If you (or a client of yours) feel dissatisfied with your career, setting a career goal is one of the best things you can do.
Professional development goals give you focus. Instead of taking ten steps in ten different directions, you’ll be taking ten steps forward in the same direction. Focus creates progress.
Goals can help you build a career with intention. They give you a bit more control.
Not to mention, having a well-fitting goal can be fun. It can inspire you to put in a little more elbow grease and to achieve accomplishments you otherwise wouldn't.
In this post, we’ll go over some of the best career goal examples. And hopefully, by the end of the article, you’ll feel inspired to pick out the top goal that aligns with your career.
Whether you are a career coach looking to help your clients or someone looking to propel your own career, this article is for you.
What Makes a Good Career Goal
You shouldn’t just pick any old goal. Some goals will be more helpful and fitting than others.
When thinking about what goal to set for yourself, here are some considerations.
Excitement: A good goal should feel exciting and motivating.
Impact: Completing your goal should move you in the direction you want to go. This often means picking a goal that addresses your current bottleneck.
Don’t pick something too easy. If your goal is too easy, it won’t give you traction or force you to grow. “The things we’re striving for are just the bait. Struggling to get them forces us to evolve,” says Ray Dalio.
Don’t pick something too hard. If the goal is too big - aka unattainable, and you’re guaranteed for failure, it might just stall your momentum and bruise your confidence.
Specific. Your goal should be precise enough that you can know for certain whether you complete it or not. Goals like “Get better at my job” are a bit too vague, and it’s too easy to convince yourself that you achieved it when you might not have (or vice versa).
Pick one goal at a time. If you try to accomplish too many goals at once, your focus may get pulled in too many directions, causing you to feel scattered and to fall short on all of your goals. “If you chase two rabbits, you catch none,” the saying goes.
Process, not outcome. It’s good to make goals based on process (EG, I’ll write every day for 20 minutes) because you have control over your actions. But outcome goals (EG, I’ll write a best seller) are a bit more dangerous because the outcome is outside your control. As James Clear writes, “It is your commitment to the process that will determine your progress.”
With that said, let’s go over some career goal examples!
Examples of Career Goals
We’ll go over the following types of career goals:
Career transitions and career growth goals
Skill development goals
Networking goals
Leadership goals
Personal branding goals
Financial growth goals
Time management goals
Education and certification goals
Work-life balance goals
Notice which categories and specific goals below jump out at you.
Career transitions and career growth goals
If you want to accelerate your career advancement or take it in a new direction entirely, try one of these goals.
Transition into a new career path
When you feel like you’re doing the work you’re meant to be, then you’ll return from most days on the job feeling vitalized and grateful.
But when you’re in the wrong field, role, or company, work can feel draining. You might experience dread on Sunday evening, knowing that there must be more to life than this.
If that’s the case, you may consider trying out a new career path. Making a career switch can be a lot of work, but if you’re moving closer to your dream job, you
won’t regret it.
Example goal: Over the next three months, conduct one informational interview per week to explore different career paths.
Land a promotion
It can be easy to fall into complacency and simply coast by in your current position.
But if you’re feeling stagnant and are ready for some progress in your career journey, consider taking the initiative to get a promotion and climb further up the career ladder.
A better title means more responsibility, more pay, and more career capital.
Example goal: Set up a conversation with your boss within the next week asking what you’d need to do to earn a promotion. Then spend the next 6 months putting that feedback into action.
Get a job at your dream company
Some folks know of a company whose mission, product, or work culture deeply resonates with them.
If that’s you, then why just dream about working there forever? Time to take matters into your own hands!
This may be more of a long-term goal, depending on if they are currently hiring or not. But you can create smaller short-term goals as stepping stones to move in the right direction.
Example goal: Set up 5 Informational Interviews with employees from your dream company in the next month. Ask them for advice on how to build your résumé to work there.
Quit your 9-to-5 to pursue freelancing or consulting
The 9-5 office routine doesn’t work for all of us. It makes some employees feel like birds in a small cage, forced into hours and schedules that don’t align with their natural rhythm.
One solution is to take your efforts and expertise from full-time work into self-employment, such as working as a freelancer or consultant.
This can often feel like a scary and uncertain leap, so having some concrete goals could help tremendously.
Example goals: Within the next six months, save three months' worth of living expenses, create a portfolio showcasing your best work, and secure at least two freelance clients or consulting projects.
Start your own business
Do you ever catch yourself gazing longingly out the window at work, yearning for freedom, and nurturing a secret dream to build your own thing?
