Short term goal examples career: 31 Short-Term Goals Examples for Work in 2023

31 Short-Term Goals Examples for Work in 2023

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We all have dreams. Some people never meet that dream, while others seem to always have their dreams come true. What is the difference between the two people? The answer is goals. Goals are the plans that are necessary to show you the path to your destination. 

There are three types of goals. These are long-term, medium-range, and short-term. Think of it as three distances that allow you to measure your progress toward your ultimate destination. The long-term goals are those that can take ten years to complete. These are the roof of the building.

Medium-term goals are the individual staircases that take you from one floor to another. These goals are normally 1-5 years in the making. Ideally, each one you achieve progresses towards the roof. Then, you have short-term goals.

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What Are Short-Term Goals?

Short-term goals are those that normally take less than a year to accomplish. They can be in any of life’s main categories. These are health, career, spirituality, finances, and more. These goals are the little ones that help get you one step closer to realizing your bigger goals. 

When you look at short-term goals, think of them along the lines of learning a new skill, getting your mental health in a better place, or eating more nutritious meals to lose weight. These are goals that normally only include one or two steps to accomplish, unlike longer-term goals that can take dozens of steps, if not more.

Why Are Short-Term Goals for Work Important?

If you want to rise to a higher position, there are things you need to do. Climbing the corporate ladder is a long-term goal, but you need to achieve several shorter-term goals in order to get there. It is almost impossible to start at the very top unless you start your own business. Even then, there are many steps you need to go through before you get up and running.

By setting short-term goals, you have the chance to make sure you are on the correct path to your desired destination. The short-term goals keep you motivated and give you benchmarks that measure your progress. Without these shorter-term goals, you can easily become both frustrated and lost as to which direction you need to go next.

How to Make Short-Term Goals for Work

There are many goal-setting systems you can use to help you form a good goal. One of the most popular is to set SMART goals. These goals include five components: They are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relatable, and Time-Bound. There are even apps and worksheets to help you through the goal-setting process.

Short-term goals are specific, measurable, and achievable objectives that you can accomplish within a relatively short period of time, usually within a few weeks or months.

Whichever method you use, you need to look first at your major long-term goal. Write down every step you must take to reach that goal. These will be your mid-term goals. You may end up working toward 2-3 of these at a time. Finally, break down the mid-length goals into steps that can be completed within a few months, or less than a year. These are your short-term goals.

31 Short Term Goals Examples for Work

1. Take All Breaks 

It is important to take the breaks you are given at work. This time allows your mind and eyes a chance to rest. You will be more productive when you are rested.

When possible, add some outdoor exercise, such as a brief walk. Self-care is something many people forget about when trying to succeed, yet a mind that is overtaxed is not a fully functioning one.

2. Get Leadership Training

Taking the time to get official leadership training will help you show your higher-ups that you are serious about wanting to advance in your career. The training is something that will serve you whether you stay in your current place of employment or move onward to greater places. Getting this training is also a great way to boost your self-confidence.

3. Start Investing in the Company 401K Plan

While your finances aren’t directly related to a greater achievement at work, it can help your overall mental health. Knowing that you are making plans for your future will help you get through tougher days and also help relieve stress over what will happen when you eventually retire.

This can also be something that is a step to goals you may have for what you want to do when you retire, such as travel.

4. Improve Communication with Coworkers

Communication is much more than simply talking. It involves being a good listener as well as being able to decipher things like body language. Being able to effectively communicate with your coworkers is essential.

Everyone needs to understand what is expected of them and this can’t be done by simply guessing. Learning to communicate effectively will make you someone who is likely to be listened to in the workplace.

5. Create an Updated Portfolio

You may not stay at your present place of employment for the rest of your career. This is especially true if you are still young and just starting out. Taking the time to develop an outstanding portfolio will give you the opportunity to stand out from the crowd when you seek other positions. If you are in an artistic field, an outstanding portfolio is a must.

6. Create a Better Work-Life Balance

You’ve heard the expression about all work and no play, life needs to include more than working and sleeping. By making it a goal to develop a better work-life balance, you help prevent burnout.

