Should You Include Career Aspirations On Your Resume
When crafting your resume, you have the option to include some of your career aspirations, preferably in your short personal description. The information should be concise to avoid tiring the reader. Before jumping on writing your professional aspirations, you should have figured out the following:
- What are your career interests
- How does this position align with your career aspirations
- How can you put that in a few words
For example, suppose youre a marketing intern aspiring to become a marketing manager in the long run. In that case, you could sum up your aspiration like this: Looking for an exciting opportunity to leverage my skills in the marketing industry and elevate my career to a managerial position in the years to come.
Make it brief and stick to the point. On the other hand, if youre writing a cover letter, you might want to elaborate in a few more lines about your career aspirations to make your point stand out.
Career Aspirations Sample Answers For Accountants
For me, becoming an accountant was a natural choice as its a challenging and demanding career. I thrive on being able to solve complex problems and enjoy working with numbers. Its a profession that requires dedication, hard work, and a passion for learning, all qualities that I possess. My ultimate goal is to be partnering with a successful accounting firm where I can utilize my skills and knowledge to benefit my clients. Along the way, I also hope to attain chartered status as a Certified Public Accountant to further my expertise in this area.
My career aspirations are to continue working as a senior accountant in a large corporation. I would like to eventually become a partner in the firm or start my accounting practice. In addition, I would like to teach accounting at the college level and mentor new accountants.
Here Are A Few Tips To Help You Better Answer This Question:
- Ask and answer the question for yourself For example: Where do I want to end up? What skills do I need to achieve my dream?
This will help you have a better understanding of how to prepare your answers.
- Show you are interested in the job One red flag hiring managers look out for when they ask you about your career aspirations is your level of interest.
For example, if youre applying for the role of a social media manager, your five-year plan should be to be successful in the industry where you currently are even though the title of your job may change.
This way the hiring manager knows youre going to be motivated to understand, grow in the company, and be successful within an industry or a specific skill set.
- Be general Remember we talked about TMI earlier? Yeah.. instead of saying I want to be a marketing content lead within 2.5 years, talk about the skills, and experiences you hope to have and the impact you hope to make.
- Connect your short-term goals with long-term ambitions.
Getting People Right is an educational website providing professionals from all types of businesses with practical education in human resources and leadership. To keep evolving your leadership toolkit, additional GPR resources below will be useful:
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Final Thoughts On Answers To What Are Your Career Aspirations
After reading this article, you should feel more prepared to answer this question in your next job interview. Remember, prospective employers want to see what will make you motivated to do well in the position theyre trying to fill. So consider the mutually beneficial aspect of the hiring process and fit the pieces of your strengths and experience to fit the companys staffing need.
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.
Connie Mathers is a professional editor and freelance writer. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing and a Masters Degree in Social Work. When she is not writing, Connie is either spending time with her daughter and two dogs, running, or working at her full-time job as a social worker in Richmond, VA.
Why Do Interviewers Want To Know About Your Career Aspirations
When an interviewer asks you about your career aspirations, they want to know if those aspirations are compatible with the companys vision for the future and the company’s core values.
They want to know whether you can achieve your aspirations within the role and organization.
If so, youre more likely to stay with them for a long time. If not, they run the risk of you leaving and experiencing employee turnover.
They also want to know what your ambitions are and whether it will be possible for you to achieve them within their company.
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Example #: Show Your Willingness To Learn Beyond Your Specialization
After practicing HR on a generalist level, Ive determined that I am most passionate about recruitment. However, I dont want to limit myself to this sector of HR and miss out on opportunities to be involved with policymaking and ensuring current employee satisfaction. Due to the size of your HR department and the components of the full job description, Im confident that as a recruiter I would still have opportunities to contribute in a more comprehensive manner than I would if I pursued a position at a recruiting agency.
This answer shows that you want to continue to use and perfect your skills in other areas of HR aside from your speciality, and you would be willing to be a team player and jump in to help wherever the department needs additional support. It also demonstrates that you want to grow within the organization by becoming involved in larger issues such as employee retention and satisfaction.
For more examples, check out these SMART goals for recruiters and recruitment.
What Makes A Good Answer
Each answer is unique, as every aspiration is different and everyone is at a different stage in their careers. However, there are some elements each answer should include.