Starting a business is a path full of challenges and risks. But for those who are truly called to it, nothing could be more fulfilling.
It’ll take courage to get started. But if entrepreneurship is something you’ve always wanted to try, why wait?
Example goal: Set aside one evening each week for the next three months to research and develop a business plan. Include a market analysis, your target audience, and some initial product/service ideas. After three months, decide if you’re going to go for it or not.
Skills development goals
Here are some goals to help you sharpen your abilities, excel in your role, and increase your professional value.
Learn a new technology or tool
Whether SQL, Google Analytics, Notion, or Rust, picking up a new tool will bring your career capital to the next level.
It’ll enable you to take on new responsibilities in your current role or to apply for a new one altogether.
Example goal: Pick a tool you want to learn, and spend 30 minutes per day, 3 days per week learning it. Keep this pace for a month.
Improve your strategic thinking
Knowing how to think strategically is one of the most important meta-skills out there.
If you become a better strategizer, not only will you do better work at your job, but you’ll also make better decisions in architecting your career, which will take you further faster.
Example goal: Read one of the following books this month:
Good Strategy Bad Strategy: The Difference and Why It Matters by Richard Rumelt. Rumelt uses tons of case studies to break down what actually makes an effective business strategy.
Thinking in Bets: Making Smarter Decisions When You Don't Have All the Facts by Annie Duke. Professional poker player Annie Duke explains how to think probabilistically and make better risk assessments.
Your Next Five Moves: Master the Art of Business Strategy by Patrick Bet-David. This book teaches you how to look ahead and plan big-picture goals.
Improve your public speaking skills
If you want your voice to command more respect at meetings, or if you'd like to feel more confident presenting your ideas in front of colleagues, consider practicing your speaking skills and getting more comfortable in the spotlight.
Public speaking is one of the soft skills that’ll benefit you in almost every role you’ll have for the rest of your career.
Example goal: Attend at least 10 Toastmasters meetings over the next 3 months.
Networking goals
Networking is a long game that will pay off huge dividends down the line. If you want to put energy into building your professional network and practicing your networking skills, think about one of these goals.
Attend industry conferences
Conferences are gateways to the core of your industry.
They bring together industry leaders, create opportunities for powerful connections, and put you at the cutting edge of your field.
Example goal: Attend three major conferences or industry events this year.
Create a mastermind group
A mastermind is a small group of people who meet regularly to professionally support each other. They may share ideas and resources, give advice, coach each other, or hold each other accountable.
The term was coined by Napoleon Hill in his 1928 book The Laws of Success.
Some people don’t like the name “mastermind,” but regardless of the name, regularly meeting with a group of driven colleagues can be a game-changer. It can inspire you, give you new ideas, and keep you motivated.
There’s an old saying that goes, “If you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together.” A mastermind group can help you go far.
Example goal: By the end of the month, invite 3-5 professional contacts into a mastermind group where you all commit to four meetings as a trial.
30 networking calls in 30 days
If you really want to strap your network to a rocketship, consider a goal like this one.
30-day challenges are notoriously difficult but effective ways to see significant forward movement in any part of your life.
If you choose to take on this goal, here are 9 tactics for building a robust network to help you find 30 people for these calls.
Example goal: In the next 30 days, I will conduct 30 networking calls.
Leadership goals
Whether or not you have a formal leadership role, If one of your career aspirations is to become a leader who others want to follow, then check out these goals to practice your leadership skills.
Take on a mentorship role
It can feel deeply fulfilling to serve as a career mentor to younger employees and help them learn, grow, and find their way.
If your company has a formal mentorship program, consider throwing your hat in the ring. Otherwise, make it known that you are open to mentoring more junior employees.
Example goal: Join your company’s mentorship program within the next month and commit to meeting with your mentee biweekly for the next six months.
Get better at listening
“Holding space” is a term used by therapists, coaches, and facilitators. It refers to a type of deeply present listening where you fully accept all aspects of the person in front of you, and avoid fixing or changing their experience.
It’s the type of listening where the other person leaves the conversation feeling lighter. They get the experience of feeling seen, understood, and accepted.
If you’re a team leader, then you’re probably good at supporting them with their professional goals and keeping them on track.
But if you want to be a next-level manager and leader, then it could help to learn to listen with extreme presence and empathy. Where the other person feels absolute permission to express, however they are feeling.