Maintaining a healthy work-life balance can be challenging, but it is essential for your physical and mental health, as well as your overall well-being.

You make it less likely that you will start to resent having to go to work. You will also make it more likely that your family and social life, necessary for good mental health, are not neglected.

7. Improve Time-Management Skills

Poor time-management skills are one of the biggest problems when it comes to being productive. Developing a schedule that works with your daily tasks allows you to make sure that everything is given the attention it needs to be completed.

There are scheduling apps that can help with this important task. Keep in mind that you should include all tasks, even ones that occur outside of work. You will need time for sleep and other tasks. 

8. Set Better Boundaries

Boundaries are difficult for some people. You want to give as much as you can. You don’t want to tell people no. But, you need to have boundaries in place. These can be as simple as setting aside certain hours for phone calls or making certain hours off-limits for interruptions.

Other boundaries can include being able to say no when you are already over-taxed. Setting and keeping boundaries will earn you respect in the end, and that includes self-respect.

9. Learn a New Skill

Take a look around you and notice the skills that some of your coworkers have that you do not. Maybe they aren’t skills you will necessarily use, but having them makes you a more valued employee because you can step in and help when needed. Think about the skills you would like to know most or the ones you believe will be most useful and make it a goal to learn that skill.

10. Create/Update a LinkedIn Profile

Having an updated LinkedIn profile is important if you want to be noticed for your skills. This is important if you want to enter a new field or get a position that is greater than the one you have.

Keeping the profile updated with any new skills and regular posts that share your knowledge will get you noticed by people quicker than most other methods out there. Today’s employers often search LinkedIn for people they believe may fit their company. Don’t get overlooked.

11. Expand Professional Network

When it comes to advancing in your career, it really does often come down to whom you know. People are much more confident working with someone that is recommended to them by someone they trust.

You can make it your goal to expand your professional network by attending conferences or even inviting influential people in your profession to lunch. Be willing to talk about your achievements without actually bragging and show you are someone who knows what you are doing.

12. Find a Mentor

One of the best ways to learn about what it takes is to work with someone who has already gone through the process and is successful. Look around you and find someone in a higher position who is willing to take you under their wing and show you how to go about advancing in the best way possible. Be willing to ask for their help and advice and be willing to truly listen to what they have to say.  

Finding a mentor can be a great way to accelerate your personal and professional growth.

13. Organize Desk or Office

One of the leading principles of Feng Shui is that a cluttered environment equals a cluttered mind. Have you ever noticed that when you are feeling that you are at a standstill, rearranging things seem to open up the flow of ideas?

Take time to organize your workspace. It will not only clear up your mind but will also make it easier to save time when you need something and make you more productive.

14. Ask More Questions

It can be difficult to admit you don’t understand something. Unfortunately, if you are unwilling to ask questions, you end up either never knowing or assuming things that may make a mess of things.

Be willing to ask questions. This allows others to know you are willing to learn and grow in both your work and as a person.

15. Understand Clients’ Wants/Needs Better

Knowing the mindset of the people you are trying to serve makes it much easier to design your efforts in a way that speaks to them. Empathy is one of the greatest traits you can have when working with others.

Make it your goal to get a real feel for who your clients are and what they need from you. Knowing their expectations will keep them happy and returning.

17. Get a Raise or Promotion

Rather than simply wait for someone to notice your efforts, make it a point to reach out to the person in charge and ask what you need to do in order to be considered for a higher position or increased salary. Take their answers and make it a priority to fulfill those requirements, making each one a short-term goal.

18. Volunteer for Work outside My Comfort Zone

The best way to stay exactly where you are is to keep doing only what you already do. Make a goal to step out of your comfort zone. You may want to volunteer to take on a project that requires you to learn a new skill or puts you in a position unfamiliar to you.

That’s okay because it is the way we learn and grow. You will be showing your boss your willingness to expand your horizons.

19. Earn an Advanced Certificate

While you may qualify for your current position, and maybe even the next higher one, when it comes to advancing your career, the more you know, the higher you can climb on the ladder. There are numerous ways you can go about earning a certificate that takes your qualifications to the next level.

