Are you looking to get ahead in your career? Whether it’s with a promotion, degree, or different job, stop wishing and instead start setting career goals. Having specific, measurable, and realistic goals in place is your ticket to success.
However, if you’re not sure how to go about the process, where do you begin? Here are some tips:
Start small.
You might have a big goal, such as finding a new job. However, it’s easier to achieve it when you break it into several, smaller goals. For instance, one goal could be to create a new resume. Another goal could be to update your LinkedIn profile. When you break big goals into bite-size ones, it will be easier to make progress and stay motivated.
Get specific.
It’s easy to say you want to get ahead in your career. However, what does that mean for you? Do you want to take a step up the company ladder? Are you ready for some new and bigger projects? Are you interested in gaining different technical skills? Do you want to switch industries or jobs, or earn recognition through a certain award? Whatever you want to do, it’s important to get specific, name it, and be as detailed as possible.
Measure your goals.
Another important aspect of goal setting is thinking about how you will measure progress. This means setting certain milestones along the way to take a step back and take stock of your efforts.
For instance, if you want to earn a promotion, what skills and abilities can you attain this month, in six months and in one year to get there? Make sure you’re setting a time on your schedule to check-in at these key points to measure your progress.
Think long-term too.
When it comes to setting goals, it’s also important to consider the big picture. For instance, if your ultimate goal is to attain a management position in the next five years, what do you need to do now, next year and down the line to achieve that vision?
When you’re thinking about the future, it’s always helpful to set a start and end date for specific goals. This will bring the process to life and help you create a timetable for achieving it.
Don’t forget about your personal life.
If you’re in the goal-setting frame of mind, don’t forget about your personal life. What goals or accomplishments do you want to achieve in the short- and long-term?
For instance, you might want to learn a new language, get in better physical shape or pursue a degree in a different field? Consider where you are and where you want to be in the future to set goals for your life, too. Skills you learn can also often be transferable to your work, so you’re having a positive impact on your career, too.
Is getting a new job your goal for the future?
Future Force can help. As one of the leading temporary hiring agencies, we fill a range of positions, from temp to temp-to-hire to full-time. We can work with you to learn about your goals, assess your background, and match you with your next great job opportunity. Get started by searching our jobs now.