- The position: Why are you applying for the role? What is it about the job that will help you reach your aspirations? Consider the number of ways you can grow and learn in the company performing these tasks and whether they align with your personal ambitions.
- Mutually beneficial: Although the hiring manager asks about your aspirations, your answer needs to include something that tells them the company also benefits. You need to seem compatible with their priorities and goals, so it shouldnt be entirely one-sided.
- Focus on growth: This is a big one. When you know your aspirations, why you want to work at the company and how the position will help you achieve your goals, you need to highlight personal growth in your answer. Whether its becoming an expert in a field, a department leader or sitting on the board, you need to explain how you want to grow in this organization, so it doesnt seem like a stepping stone.
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Example #: Say You’ll Stay
I hope to grow into a managerial position at this company so I can use my leadership skills to mentor new employees or employees who need additional guidance. I am a quick learner, so even though Im coming in at an entry level, I believe I will be able to prove myself quickly in order to be considered for a leadership position when an appropriate one becomes available.
If youre new to the workforce, employers may be nervous that youre a flight risk for a quick turnover. Companies often hire management positions by promoting from within the company, so showing that youre already thinking about a leadership position suggests that youre planning to invest some time in the company. This answer also demonstrates confidence in your abilities as a learner, mentor, and leader.
Career Goals Example 2
My immediate goal is to secure a position at a company like this one where I can continue to grow and improve myself both personally and professionally. I enjoy challenges and look forward to opportunities where I will be able to assume more responsibilities. Ultimately, Id like to move into management with a focus on strategy and development and work my way into a long-term position where I can build a solid career. Right now, Im focusing on improving my communication skills through continuing education programs outside of work. Im very interested in leadership positions and know effective communication is critical. While Im very happy as a member of any team Im on, Im looking forward to being able to take on small leadership roles, eventually working my way into a position as a manager and team-leader. I have been so lucky to have been surrounded by manager and team leaders who have been generous with their knowledge and I look forward to an opportunity to become a mentor for others like me within this field.
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What Skills Would Make You Better In Your Current Role
This question is similar to the previous one, except here the skills you mention must benefit the position youre applying for. Anything too disconnected from the role may give the impression that you plan to change careers.
Sample answer: As a manager, there are often opportunities to coach and mentor members of my team. Id like to develop this skill so I can help my staff see their potential while guiding them on how to reach it.
Earn A Degree Or Certification
While the education system is a constant topic of scrutiny, people with a college diploma will likely always have an edge over those who dont, as long as they have the work ethic to back it up. The deciding factor will typically relate to the industry you want to end up in and how high up the ladder you want to climb. Though there are exceptions, research will show you that most Fortune 500 CEOs have a degree.
University provides the ability to gain knowledge of the holistic side of business, making it easier for graduates to grow in their field and understand details others may not. As far as long-term career goals go, this one can have a 2-6 year commitment paired with a hefty price tag. Youll need to do your research and prepare yourself accordingly.
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How To Set Career Goals
When it comes to setting your own career aspirations, its important to look first at the big picture. Then, focus on the smaller steps youll need to accomplish to achieve that end result. That means looking at the long-term and then the short-term.
First, identify exactly what you ultimately want to achieve with your career. Is it a management position? Leadership role? CEO? Now is the time to think BIG!
Next, start outlining what youll need to do to achieve this ultimate goal. These are your short-term supporting goals and should include:
- Learning more about what it takes to achieve your long-term goal
- Getting the education and training you need
- Gaining the experience and developing the associated skills related to your long-term goal
- Making the connections and networking with the people in your chosen field who can help you achieve your goal
Of course, career goals dont have to be limited to just one final end result. Its perfectly acceptable to have multiple long-term goals for work. The important thing is to have a reasonable, actionable plan of attack that will help you achieve those goals.
Choose A Smart Career Goal To Discuss
Talking about a random goal in an interview can hurt your chances of impressing the interviewer.
This is why you need to pick a SMART career goal out of the list made earlier.
Now you may think, what is a SMART career goal?
Simply put, these are goals that are Specific, Measurable, Action-oriented, Relevant, and Timeline specific.
Using the SMART approach while talking about your career goals reflects that you have a well-defined plan and that you mean to achieve it in all seriousness.
Let us understand these factors in detail.