This may be taking an online course or even attending a night course at a local college. You know you have what it takes. Now is the time to show those in charge.

20. Learn a New Language

We live in a global economy and most businesses require you to be able to deal with people from all over the world. Knowing a second, or even third, language will give you an advantage over those who only speak one language.

Decide what languages you are most likely to encounter in your field or area and start learning one of them. There are numerous ways to accomplish this and you should be able to find one that fits into your schedule.

21.

Improve Performance Metrics

Performance metrics may include the number of projects you deliver, the number of sales you achieve, and even how satisfied customers are with their interaction with you. Find out what the metrics are in your company and make it a goal to better your scores. You may want to try meeting the goal of the highest number of sales or even simply bettering your own scores in various areas. 

22. Stop Multi-tasking and Improve Focus

It has been proven that multitasking doesn’t help your productivity the way people think it does. Your brain has to divide itself among a number of tasks. Learning the art of mindfulness will help you feel less stressed and it will help improve your memory and allow you to give everything you have to the task at hand. 

Learn how to prioritize tasks, eliminate distractions, and create a work environment that supports your focus.

Keeping up-to-date on the changes in your industry will allow you to become more competent. It will also enable you to talk with others in the field in a more meaningful way. Make it a goal to read at least one industry-related book or newsletter each month so you are ready to impress at the next networking event. You never know who will be listening.

24. Become Familiar with New Technology

Technology is changing rapidly. Every day there are new ways of doing things that improve the quality of your work. Make it your mission to learn about what technological advances are out there that can make your workplace more productive.

Learn these technologies and bring that knowledge to those in charge. You’ll soon be looked to as a person who is ready and willing to help the company be the best it can be.

25. Foster Greater Teamwork

Studies have proven that an environment that values teamwork over competition is often more productive. It is also an environment that creates better employee satisfaction. This increases personal investment in the company.

Find a way to help your department, and eventually the company as a whole, develop an attitude of teamwork. This might take the form of proposing or setting up regular meetings to discuss everyone’s projects or having a team-building workshop.

26. Learn From Higher Ups

This goal may make you feel like a spy at first, but what you are doing is actually observing those who have made it to where you want to be. Watch how they work, how they interact with coworkers and the kind of skills and attitude they bring to the workplace.

Try to take at least one major quality from each of those you observe and make it your own. At the end of the day, you will be able to understand exactly what it takes to become an effective leader in your company.

27. Learn About Other Departments

Each department in a company may run independently, but they all rely on the quality of the work being put out by other departments. Knowing exactly how your efforts improve other areas of a company will allow you to stay on track with creating the best product or service you can.

Make it a goal to talk with a different department head over time to learn what that department does. Leaders understand their whole organization.

You turn your work in when it is due, but consider how you would impress those who hold your future in their hands if you gave a little extra. Try to turn projects in early or make it a goal to add one extra bit of helpful information to each project you do.

Don’t settle for doing just what is necessary to get by. Make it your goal to give a little bit more than expected and you will become known as someone who cares about quality.

29. Identify Weaknesses and Strengthen Them

We don’t like to admit it, but we all have weaknesses. Take time to sit down and identify the weaknesses you possess in your job. Maybe it is time management, poor communication, or not being very organized. Maybe it is something like playing well with others or speaking up at meetings.

Once you figure out your weak points, make it a goal to improve them one by one. Each goal improves your chances of advancing.

30. Speak Up More

It can be intimidating to speak up and voice your opinion or make a suggestion when you are among people in higher positions. Unfortunately, by staying quiet, you give the impression of being a follower, not someone who is destined to lead at some point.

When you come up with an idea that you believe is a good one, be willing to share it. When your opinion is asked for, be willing to share, even if the opinion may not be popular. Have self-confidence in your abilities.

31. Learn to Give Better Feedback

Is a coworker doing something in a way that is creating more problems than helping? Be willing to approach them and suggest ways they can improve. It is important to learn to give constructive feedback in a way that a person doesn’t feel attacked but instead knows you are willing to help.

Is there a procedure at work that could use improvement? Be willing to approach those in charge with that fact and suggestions for improvement. In the end, you will earn respect.

Final Thoughts on Short-Term Goals for Work

Taking the time to set short-term goals for work allows you to get a much clearer picture of how you are going to gradually work your way toward your ultimate goals. These goals allow you to keep on track. They also give you many opportunities to renew your energy and enthusiasm.

Short-term goals are the stepping stones to those long-term goals. Once you get used to achieving these goals, you will find yourself doing them for all areas of your life.

Who doesn’t like moments to celebrate their achievements? These will transform you from the individual who watches their dreams move further away into the type of person who eventually makes it to the top.

Finally, if you want to take your goal-setting efforts to the next level, check out this FREE printable worksheet and a step-by-step process that will help you set effective SMART goals.

Short-term Goals Examples to Career Development

While employees might see the big picture of their careers, they may lose sight of the details that lead up to it. Looking at short-term goals examples can help you decide on crucial steps that lead to your long-term objectives. Understanding and establishing realistic goals can make you productive at work, foster job satisfaction, and influence career development.

Short-term goals increase momentum towards your career targets and achievements. However, you need rock-solid commitment and dedication to see results from them. This article explains what short-term goals are, provides examples of short-term goals, and highlights tips to set and improve them.

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What are Short-term Goals?

Short-term goals are goals you set out to complete within the next year or sooner using clearly defined objectives. For example, if you want to get rid of credit card debt, you might set short-term financial goals to identify how much you need to set aside from your monthly income over the next 12 months and to create a payment plan you can stick to.

Setting milestones in the form of daily or weekly goals, like routine tasks and weekly meetings, makes them easier to achieve, unlike bigger career aspirations. Your short-term goals keep you focused on the tasks at hand, help you track progress, and sustain motivation in the long run.

It’s essential to differentiate goals from objectives. Goals refer to desired outcomes or results, while objectives are actionable steps that lead to said outcomes.

Where are Short-term Goals Used?

• Academics
• Career
• Personal finance
• Health and fitness
• Relationship

Why are Short-term Goals Important?

Short-term professional goals are drivers of long-term success. Here is why they are essential.

• Reduce procrastination. Specific goals optimize your efforts and mitigate procrastination, setting you on a clear path to achieve your life goals.
• Sustain focus. A measurable goal helps you keep track of progress in your daily life and determine achievable actions to take for reaching your long-term goals.
• Fuel motivation. Small achievable goals set within a clear time frame deliver results quicker than big goals. This boosts motivation, increasing momentum to keep marching forward.
• Boost career success. Frequently establishing and accomplishing goals keeps you focused on improving your professional life. Without them, distractions and low morale creep in, preventing you from long-term achievements.

Real-World Examples of Short-term Goals

A common source of frustration, either in professional or private life, is setting goals that are not specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and timely. In short, it means not having SMART goals. So, here are some real-world examples of short-term career goals.

1. Improve productivity
2. Acquire a new certification
3. Organize your workspace
4. Improve your communication with coworkers
5. Be punctual to work
6. Get a work-life balance
7. Work on a personal project
8. Improve your professional skills
9. Be observant
10. Improve your networking skills

10 Great Examples of Short Term Goals

Short Term Goal Example 1: Improve Productivity

Scaling up workplace productivity translates to better performance. The first step to improved performance is understanding productivity metrics like quantity, quality, and efficiency. Next, revamp your work method or find a new approach that raises your productivity level over a given period of time.

Measure your performance level based on organizational goals like customer satisfaction and retention, reducing business overhead, revenue, and profit expansion. Channeling attention and effort to these metrics can help you reach long-term financial goals.

Short Term Goal Example 2: Acquire a New Certification

Technological innovations cut across several industries, and employees who are conversant with them can stay ahead of their competitors. To stay relevant in your field of work, you should embrace lifelong learning and use your spare time to upgrade your skills.

Companies are shifting from demanding a college degree to seeking different hard and soft skills types. Acquiring certification from a bootcamp or other online learning platform serves as hard proof that you can deliver on the job, on top of giving you a sense of achievement.

