career goals in personal statement

50 Inspiring Examples of Career Goal Statements

By Status.net Editorial Team on February 7, 2024 — 12 minutes to read

A career goal statement is a clear and concise description of your professional aspirations: it outlines what you aim to achieve in your career path, providing direction and serving as a guide for your professional decisions. Crafting this statement requires self-reflection to identify what truly matters to you in your career.

Think of your career goal statement as a compass. It helps you navigate through opportunities and choices, aligning them with your long-term objectives. A well-defined goal statement includes specific job titles or roles, industry preferences, skills you want to acquire or use, and the values that matter to you in a work environment.

For example, your statement might be, “I aim to become a Senior Software Developer at a tech company that values innovation, in the next five years.” This statement is direct, time-bound, and reflects personal and professional values.

When writing your own career goal statement, start by asking yourself some questions:

• What am I passionate about?
• Where do I see myself in five, ten, or fifteen years?
• What skills do I need to develop to reach my goals?

Your statement can evolve as your career advances and your goals change. Remember, it’s a living document meant to grow along with you. Keep it precise, make it inspiring for yourself, and let it reflect who you are and who you want to become professionally. By doing so, you’ll create a powerful tool to steer your career decisions and help achieve your ambitions.

Components of a Strong Career Goal Statement

A strong career goal statement effectively communicates where you see yourself in the future and how you plan to get there. The keys to crafting this include clarity in your aspirations and how your current path aligns with your long-term objectives.

Clarity and Specificity

Your career goal statement should clearly articulate the position you’re aiming for and the steps you plan to take to achieve it. For example, instead of saying “I want to grow in the tech industry,” specify “My goal is to become a Senior Software Engineer at a renowned tech firm within the next five years by honing my skills in mobile applications development and leadership.”

Alignment with Career Objectives

Ensure that your statement aligns with your broader career objectives. For instance, if you’re determined to enter the field of environmental sustainability, your goal statement could specify, “I will secure a role as a Sustainability Project Manager by gaining expertise in renewable energy solutions and contributing to conservation projects.”

Brevity and Conciseness

Keep your statement concise; it shouldn’t be longer than a short paragraph. A crisp, well-worded statement would look like, “Within three years, I aim to advance to a Lead Graphic Designer position by consistently delivering innovative designs and taking on more strategic projects.”

Personal Motivation

Include a sentence about what drives you towards this goal, which gives a personal touch to your career goal statement. You might say, “I am committed to becoming an industry-recognized financial analyst by developing cutting-edge quantitative models, fueled by my passion for data-driven decision making.”

The Purpose of Career Goal Statements

A career goal statement helps you and others understand where you’re aiming in your professional life. It serves as both a guide and a benchmark for your career progression.

Professional Development

Your career goal statement is a powerful tool for professional development. It’s a declaration of your ambitions, which often falls into specific categories like acquiring new skills, achieving certifications, or reaching a new position. For example, you might aim to become a certified project manager within the next two years, highlighting the steps and skills you’ll need to get there.

Job Search Focus

When you’re on the job hunt, having a career goal statement gives you a lens to evaluate potential job opportunities. Imagine you’re an engineer seeking roles in renewable energy projects; your career goal statement would specify this preference, allowing you to target your job search and tailor your applications to match your aspirations.

Performance Management

During performance evaluations, your career goal statement offers a clear outline of what success looks like for you. It can act as a communication tool between you and your supervisor, ensuring that you’re both aligned on your targets. If your goal is to lead a team, your performance metrics might include leadership training and successful project outcomes.

Personal Reflection and Growth

Your career statement doubles as a checkpoint for personal reflection and growth. By setting specific goals like enhancing your public speaking skills or learning a new programming language, you create a framework for personal progress, tying these improvements back to your broader career objectives.

Writing Your Career Goal Statement

A career goal statement is a clear and concise description of your professional aspirations. It’s important to chart a course for your career by setting strategic goals and outlining the steps you plan to take to achieve them.

Self-Assessment

Start by evaluating your interests, strengths, weaknesses, and values. This step helps you align your career trajectory with your personal attributes and ambitions.

• If you enjoy creative problem-solving, you might aim for a role in strategic development.
• Someone with a natural talent for communication might target a career in public relations.

