Most people who say they are unhappy at work may give a list of various reasons but in reality there tends to be one main underlying reason. Most people after leaving education don’t give much thought to their career short term and long term goals and objectives they wish to achieve for their career. It is only when a person has a clear thought about their career goals and objectives can they achieve ultimate satisfaction from what they have achieved in their career in a shorter period of time. Statistically, people who create clear, written goals, accomplish far more in a shorter period of time than people that did not. Career goals are necessary for all productive and career-advancing activities and they fall in to two categories Short Term and Long Term and are quite different when compared. Before you create your career goals you need to fully understand what you are looking to achieve and why.
QUESTIONS TO ASK YOURSELF
Who are you and what do you want to achieve in life?
What career are you interested in?
Why are you interested in this career?
Are your personal values aligned to your career choice?
Why does this career fit you?
What are your achievements, experience and qualifications relating to this career?
What do you expect to achieve from this career in the short term?
What do you expect to achieve from this career in the long term?
What do you intend to do in the longer future?
After clarifying these points, your second mission is to create your career statements of what you have already achieved and what you require to achieve your career aspirations.
CAREER STATEMENT EXAMPLE
Below is an example of a career goals statement (for a person in the Sales Sector).
Please note this layout for a Short Term Career Goals Statement can be structurally replicated for a Long Term Career Goals Statement.
5 years (Short Term) Career Goals Statement
Become a Sales Manager with man management responsibility for a team of sales professionals.
Currently Achieved
2 years as a New Business Sales Professional.
Exceeded new business sales targets by over 115% each year.
2 Years as an Account Manager for two major corporates.
Exceeded sales targets by over 150% each year.
Passed Dale Carnegie Sales Training Course.
Requirements to Achieve
I intend to work in sales for the next 2 years and then move into a sales team leadership role where I can enhance my skills and knowledge.
Required during these 5 years
Take Dale Carnegie Sales Management Training Course.
Take on Sales Team Leadership role and where possible stand in for Sales Manager when he is on holiday.
Gain new perspectives and eventually manage/influence others on high value accounts.
Communicate with Sales Leaders to develop my network.
Make sure you set a side time to measure and review your progress at least once a year as this will ensure you are on track to meet your career goals.
THINGS YOU MAY WANT TO CONSIDER WHEN SETTING YOUR CAREER GOALS
SHORT TERM CAREER GOALS EXAMPLES
Education and Skills Development
Constant personal development in education or/and work skills that are relevant to where you are and what you soon want to become in your career is key to enhancing your CV profile. It is worth noting this is not just about learning something new but updating what you already know as skills learnt in the past can soon become obsolete.
Employer Awareness
When you start your new employment make it a primary purpose to know the full range of products/services your employer provides and who their competitors and collaborators are. Hierarchy is an integral part of the Public and Private sectors. It is also imperative you know the working structure of the company you work for and that you are comfortable in working in any part of that hierarchy. To achieve your career goals you should set aside 2-4 years trying to maximise your career potential with this new employer before advancing your career with your next employer.
Interacting and Networking
Interacting and networking with people in and out of work which is related to your profession can only be beneficial to increasing your product knowledge and general knowledge to enhancing your short and long term career goals. Hierarchy can have valuable information that is not generally shared in board room meetings. Therefore, do not have any apprehensions while talking to anyone, regardless of their post or their place in the hierarchy.
Responsibilities Increased
Increased responsibilities within your job role should be worked towards and welcomed as your duties and responsibilities increase so will your resources to allow you to perform your additional responsibilities and tasks. Be careful in the corporate world, you will find many instances in which people will try to take credit for what others have done so if you have achieved something, and have been public about it, you will be recognized as the person who did it. It is also worth understanding, that you will be able to get your own credit only if you are ready to give credit where credit is due.
Financial Enhancement
An individual’s personal and professionals financial situation is arguably one of the most important factors in their life and therefore, one short term goal you should be working towards is to be making enough from the job to lead a comfortable life and maintain a good lifestyle.
LONG TERM CAREER GOALS EXAMPLES
Manager of Managers/CEO Long term goal of a professional can be to one day achieve the highest position in the company.
Starting your own Company
Utilising your skills and knowledge you have gained over the years can allow you to be in a better position to launch your own enterprise when the time is right.
Retire Early
Utilise the ever-increasing technologies to allow you to achieve your ambitions in a shorter timeframe and therefore take early retirement.
It is only when a person has a clear thought about their career goals and objectives that they can achieve the ultimate satisfaction from their job and therefore progress’s faster.
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