Specific: Vague career goals may not help while answering, What are your career goals?. You will need a specific, to-the-point answer.
So instead of saying things like, I want to be better at my job, or My career goal is to outgrow myself!, go for something specific like, My career goal is to be a senior manager or I want to earn Rs. XXXXX while working in a QPR position.
Measurable: Always discuss goals you can measure in terms of time, money, working hours, etc.
Action-oriented: While discussing your career goals, make sure you talk about them as chunks of achievable tasks along with the action you would take to meet them happen.
Relevant: While you may have several career goals, discussing the ones that are most relevant to the position you are interviewing for will support your candidature and help you ace your job interview.
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How To Answer Where Do You See Yourself In 5 Years
Honestly, the phrase TMI was probably formed by an individual who was bombarded with too many questions by an interviewer.
Jokes aside, some of the questions asked by some hiring managers may require you to say too much. Well except if youre well prepared.
An example of these questions is, where do you see yourself in 5 years?, they may switch it up and instead ask, what are your short or long term goals?
Its a tricky question, so you should have your answer prepared beforehand.
Improve Your Sales Or Productivity Numbers
Everyone has unique KPIs they are trying to achieve on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis. What can you do to boost your numbers and statistics? Take a step back to identify any practices that arent having a positive impact on your bottom line and remove them from the equation to make yourself more productive.
As you develop good habits and aim your efforts in the right direction, youll be surprised to find the numbers rise as well.
Being more productive is often about working smarter rather than working harder, too. Look into whether tech solutions like machine learning and robotic process automation could help you be more efficient.
Oftentimes, all it takes is a manager seeing someone who is productive to their role for them to offer a pay increase or even a promotion.
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Why Employers Ask About Your Career Aspirations
Employers ask you to define your career aspirations to learn your intentions for applying to their company. They want to learn if your intended career path will work with what they can provide. Many employers are searching for a candidate who can grow with their company, making this interview question an excellent time to show your desire to do so.
This question also tells employers if you spent time learning about the company and the job youre applying to. If your aspirations are way out of the left-field, this could be an indicator that you arent truly invested in this job opportunity. Thats why its important to learn what you want from this job and determine if it can help you reach your goals.
+ Impactful What Are Your Career Aspirations Sample Answers
Your career aspirations answer depends on your stage and field of career. Before you think about an answer, you may want to think about .
It is important that you talk about examples of your efforts towards your aspirations.
You will find 30+ answers carefully collected for you below. Consider them more as a starting point or an idea to think about your own answer.
Dont forget to carefully research the job requirements and the company you are applying for, to carefully choose your aspirations.
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What Are Some Examples Of Career Goals
Having long-term career aspirations is significant. And aspirations are slightly different but important too. Aspiration may be something that you hope to achieve. In contrast, a career goal should be something a little bit more tactical in nature. Meaning, achievable in the near term.
An example of a career goal:
- Expecting to develop a new skill in the next year.
- Expecting to utilize existing skills in the next year.
- Expecting to achieve results which are applicable to the growth of your expertise in your job function in the next year.
Know Where Your Strengths Lie
What are you good at? Now, what are you good at that you also enjoy doing? If you can find the role or activity that blends these two, you might be on track to develop your career aspirations.
These do not have to be too literal. Perhaps you are good at photography and really enjoy it, but do not want to work as a professional photographer. Dig a little deeper and figure out why you enjoy photography. Is it working with other people or getting to travel solo? Do you enjoy the visual aspect of creating compositions or the problem-solving needed to set up each shot? Answering these questions can help you uncover your career aspirations.
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One Last Word Of Advice
Like all other interview questions, Where do you see yourself in 5 years? requires practice. While its good to have a prepared answer, memorizing a script wont do the trick.
Firstly, having one sample answer to What are your career goals wont work for all the interviews. Secondly, experienced interviewers will know if youve memorized your answer by heart the idea is to stay as natural as possible and keep the conversation going.
You can put some of your short and long-term career goals on a piece of paper and try improvising your answer from there. Or you can use an interview-prep tool like Big Interviews Answer Builder to help you structure and practice your answer.
Apart from having a few sample answers and tips available at a click, you can record your answer and then have an AI tool provide feedback on your answer and body language.
What to read next? Check out how to answer some of the other common job interview questions below:
