What Is A Career Goal
A career goal is the ideal state that you aim for in your professional life. Career goals can be characterized as short-term or long-term, depending on how much time you anticipate working toward achieving your goal. Ultimately, achieving your short-term and long-term career goals will bring you closer to your career aspirations.
Get A New Certificate Or Degree
With new technology and processes being implemented, the workforce is constantly changing. To keep up with these changes and improve your knowledge, you may want to consider pursuing a new certificate, diploma, or degree. Your short-term goals can be to complete individual courses, as many colleges and universities offer part-time learning. You can even take classes online when you’re not working. Having a new educational background can improve your career prospects and help you stand out over other candidates. This allows you to seek a promotion or even a new career.
Pursue A New Occupation Or Role
You can deem changing jobs as a short-term professional goal. There are times when a job or organisation is unable to assist you in furthering your professional growth. By shifting jobs, you can keep yourself motivated and retain your drive to continuously grow, which can boost your professional opportunities in the long run.
Read Also: What Career Choice Is Best For Me
Why Employers Ask What Are Your Short
Employers ask about your short-term goals to better understand your career direction and where you see yourself shortly. They also want to know that you have realistic expectations regarding the job you’re interviewing for and where it can lead you. Your answer lets them identify any alignments or discrepancies between your short-term goals and what they can offer you as a company. If your goals match what they can provide regarding employment, you may have a better chance of getting hired.
Related:Interview Question: “What Are Your Future Goals?”
Double Your Productivity Level

If you want to excel in your career, achieve your professional goal, and get things done on time, then you should double your productivity with the help of a task management software, nTask. In the world of tech, you cannot manage all your work by creating a to-do list on a piece of paper, or remembering your schedule by yourself if you manage complex projects.
You will need a robust application that can help you to double your productivity level and save much of your time to focus on more critical tasks. You dont need to worry, as you can use nTask free forever to get started with the boost your productivity to the next level. When you get successful in improving your productivity with the help of the nTask management software, you can get a step ahead of your team members and grow your skillset.
Also Check: Career Paths For Biology Majors
What Is A Goal
Before we dive in, lets take a beat to discuss the differences between a goal and a short-term goal. First, the definition of a life goal, according to Merriam-Webster:
Something that you are trying to do or achieve.
You probably already knew that, but its never a bad idea to review. So whats the official definition of a short-term goal?
Learn More About The Company
You may be surprised by how much you can learn about a company by simply doing some research. You dont need to be on the inside to understand the companys mission, values, and goals.
This research can come in handy during a job interview or performance review as youll be able to relate your goals to the companys. Keep up with company info even after you get hired. Staying on top of things may lead to a promotion, raise, or knowledge of discounts others may not know about.
Don’t Miss: National Career Education Citrus Heights Ca 95610
Organize Your Working Environment
Tidying your desk might not seem like the most beneficial of short-term career goals, but clutter is a distraction, and a disorganized workspace means more time spent looking for what you need.
To meet long-term objectives, you need to be productive in the here and now and productivity is best achieved in a well-structured, organized work environment.
Its not just your physical desk either. Its also wise to apply organizational skills in a digital context, storing and archiving emails regularly, tidying your desktop display and implementing a smart digital filing system.
Open A Checking Account At A Separate Bank
The bank crash that happened a decade ago is a good reminder of why you shouldnt keep all your eggs in one basket. If you have all your money in one bank and that bank goes under, you could lose everything.
To protect yourself, its a good idea to open a checking account at a different bank. That way, if one bank fails, you will still have access to your money.
Also Check: Career Services Center Bakersfield Ca
Short Term Goal Example : Get A Work
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.
Grow Your Professional Network
Some of the best opportunities can come from people youve met throughout your career, so a great short-term goal is to extend your professional network.
Start with those closest to you and make a point of interacting with coworkers outside your immediate team. Their own position might not seem relevant to your career, but you never know where your next life-changing introduction might come from.
If your company regularly attends conferences or events, ask to be involved, as these occasions often present valuable networking opportunities.
You can also focus on digital networking. A powerful , polished profile and targeted engagement can bring useful connections that could prove influential to your wider career goals.
