in your career, our free Goal Catcher program can help. Learn how to set personal goals and achieve them with the help of our incredible AI-powered Coach Marlee.
Our programs were designed by world-renowned coaches. Sessions only take 5-15 minutes. Get started for free with your personalized program now.
Our expert coaches developed this program to help you achieve crazy big goals, or learn how to inspire others to. This is especially helpful for leaders or anyone wanting to achieve awesome things in work and life.
Coach Marlee (your amazing AI-powered personal coach) will analyse your unique traits and goals to personalize the program so you see results as quickly as possible.
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