Setting career goals can help you earn more money, find a job you love, avoid burnout, become an expert in your industry, and live a more fulfilling life. It is beneficial no matter what position you currently hold.
35 Examples of Career Goals
A career goal can be anything you work toward that helps you advance yourself professionally, financially, or personally. You can break them down into short-term and long-term tasks.
You should always have a couple of targets you can accomplish in the coming days or weeks and one or two goals that will take longer to complete. Read the 35 career goals in the list below for examples.
- Get Your First Job
- Earn a Raise
- Earn a Promotion
- Earn a Higher Degree
- Learn a Trade
- Learn a New Language
- Become a Team Leader
- Earn an Award
- Start a Company
- Become an Industry Expert
- Get a Job You Love
- Learn a New Skill
- Become a Trainer
- Increase Your 401k Balance
- Develop a New Product
- Get Involved with Community Outreach
- Become a Spokesperson for Your Company
- Become a Consultant
- Build a Brand
- Build Your Social Media Following
- Work Remotely
- Work Abroad
- Get a Job at a Fortune 500 Company
- Work for a Company with Excellent Benefits
- Become a Public Speaker
- Mentor Other People in Your Field
- Start a Website
- Gain Recognition for Your Brand
- Earn a Living as an Artist or Creative
- Start a Career in a New Industry
- Have Your Work Featured
- Earn Recognition from Leaders in Your Industry
- Make a Difference by Working at a Non-Profit
- Change the Way Your Company Does Business by Adopting More Efficient Processes
- Increase Customer Satisfaction and Client Retention
How Do You Achieve Career Goals Quickly
Merely setting goals will not help you achieve them. You need to take action and follow through to reach the targets you set. Here are some tips to help.
1. Set Short and Long-Term Goals
When choosing career goals, decide on several short-term goals and one or two long-term objectives.
2. Have Realistic Short-Term Goals
Your short-term goals should be things you can accomplish in one to four weeks. You should be ambitious and set targets to strive to achieve. However, making a habit of setting unattainable objectives can affect your self-confidence, and it is counterproductive.
Instead, work toward things within your reach and a few goals you must work harder to complete.
3. Choose Long-Term Goals That Inspire You
The longer you work toward a goal, the more likely you will abandon it. Focusing on things you are passionate about helps you stay committed. So, it is vital to set long-term goals that inspire you.
4. Make Goals Measurable
Goals should be measurable so you know when you know where you stand when working towards them and when you can cross them off your list.
5. Create an Action Plan for Reaching Your Goals
After you decide on a few short-term career goals and one or two longer-term goals, you need to create an action plan for reaching them. Be concise about the steps you need to take to your desired destination.
6. Be Careful When Sharing Your Goals
After setting long-term career goals, one of the most common reasons people fail is a lack of self-confidence. It is challenging enough to overcome internal doubts and fears without negative input from others.
So, if you have friends, family, or co-workers who are unsupportive, avoid sharing your dreams with them until you are well on your way to success.
7. Evaluate Your Goals Regularly
Track your goals by writing them down and reviewing them frequently to determine how to accomplish them. When looking at your long-term goals, ensure they align with your deepest desires and plans for the future.
8. Find an Experienced Mentor
Finding a great mentor can help develop you professionally and hold you accountable. When choosing someone to mentor you, you should look for an expert in your field willing to spend time sharing their knowledge with you.
9. Surround Yourself with Like-Minded People
If you want to reach your career goals quickly, it is essential to surround yourself with people who want the same thing. Hanging out with friends who have no direction or ambition will distract you. So, instead, try to spend time with people who are goal-oriented and career-focused.
10. Focus on Activities that Help You Reach Your Goals
Invest your time wisely in activities that help you accomplish your goals. By focusing more of your time productively, you will get where you want to be faster.
11. Take Initiative and Do Your Best
After you create goals and an action plan for reaching them, you have to put forth the effort. Doing your best and focusing on completing the tasks that will help you accomplish your career goals will boost your self-image and make help push you toward exceeding the goals you set in the future. It feels good to be the best at what you do, but no one becomes an expert by doing a mediocre job.
12. Immerse Yourself in Your Industry
If you want to be a leader in your field, you must immerse yourself in your industry. Stay current on the latest technologies and best practices. Learn new ways to do things and keep an open mind when others share their ideas.
Take opportunities to learn each vital position in your company. Ask your manager or supervisor if there are training courses you can take or if you can help other departments in your company when needed. Participating in conferences and company events can also help you build relationships with the leaders in your organization. They will appreciate you being a team player and likely consider you when promoting from within.
13. Celebrate Your Accomplishments
When you achieve a goal, celebrate your success. The positive feeling you get from recognizing yours will motivate you to accomplish more challenging career goals.
Final Advice on Career Goals and How to Achieve Them Quickly
Setting career goals can be beneficial for everyone. When selecting professional goals, you must choose things you can accomplish. Setting unrealistic goals can be counterproductive because each time you do not meet a deadline, it affects your self-confidence.
So, it is a good idea to set achievable short-term milestones. On the other hand, there are some compelling reasons to set more challenging long-term career goals. For example, they push you to develop yourself professionally and personally and help keep you on a beneficial career path.
However, the results you receive depend on more than just setting reasonable goals. To achieve your career goals quickly, you must create an action plan with each step you must complete to accomplish your dreams, take the initiative, and give your all daily.
Read the other guides here for help with additional personal finance and career topics, like what companies offer the best maternity leave and parent support.
