Wow, time flies. The end of the year is just a few weeks away. So, how did you do in meeting the New Year’s career goals you set back in January 2013? Here are some tips our staffing agency developed to help you assess your progress and set new goals.
Tip #1: Evaluate the Situation
What were your career goals for 2013? If you wrote them down, then now’s the time to bust out that list and see how you did. Did you meet all your goals? Did you meet ANY of your goals? And if there are areas that are currently in the works, how much progress have you made?
You can’t evaluate your trajectory without taking a look at where you were supposed to be going.
Tip #2: Re-Think How You Approach Big Goals
If you had some lofty goals on your list that you didn’t make any progress toward meeting, then re-think them. That doesn’t mean scrap them completely. It just means re-evaluate how you approach achieving them. When goals are really big, they can also seem too big to accomplish, which may be why you didn’t make any progress with them.
Instead, break up that one big goal into multiple bite-size ones and set target completion dates for each. It’s much easier to achieve a series of small goals than one large one.
Tip #3: Categorize Goals as Long- and Short-Term
Another tip for reaching your goals is to categorize them as long- and short-term. Just because you set a goal in 2013 doesn’t mean you’re going to achieve it that same year.
For instance, say you want to go back to school and earn your MBA. Doing that in one year is unrealistic unless you plan to quit your job and devote 100% of your time to it. Instead, set a goal of completing it in 2-3 years.
It may take longer if you have a young family and are working full-time. But by considering your own unique personal situation, you are more likely to set reasonable and realistic goals and timelines for achieving them.
Tip #4: Get Outside Help
It’s easier to stay on track with a goal when you have someone holding you accountable. So whether you want to share your goals with your boss or your spouse, ask them for help staying the course toward achieving your goals. For instance, you can ask to set up quarterly reviews with your boss during which you can assess where you are now, steps you’ve taken toward achieving your goals, and how much more progress you need to make.
Tip #5: Edit Your Goals
Things may have changed over the course of a year. Perhaps you got a new job, were promoted, or were laid off. Whatever the case, your situation may not be the same as it was a year ago when you set your goals. So re-assess, create new goals that are more aligned with your current situation, and scrap those goals that are no longer important to you.
Need More Help Achieving Your Career Goals in 2014?
If one of your goals is to land a terrific new job, give Peoplelink a call. As one of today’s leading staffing agencies, we will get to know your personality, your background, and your career goals. We’ll then get to work matching you with opportunities that are the right fit for you.
Ready to get started? Contact us today.