Short Term Goal Example 3: Organize Your Workspace

Having a disorganized workstation slows down productivity as you waste time rummaging through the pile for the document you need. Clearing up your office area and organizing your desk keeps things simple, allowing you access to essentials with ease and without wasting valuable minutes per day.

In addition, an organized and decluttered workspace will showcase your organizational skills to your coworkers. Overall, an organized workspace reduces stress and improves time management.

Short Term Goal Example 4: Improve Your Communication With Coworkers

Set a short-term goal of improving communication skills among coworkers. This is vital in building professional relationships and becoming an industry leader, whether you’re working remotely or in a physical location.

Attend company events or have lunch with them to start a conversation. After all, you’re dealing with humans at work, not just learning the latest technology or hurrying to meet deadlines.

Short Term Goal Example 5: Be Punctual to Work

Getting to work 15 minutes earlier gives you the space to reflect on the day’s task without distractions from other people when work begins. As a result, you can organize your work area, prioritize tasks, schedule them, and make plans to complete them. Work-related commitment indicates to your employer that you are dedicated to your work.

Short Term Goal Example 6: Get a Work-Life Balance

The urge to do more work and invest more hours in career-related activities can be overwhelming, pushing you beyond your limit. Burnout can happen as a result, affecting your mental health. Taking time out for yourself is crucial to balancing career goals and taking care of your health. Consider careers that offer a good work-life balance.

Short Term Goal Example 7: Work on a Personal Project

Besides increasing income streams, personal projects offer the chance to learn about subjects you’re passionate about. Some of them include writing, photography, and renovating your home. You can experiment without worrying about deadlines or other work-related constraints as you would at the workplace.

Short Term Goal Example 8: Improve Your Professional Skills

Identify the hard and soft skills you need to boost your current performance and focus on honing one within 30 days. Apply it to work and check for improvements. When you deliver impressive results with these skills, pick up another one and repeat the process.

Similarly, learning to reskill in case of a career change is essential for your professional development and keeps you up-to-date with industry trends.

Short Term Goal Example 9: Be Observant

Observing how other employees execute their tasks is a valuable way of identifying better work processes. Also, seek feedback to identify areas of improvement. A personal development note or diary is handy for highlighting activities in your personal life.

Short Term Goal Example 10: Improve Your Networking Skills

Human relations are essential for career success, and networking skills can help you achieve it. Build your professional network by attending company events such as product launches and programs specific to your department. This connects you to learning opportunities and industry leaders to boost your career growth.

Pro Tips: How to Stick to Your Short Term Goals

• Set SMART goals. Keep your goals SMART, that is, specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and time-bound. This eliminates vague goals from your roadmap to success, propelling you to your ultimate goal.
• Make your goals a habit. Set aside 15 minutes in a day to work on your goals. Repeat the process until it becomes a habit and you see results.
• Socialize with successful people. Hang out with industry leaders who’ve contributed positively in their field or your line of work. This offers valuable insight to learn from their story, refine your steps to avoid mistakes, and optimize your effort to pursue your dreams.

What Should Be the Next Step in Short Term Goal Journey?

You can set objectives for achieving your career development goals by making a career development plan. Additionally, it helps you allocate resources to activities that align with your goals judiciously.

Short Term Goals Examples FAQ

What are examples of short-term business goals?

A short-term business goal refers to a company’s business targets within one year. Common examples include Implementing new marketing strategies to reach more customers, cutting down production costs, and increasing sales and profits.

What are some examples of career goal interview questions?

Interviewers ask career goal questions to determine if your career goal aligns with company goals. Also, they want to know if the job role syncs with your long-term goals. Common questions include where do you plan to be in five years, how do you plan to achieve your career goals, and what skills do you need to improve your performance in your current role.

What are some examples of short-term personal goals?

Some popular short-term personal goals are starting an exercise routine, creating an emergency fund, curbing bad spending habits, and contributing to a community project. These goals are measurable and relate to you specifically. Everyone’s personal goals are different.

What are short-term student goals?

Common examples of student goals include launching a career, improving academics, improving grades, securing an internship, and securing a scholarship for college.