Example goal: For the next month, practice active listening in three 1-on-1s per week by taking no notes, maintaining eye contact, asking two follow-up questions before offering any suggestions, and writing a brief reflection after each conversation about what the person was feeling beneath their words.
Spearhead an internal initiative
Every organization has room for improvement. And chances are, you've noticed some gaps that could be filled or processes that could be made smoother.
Maybe your company lacks a proper onboarding system for new hires. Or perhaps there's no structured way to share knowledge between teams. Or maybe your company’s DEI practices are lackluster.
Launching an internal initiative is a great chance to step up and gain hands-on experience in a leadership position.
You’ll get to showcase your ability to proactively identify opportunities, rally support, and execute ideas that benefit the whole organization.
Example goal: Pick an initiative and launch it by the end of next quarter (EG it could be a peer mentorship program where you match 10 senior-junior employee pairs and gather feedback).
Improve your executive presence
When you exude a strong executive presence, people will start to look to you for answers. They will trust your vision, respect your voice, and feel called to follow you.
Part of executive presence is your confidence and gravitas, part is your presentation and professional brand, and part is your leadership skills. If you can put those three together, you’ll be a leader for the ages.
Here’s an article that goes a bit deeper into executive presence.
Example goal: Seek out executive coaching in the next six months.
Professional branding goals
In the age of content, a personal brand is your ticket to career opportunities. Here are some ideas for career development goals that will build your brand.
Develop a presence on LinkedIn
Careers can be built on LinkedIn.
If you’re willing to put some time into writing thought-provoking posts and engaging with others’ content, you can slowly and gradually amass a following and a strong network on LinkedIn.
It’ll take consistency. But the payoff is so worth it.
Example goal: In the next two weeks write out 10 LinkedIn posts and schedule them to post once per week.
Publish a book
Even in this era of digital content, books still have their place.
If you publish a book in your field of expertise, it immediately adds credibility and respect to your name.
Plus, self-publishing is a viable option these days, so there is no real barrier to entry.
It’ll take time and sweat, but if writing is a legitimate interest of yours, the juice might be worth the squeeze.
Example goal: Create an outline and a timeline for a book premise in the next month.
Guest on podcasts
Guesting on industry podcasts has two bonuses—you get to network with interesting people in your field, and you position yourself as an expert.
It’s also easier to get on podcasts than you might think. You just have to reach out to podcast hosts and ask! It’s something most people don’t do.
Especially if you have a specific topic of expertise you want to discuss or a new product or service to talk about.
Example goal: Pitch yourself to ten industry-relevant podcasts this month.
Financial growth goals
Money is a huge part of career success. Ideally, you feel fairly compensated for your work. Feeling too financially tight and scarce can make it harder to look into the future and plan your career because you’re worried about paying the bills.
Here are some goal ideas for putting more money into your bank account.
Negotiate a raise
One of the easiest ways to make more money is to ask for it!
Consider having a candidate conversation with your manager where you make a case for a raise.
Interestingly, 55% of employees don’t ask for raises. And the main block getting in their way? Fear.
But there’s no need to worry—you can have a thoughtful, respectful conversation with your boss without it reflecting poorly on you. And with a bit of preparation, you may very well walk away with a higher wage.
Example goal: Set up a meeting with your boss in the next two weeks to propose a raise.
Here’s an article that should give you some ideas on how to prepare for the conversation.
Start a side hustle
Having multiple income streams can give you a greater feeling of career stability. As they say, the strongest systems have no single point of failure.
Plus, picking up a side hustle can teach you new skills, expand your network, introduce you to new industries, and contribute to your personal growth. All while giving you an income boost.
You could flip cars, teach online courses, or start a weekend photography business. Whatever you’d find interesting and compelling enough to put some time into.
Example goal: Based on your interests and skills, pick a side hustle and put 5 hours a week into getting it off the ground over the next three months.
Increase your savings
Over half of Americans live paycheck to paycheck, according to surveys. When you’re struggling to pay the bills, it can be hard to think big picture and to move your career in a more fulfilling direction.
One way out of this cycle is to start saving.
Saving money is a habit. If you don’t currently put some of your paychecks into savings of some kind, there’s no better time to start than now! It’ll build you a buffer that’ll add up over time and compile over the years.
And if you already are in the habit of saving money, can you up your monthly contribution by a few percent? Your future self will thank you.
Example goal: Try saving 5% more of your monthly income. Give it a shot for 3 months to see if you can manage the lifestyle shift.