How to Set Short Term Career Goals
You May Like: Career Path For Executive Assistant
Reducing Your Monthly Expenses
This is really an important short-term financial goal if you want to save money for a special purpose. In order to save some bucks for your year-end event or for emergency cases then you should start reducing your monthly expenses.
You can start off by reducing those expenses which are of less importance for you and start doing your monthly groceries from wholesale stores where you can get more discounts. This is a good way to save up money by the end of each year.
Tips To Achieve Your Goal

- Write down the steps. Write down your career goal and the steps to get there. This will help you remember and achieve each step. Post your list where you will see it often.
- Set deadlines. Give yourself a date to complete your goals by. Write the date when you actually finish each step.
- Reward yourself. Taking steps toward goals is hard work. Think of small rewards to give yourself when you complete any step, to help you stay motivated.
- Have a goal partner. Find someone to help you stick to your plan: a friend, co-worker, a job coach, or someone else. Discuss your goals, and check in with them when you complete steps. If possible, do the same for your partner!
Read Also: Texas Workforce Career Schools And Colleges
How To Achieve Your Short Term Goals
Working towards a short-term goal can be inspiring, but it can also be difficult to stay on track. How do you accomplish a short-term goal without getting discouraged? Here are a few things to keep in mind:
Increase Your Performance Metric
Among other things, your performance metrics must include how effective you are in the workplace by grasping job skills meaning.
It may be helpful to provide customer support, to provide projects within the deadline, or reduce your companys costs But if your performance is measured, addressing your matrix helps you to build your reputation at work and makes it easier for you to achieve long-term goals such as promotion.
You May Like: Career And Technical Education Degree
How To Choose Your Career Goals
First, look at the basic building blocks. They are numbered 1-9 in todays list.
If you feel you are falling short in any of these areas. Then make one or more of them a priority,
Second, look at goal duration. To make sure you have a least one short-term career goal, one medium-term career goal, and one long-term career goal. So you are balanced across the time spectrum.
You may also want to break down goals that will take 3 or more years to complete into short-term steps. Then, as you complete your short-term goals and steps for longer-term goals, replace them with others.
Third, balance your goal selection across the 6 categories I described above.
Finally, dont take on too many goals at once. In my opinion, 5 should be plenty. However, assess it for yourself. Carefully consider your capacity for taking on more or less than 5.
Then, after you select your goals. Its time to set them
Why Is It Important To Have Short
Short-term goals are one of the most beneficial career strategies. They are the stepping stones between where you currently stand and where you hope to end up.
Without them, your end goal is likely to become no more than a pipe dream.
Provided your short-term goals are chosen strategically, they can help you to:
-
Break down overwhelming objectives into small, bite-sized tasks that are easier to manage.
-
Maintain motivation as you tick each goal off your list and move closer to your long-term aspirations.
-
Reassess expectations and priorities as your working and personal lives shift.
-
Keep you grounded and focused on the tasks at hand, instead of losing yourself in the bigger picture.
-
Demonstrate to those around you that you are committed to a successful career and willing to go the extra mile to make things happen.
Whether youre a student in the early stages of career exploration or an established professional, continually setting and working towards short-term career goals should be a top priority.
Also Check: Career Paths For Police Officers
Why Are Career Goals Important
Career goals are important because they provide focus and motivate you to be active rather than passive in your career. Achievements in your professional life can benefit you in your personal life as well. For example, if you earn promotions, you may earn a higher salary, which enables you to live more comfortably. Setting goals can also help you set priorities and find happiness. Goals provide accountability and ensure that you’re progressing in your career.
Transition To A New Industry Or Field
I was in G.E. Healthcare and I wanted to make the transition to G.E. Aviation. I was really interested in some of the technologies that were coming out of aviation and was doing a lot of interesting things in digital aviation and 3D printing. I started networking with people in that particular business unit who were in my area of sales. Lo and behold, the networking that initially was self-serving actually ended up being very beneficial to my current business unit and we found all these amazing synergies that we werent exploring. Amber Roberson, Carbon
Don’t Miss: How To Grow In Accounting Career
Take A Course On Something You Want To Learn More About
This short-term goal will help you learn more about something that interests you. For example, lets say that your short term goal is to take an online course on how to play the guitar in one month so that next year when it comes time for family gatherings with your relatives who play music youll be able to sit in and jam with them.