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Short-Term Goals: Definition and Examples

Setting short-term career goals can help you achieve your professional aspirations, be more productive in the workplace, and improve overall job satisfaction. To achieve short-term goals, you must first learn how to successfully set them, and then commit yourself to seeing them through to the end. Here, we’ll look at what short-term goals are, explain why they’re important to your career, and provide some examples of workplace goals to keep in mind to improve your professional life.

What are short-term goals?

Short term goals are goals you want to achieve in the near future. Short-term aspirations can be set for today or next week, next month or next year. For example, a short-term goal in the workplace might be to increase productivity over the next 30 days. The purpose of setting short-term goals is to promote your success and support your long-term goals. The more specific and actionable your list of short-term goals is, the more likely you are to achieve each one on time.

Why are short-term goals important?

Short-term career goals are important because they allow you to achieve long-term goals in the long run. Setting a short-term goal can have the following benefits:

• Increases motivation: Setting a short-term goal can be much easier than setting and achieving a long-term goal, and allows you to achieve results faster. Even small accomplishments can help motivate you to keep moving towards your goals and give you the strength to keep moving forward.
• Reduces procrastination: When you have clear goals and actionable steps to achieve them, procrastination is often reduced and you are more motivated to keep going even when things go wrong.
• Provides a clear direction: A list of short-term goals, with actions to take to achieve those goals, gives you a clear direction on which to focus your attention and efforts. This can help prevent time wasted on activities that don’t contribute to your goals and reduce wasted time and energy.
• Contributes to your career success. Regularly setting and achieving goals is an important key to moving forward in your professional life. Without goals, it’s easy to get distracted and go months or even years without progress. Clear goals keep you focused on your long-term career goals.

Examples of Short Term Career Goals

Here are some examples of short term goals and why they are important:

Increasing performance and productivity

Increasing overall productivity will ultimately lead to increased productivity in the workplace. This is one of the most common career-related goals and a great way to directly contribute to increased success in your position. To set short-term performance and performance goals, you must first determine how you will measure your performance, for example by tracking the amount and effectiveness of the work you produce. Track these metrics daily and evaluate your progress at the end of each week.

Find work-life balance

When you’re working on a career advancement, it’s easy to get caught up in your work and want to put in as many hours as you can to achieve your goals and improve your productivity. However, this is not always the most helpful behavior and can quickly lead to burnout. If you find yourself spending many hours at work and little time for yourself outside of the office, improving your work-life balance can be a good short-term goal you can set for yourself. When used effectively, you may notice improvements in your health, productivity at work, and overall well-being.

Get a new certification

You can support and advance your career by earning a certification related to your position. There are also new technologies, industry trends, and ways of doing things, so keeping this information up to date ensures you are doing your best work and learning all the time. There are several courses and certifications you can take online, making it easy to work on this in your spare time.

Organize your workplace

Although this is a short-term goal that can be achieved in a relatively short amount of time, it can greatly increase your productivity and overall job satisfaction. Clutter and disorganization are major sources of distraction and can affect your productivity more than most people realize. Taking a few minutes each day to clean up your office will help you focus on your work and not on random sheets of paper lying on your desk.

Improve a job-related skill

Most jobs require both soft and hard skills to be successful. For example, if you are a marketing manager, you need to have excellent marketing and communication skills. Consider picking one skill that you will focus on over the next month that will keep you productive and efficient in the workplace. You can track the activities you do to further hone this skill and test your abilities in a month. Once you master one skill, move on to the next to continue maintaining your success in the workplace.

Get to the office early

This short-term goal may seem simple at first, but it can have long-term implications for your overall workplace performance and long-term career goals. Coming to work even 10 or 15 minutes earlier than usual gives you more time to plan your day, organize your office and focus on tasks before the office is full. In addition, it shows that you are committed to your job and strive to excel in your position, which can reflect positively on you and make a good impression on your employer.

Connect more with colleagues

Increasing the frequency of your interactions with colleagues can improve your work experience and satisfaction. Make it a rule to talk to at least two people at work every day, even if it’s just for a few minutes. This will help you hone your communication skills and also allow you to build strong professional relationships.

