Setting Your Own Professional Goals

Professional goals are ones that can help you progress in your career. They are more focused on your work life rather than your personal life. For instance, building your skill set or explaining your professional network are both great goals for a professional to have. By setting these goals, you can actively work toward growing your career.

Follow these steps to set better professional goals:

1. Reflect on what you want

Before setting your goals, it’s a good idea to know what your ideal career looks like. Even just thinking of this short-term can help you begin the steps to eventually setting more substantial goals. By breaking your bigger goals into smaller chunks, it becomes easier for you to get started. Also, many small goals can eventually add up to a bigger one. For example, if your biggest career goal is to be an executive, you need to set smaller goals like building your network, climbing the company ladder, and developing leadership skills to get there.

2. Use the SMART method

When it’s time to start creating goals, using the SMART method can help you create a goal that is more focused and realistic. The SMART acronym is made up of the following components:

• Specific: Narrow down your goal to have a clearer idea of what exactly you want to achieve.
• Measurable: Find ways you’re going to assess the progress of your goal.
• Achievable: Although your goal can be ambitious, make sure it is realistic enough to actually work towards it.
• Relevant: Make sure this career goal is actually related to what you want to do, your values, and your bigger long-term goals.
• Time-bound: Rather than leaving your goal open-ended, choose a deadline, and set important milestones along the way.

3. Celebrate your successes

When you complete one goal, it’s important to create new ones to work toward. Of course, it’s also important to celebrate your achievements and reflect on the process. By rewarding yourself when you reach a goal, you can help yourself feel more motivated to keep moving forward.

These are examples of professional goals that can help an individual grow in their career:

Example 1: Continuing education

Along with expanding your horizons, seeking higher education can lead to better job prospects. By earning additional degrees or certificates, you can continue to deepen your expertise in a certain area of study. Likewise, more education can lead to raises, promotions, or better job offers.

Example 2: Improve a skill

Whether you want to be a better communicator or develop a technical skill like computer programming, having a clear idea of the skills you want to improve can help you push your career to the next level. The more skills you have under your belt, the more qualified you are for jobs you’re applying to. When choosing a skill to work on, choose one that can open you to more professional opportunities.

Example 3: Changing careers

Perhaps you are no longer loving your current career choice and would like to explore something else. You can work toward this goal by first learning more about different opportunities. Then, you can begin to do things like networking, gaining experience, or getting the proper training for the job you want. This may be a long-term goal that you can create a smaller set of goals to get you there.

Example 4: Becoming your own boss

If you’re growing tired of working for others, you may be happier being your own boss. Likewise, you may have a passion to use your interests and expertise to serve others. By getting experience in your desired field now, you can gain the skills you need to run a successful business. Many entrepreneurs start small and put in a lot of time and effort to make something they’re proud of.

Example 5: Enjoy the work you do

Sometimes the greatest indicator of success is genuinely enjoying what you do. To attain this goal you may need to work toward another job or learn how to look at things in a more positive way. Reflect on if your current unrest is due to your situation or simply your mindset.

Follow these steps when answering an interview question about your career goals:

1. Relate them to the job

If an interviewer asks you about your career goals, try to focus on what you want to do at their company. This shows them that you envision a long future with them and hope to grow in your position. It’s okay to discuss wanting to eventually move up in the company, likewise they will like to hear about specific skills you wish to develop.

2. Show you’re ambitious yet realistic

When sharing your goals, think back to the SMART method. You want an employer to see that you are both motivated and realistic when it comes to your work. They may appreciate having a go-getter around, but it’s also useful to explain how exactly you plan to do that.

3. Discuss short-term and long-term goals

Share what you hope to do right when you start the job and what you would do in the future. Having goals to work toward right away shows that you’re driven and ready to propel your career. Likewise, sharing long-term goals shows that you can be invested in the workplace.