Arrive Early And Structure Your Day

One of the simplest and most achievable short-term career goals, good timekeeping can have a major impact on your long-term career prospects.
Regardless of whether youre working remotely or out of an office, arriving at your desk just 10 to 15 minutes early gives you time to take stock and plan your day effectively.
This boosts productivity and leads to an increased sense of accomplishment, which can be a powerful motivator in itself.
Not only that, it paints a picture of a dedicated employee, committed to both their role and wider company objectives.
You May Like: Career Path Of Business Analyst
What Are Your Career Goals How To Answer This Interview Question
When an interviewer asks, What are your career goals? you might wonder why theyre asking. After all, youre in the interview to get a job. Isnt that your career goal? You might even think you dont have career goals beyond your immediate job application!
But there is a reason an interviewer asks this , and understanding why can help you frame your response. It can also help you figure out if this job is right for you and even help you identify career goals you didnt know you had.
In this guide, we cover:
Reconnect With An Old Friend Or Family Member
With our busy lives, it’s easy to lose touch with the people we care about. Make an effort to reconnect with an old friend or family member. You may be surprised at how much you have in common now. However, don’t be alarmed if you don’t end up close again some people are just meant to be in our lives for a season.
Read Also: Strange Career Of Jim Crow Sparknotes
Differentiate Yourself In The Field
To be a leader, you have to increase your visibility in your current company and in your area. Show the boss you have the possibility to manage by spearheading an initiative. Working on a group project? Be the first to report to your manager. Join an industry group or association and attend regular networking events.
According to Marcel Yager, president of DSC-based professional coaching career wallet in Washington, Personalized networking is unchanged. You are more memorable when you face it. You can even take a leadership role to enhance your public profile.
Also, develop a strong online presence that will help you showcase your skills. Its active on social media meaning you have to make regular tweets, not just a Twitter account.
Embracing Setbacks Helps Motivation
Lets talk about what happens when you dont meet your goal.
First of all, goals are targets, and you dont have to have 100% success with them.
I would argue that setbacks are at least as important as gains. Setbacks teach you how to fail quickly and efficiently. The more times you fall off and get back on, the greater your chances of turning your short-term goal into a long-term achievement.
How many times have you gotten into a good exercise routine only to stop completely for several months because the routine got tripped up with a vacation, holidays, or stressful work week?
In fact, the moment you realize youre off course is proof your goals are working. If youre able to quickly realize that you havent been doing your goal, it means its a measurable goal and you can make the necessary adjustments to get back on track right then and there.
This could be as simple as: Take a deep breath once you realize youve fallen off. Feel good about being self-aware enough to realize it. Let it go. Then
Immediately take a step toward meeting your goal, like setting an extra alarm to wake up for your morning work out, or calling your goal-buddy to let them know what happened. Or didnt happen.
Short-term goals are the building blocks of long-term goals because they create the critical momentum you need to get started and keep moving:
The creation of momentum is what proves to yourself that you are capable of establishing a goal and working toward it.
Read Also: I Want To Change Career Paths
Learn About New Technology
New technology is constantly being invented and implemented in every industry. Learning how to use it can help you work more efficiently and improve your performance at work. Keeping up-to-date with technological developments may even allow you to suggest new technology to your managers to increase productivity for everyone.
Interview Question: What Are Your Short
The Indeed Editorial Team comprises a diverse and talented team of writers, researchers and subject matter experts equipped with Indeed’s data and insights to deliver useful tips to help guide your career journey.
Related: Where Do You See Yourself in 5 Years? 4 Secrets to BEST Answer
Holl shares 4 interview tips on how you can prepare to deliver a strategic statement that shows you are an excellent candidate for the company.
Employers ask a variety of questions throughout the interview process to evaluate your qualifications for the role they’re hiring for. When they ask about your short-term goals, for example, your answer lets them know if your career objectives align with what you can accomplish at their company. Understanding how to answer this question successfully can help you advance in the hiring process.
In this article, we explain why employers ask about your short-term goals, how to answer this interview question and provide you with examples to help you craft your answer.
Related:14 Short-Term Goals To Improve Your Career Today
Read Also: How To Start An Hr Career