20 examples of career goals (and why they matter) • BUOM

October 14, 2021

A career goal is the result you want to achieve. It’s important to set career goals so you can focus on progress and have plans to achieve your accomplishments. You can set short and long term goals to ensure that you are working towards achieving and getting closer to your dream outcome. In this article, we’ll discuss why goals are important, give 20 examples of career goals you might have, and list some tips to help you set them.

Why are career goals important?

Career goals are important because they keep you focused and motivate you to be active rather than passive in your career. Achievements in professional life can bring benefits in personal life. For example, if you get a promotion, you may receive a higher salary, which allows you to live more comfortably. Goal setting can also help you prioritize and find happiness. Goals provide accountability and ensure that you move up the corporate ladder.

20 examples of career goals

Here are 20 examples of career goals that will help you determine what you want to achieve in your professional life: )

1. Improve productivity

Consider setting a goal to improve your productivity, including productivity and efficiency. This can help you grow quickly as a professional. One way to achieve this goal is to analyze performance metrics such as the quality of your work or the number of tasks you can complete. Using metrics can help you keep track of your goals and continually improve key aspects of your performance.

2. An intern at a company you admire

An internship provides work experience and allows you to observe the working environment of the career you are pursuing. Because many jobs may require an internship, you can set a goal of getting an internship at a company you love. To do this, you can create an amazing internship application and tailor it to the company you are interested in. Do a thorough research of the company and find out what they can look for when choosing interns. If you do this well in advance of applying, you can develop the skills or knowledge that the company prefers from interns.

3. Earn a promotion

Promotion may be on your list of career goals because it promotes career growth and professional development. When you’re ready for a promotion, it’s a good idea to talk to your manager and let them know that you’re interested in more responsibility. Your manager can help determine what steps you can take to show that you deserve a raise.

4. Find a worthwhile career

Finding a job you love can increase job satisfaction and can help you be happier. This is a goal that you can achieve at any time and sometimes requires you to change careers and jobs. Working for different employers throughout your career can clarify aspects of the job that you consider important in order for a career to be desirable.

5. Build your network

Building your network is a useful career goal because your contacts can help you achieve other goals such as professional development. Meeting and staying in touch with professionals gives you the opportunity to learn more about the industry, including job opportunities. People in your network can also mentor you and help you develop your professional skills.

You can build your network by attending networking events and connecting with other professionals through social media. Consider developing a presentation to introduce yourself and inform professionals about your goals and talents.

6. Get certified

Getting certified is a great goal for professionals. Achieving this can help earn a pay raise or promotion. Many professions have specific certifications that you can earn, but in some industries, you may be looking for relevant credentials because there are no specific certifications for your job. Getting certified is also an easy goal to track and a goal you can set for different stages of your career.

7. Get a professional degree

For occupations such as engineering and teaching, you can get a professional degree to certify you in your field. This goal ensures that you will work to develop your skills and expand your knowledge after graduation. Professionally trained people often receive job security and higher wages.

8. Promote your education

Promoting your education is a great goal if there are job opportunities in your industry that require advanced degrees. The highest degree you can get is a doctoral degree. If applicable, you can continue your education and earn degrees while working in your field.

9. Save money

Opening a savings account when you start your career can help you save money for retirement and other future expenses. It may be helpful to set aside a portion of your paycheck each week so you can move towards your savings goals. Understanding your financial goals can also help you in your job search because you can have a better idea of ​​your salary requirements.

10. Become an expert

Becoming an expert in your field has many benefits, including job offers, pay increases, exclusive opportunities and recognition. This is a long term goal that you can achieve by deepening your knowledge and practicing your craft. Finding a mentor to guide you, especially if they have expert status, can help you achieve this goal.

11. Start a business

Starting a business is a good goal for creative people and people with entrepreneurial abilities. Owning a business can provide satisfaction in creating products or offering services, as well as flexibility in how and when you work. Starting a business requires careful planning and research so you can learn about the market, customers, and competition. Be sure to understand the aspects of business management and communicate with other professionals who can help you.