Time management goals
If efficiency, organization, or focus are your weak spots, then these are the goals to focus on.
Implement a task automation system
What are some rote tasks you do every day, week, or month?
Imagine if you had automation set up so you didn’t have to bill your client, send team meeting reminders, or manually post on social media. It could save you hours!
Example goal: Identify and automate at least two recurring tasks within the next month and track how much time it saves you.
Read a book on time management skills
One of the best ways to become more productive and efficient is to read advice from the experts.
Implementing a new habit or mindset can have profound, compiling effects over the years.
If you often feel overwhelmed, rushed, scattered, or like you’re not making meaningful progress, then this goal may be for you.
Example goal: Read one of the following books this month:
Getting Things Done by David Allen. One of the all-time classics on task management and productivity, this book will give you a tried-and-true method to help you stay organized and reduce stress.
Deep Work by Cal Newport. Newport will teach you to focus deeply and tackle meaningful work without distraction.
168 Hours: You Have More Time Than You Think by Laura Vanderkam. Here’s a practical look at how to make the most of the 168 hours you have each week.
Hire a virtual assistant
If you can afford it, working with a VA can be a life changer. It’ll give you more time and bandwidth.
VAs are especially useful for freelancers, entrepreneurs, and small business owners. If you’re juggling multiple tasks all the time, a VA can be a lifesaver. Though frankly, any busy professional could find a great use for a VA.
You can delegate tasks to lighten your load. Whether it’s scheduling, responding to emails, organizing projects, posting on social media, or tracking deadlines, VAs let you shovel some work off your plate and give yourself some time back.
Example goal: Interview 5 potential VAs over the next 3 weeks.
Education and certification goals
Completing a course or certification will both deepen your knowledge base and give a strong upgrade to your résumé.
Earn a professional certification
Professional certification provides a huge boost to your résumé and your market value for potential employers.
Not to mention, you’ll deepen your skillset and industry knowledge.
Whether you certify as a Project Management Professional, a Certified Public Accountant, or a Certified Information Systems Security Professional, you're investing in credentials that employers consistently seek out.
No matter your professional aspirations, getting a professional certificate will give you a boost.
Example Goal: Select and enroll in a certification program within a month.
Here’s a list of 44 professional certifications to get you started.
Take a course
Things are moving fast. If you want to stay relevant, you need to be proactive in improving your essential skills and knowledge with continuous learning.
One of the best ways to do this is to enroll in a course. Whether it’s a cohort-based course or a self-paced online course, you’ll up your knowledge base and become a more competent worker.
Example goal: Identify a high-impact course relevant to your field this week and enroll by the end of the month.
Work-life balance goals
If work feels a bit too hectic and stressful, consider these goals.
Negotiate one more remote day per week
Working from home can make life a lot easier. You don’t need to spend extra time in traffic or change out of your PJs if you don’t want to.
Plus, studies suggest that remote workers are more productive, happier, and less likely to quit.
If you’ve made yourself valuable to your company, then you probably have a bit more bargaining power than you realize. Hiring new employees is a costly hassle.
See if you can negotiate one more day of remote work into your weekly schedule.
Example goal: Schedule a conversation with your manager this month to propose adding an additional remote workday to your weekly schedule. Come in with a list of your recent accomplishments and an explanation of why working from home helps you be more productive.
Set strong boundaries on checking work email
Work email is one of the biggest killers of work-life balance.
It’s so sneaky. It just takes a minute to check.
But when it becomes a habit for you to respond to work emails at 10 pm after your kids are in bed, or Saturday after lunch, then you’ve dissolved your boundaries between your professional and personal life.
And this essentially means your work brain is “on” all the time. Which is a problem.
Think of work performance as a pendulum. For it to reach peak momentum, it needs to swing fully in both directions. But if you never let it swing fully in the “rest” direction, it loses its power in the “work” direction.
Example goal: For the next two weeks, completely disconnect from your work email and tasks after 7 pm each night and on weekends.
Takeaways on Career Goals
Whether for yourself or your client, setting the right goal is a great way to add some direction and momentum to your career.
If you could use some support clarifying what you want out of your career and how to move forward, consider meeting with a career coach. They can help you figure out what you really want out of work and how to get there.
Just fill out this form, and the International Association of Career Coaches will send you a few potential matches for you to reach out to.
And if you are a career coach and want further training, you might like the Senior Professional Career Coach Certification here at the IACC where you’ll get certified, build new skills, and meet an amazing faculty and community of fellow career coaches.
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