12. Develop your skill set

You can set goals for developing your skill set by identifying the skills that are most important to your job and practicing the tasks associated with those skills. When developing new skills, it is helpful to ask for feedback on your strengths and weaknesses from peers. To achieve this goal, you can also take advantage of training and education opportunities such as online courses, shadow work, and company training programs.

13. Win an award

Receiving recognition for your work can be very motivating, so setting a career goal to receive awards can inspire you to work hard every day. Some professions have specific rewards that you can earn in the industry. You can also set a goal to win company awards or national awards. For example, researchers may receive the Nobel Prize for outstanding and innovative work in their field.

To win an award, try to be innovative and take on additional responsibilities so that other professionals will notice your abilities. If you are working towards national or industry awards, it is helpful to publish your work. For some awards, you can submit an application for review or have other professionals submit you for review.

14. Become a leader

If you have natural leadership qualities or enjoy leading others, becoming a leader is a great goal to set for yourself. To become a leader, it is not necessary to change your position at work, although this can help. You can become a leader by giving support and by volunteering to take on additional responsibilities. As you prepare to achieve this goal, think about the leadership qualities and skills you may need to develop. For example, leaders are great at problem solving and communication.

15. Gain new experience

There is a lot of professional experience in your career. For example, you can work abroad, travel to conferences, speak at events, build a product, or lead a project. Having a goal to gain new experiences can help motivate you and set milestones for achieving long-term goals. For example, gaining experience in lead projects can help you get promoted.

16. Improve work relationships

Your relationships at work can have a big impact on your attitude and work environment. Building meaningful relationships with colleagues can help improve communication, collaboration, and productivity. You can achieve this goal by practicing good communication with colleagues and offering them help on projects. Try to talk regularly with colleagues to build relationships.

17. Innovative process or product

Being an innovator is a valuable quality that can help you advance your career and achieve your goals. To update a process or product, evaluate the item and identify areas for improvement. You can also be innovative by creating a new process or product.

18. Achieve a better work-life balance

Work-life balance means that there is a balance between your personal and work life. Ideally, you can devote your time to the priorities in your life and succeed professionally and personally. Work-life balance is unique to each person, so finding and improving it depends on how you prioritize aspects of your life. Determine what’s important and develop time management techniques to make sure you can attend to all of your priorities. Striking this balance may also depend on your employer and the flexibility they can offer you.

19. Create a personal brand

A personal streak is how you present yourself to others. If one of your career goals is to build your own personal brand, consider how you want others to perceive you. A personal brand can instill confidence in you, increase your visibility in the industry, and show that you are a unique professional. Personal branding is especially important for freelancers who can use their personal brand to promote their services.

To create a personal brand, define the image and personality traits that you want others to associate with you. You can make a personal logo, create a website, and set up social media accounts to match your personal brand. As with a company brand, it’s important to be consistent in how you act and communicate in order to grow your brand.

20. Retire

Retirement with enough savings to support you is a common career end goal. Typically, people retire between the ages of 65 and 70. To save money for retirement, it is useful to open a savings account in advance. Employers often provide retirement benefits in the form of a pension or 401(k), which helps you save money throughout your career. You may also want to consider investing to earn income from these assets.

Career Goal Setting Tips

Follow these tips to set your career goals:

Set Metrics

You can be more successful in achieving your goals if you set goals that you can measure. Determining metrics such as quality, productivity, and timelines can help you quantify and track your goals. Being able to measure your goals also helps make sure they are achievable.

Align your goals

Aligning your short and long term goals can help you make progress, no matter what goal you are currently focused on. For example, a short-term goal could be skill development, and you could include this as part of a long-term goal, such as becoming a manager by creating a skill set that managers use. Many career goals can contribute to the achievement of others, so understanding how your goals are connected can help you succeed faster.

Ask for help

Asking colleagues for help in achieving your goals opens up access to additional tools and knowledge. It’s helpful to find a mentor early in your career so you can learn more about career progression and how to develop your skills for your particular industry. Your professional network is also a great resource when you need help reaching your goals.

Some goals may depend on help or recognition from others. For example, if you want to get promoted or change jobs, it’s a good idea to let your manager know so they know you’re interested. Employers and managers may be more likely to consider you for a position they know you’re working on.