Research and Exploration

Learn about the industries and positions that align with your interests and skills. Find out what qualifications you may need and what career advancement may look like in those roles.

• Researching the field of data science might show you the importance of skills like programming and data analysis.
• Exploring the healthcare industry could lead you to consider roles ranging from a health administrator to a nurse practitioner.

Articulating Your Goals

Clearly state your short-term and long-term career objectives. Make them specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART).

• Short-term goal: Completing a professional certification in digital marketing within the next year.
• Long-term goal: Becoming a chief marketing officer at a technology company within the next ten years.

Revising and Refining

Your career goals are not set in stone. Periodically review and adjust them to reflect your growing skills, changes in the industry, and personal life changes.

• Revising your goal to include leadership skills if you’re aiming for management positions.
• Refining your goals to focus more on work-life balance if personal circumstances change.

Examples of Career Goal Statements

When crafting your career goal statement, be specific and align your goals with your desired career path. This section will provide examples for different career stages to guide you.

For Recent Graduates

As a recent graduate, your goal statement should reflect your eagerness to apply your education in a practical setting and grow professionally. For example:

• “My goal is to secure a role as a software developer at a forward-thinking tech company where I can contribute to innovative projects and hone my coding skills in real-world applications.”

For Mid-Career Professionals

For you in mid-career, a statement should focus on advancing your current skills and taking on larger responsibilities. For instance:

• “I aim to elevate my expertise in digital marketing to become a marketing manager, where I can lead strategic campaigns and impact the company’s growth directly.”

For Career Changers

As someone looking to change careers, your statement needs to leverage your transferable skills and express your commitment to the new field. Consider this example:

• “I intend to transition into the field of data analysis, leveraging my extensive background in market research to deliver actionable insights and drive decision-making processes.”

For Executive-Level Positions

Your executive career goal statement needs to showcase your vision for leadership and your ability to steer the company to new heights. An example could be:

• “I am determined to apply my 15 years of managerial experience to a Chief Operations Officer role, focusing on optimizing company-wide operations to boost profitability and efficiency.”

50 Examples of Career Goal Statements

• 1. “To secure a challenging position in a reputable organization to expand my learnings, knowledge, and skills.”
• 2. “Seeking a role at (…) Company where I can contribute to the team’s success while developing my skills as an accountant.”
• 3. “To achieve a lead position in software development that allows me to design innovative solutions and manage a dynamic team.”
• 4. “To become a primary school teacher that inspires young minds and fosters a love of learning.”
• 5. “Aiming to leverage my experience in customer service to become a leading sales representative within the next five years.”
• 6. “To grow into a senior role within the marketing department, contributing to the company’s strategic goals and brand development.”
• 7. “Seeking a position as a clinical practice assistant for a health organization that focuses on the development of innovative medical treatments.”
• 8. “To secure a position as a human resources manager and contribute to an organization’s employee engagement and professional development strategies.”
• 9. “My goal is to become a project manager within a progressive tech company, leading innovative projects to successful completion.”
• 10. “Aspiring to be a top journalist within a major media outlet, reporting on significant global events that shape our world.”
• 11. “To develop a career in finance, eventually becoming a chief financial officer for a well-established corporation.”
• 12. “To obtain a managerial position in the hospitality industry, providing exceptional guest experiences and leading a successful team.”
• 13. “Looking to apply my graphic design skills in a dynamic advertising agency, producing high-quality work for a variety of clients.”
• 14. “To establish myself as a leading real estate agent within the community, known for diligently serving clients and achieving their property dreams.”
• 15. “To become a senior software engineer, specializing in machine learning and artificial intelligence, contributing to cutting-edge technology advancements.”
• 16. “Aspire to join an international non-profit organization, focusing on human rights advocacy and contributing to meaningful change.”
• 17. “To earn a position as a lead researcher in a top-tier biotech firm, focusing on the development of life-saving pharmaceuticals.”
• 18. “To be recognized as an expert in environmental law, working to protect natural resources and promote sustainability.”
• 19. “To secure a role as an art director within a prestigious agency, driving creative strategy and inspiring a team of designers.”
• 20. “Aiming to become a chief operations officer, optimizing organizational processes and enhancing overall efficiency.”
• 21. “To advance my career in the field of education technology, developing innovative tools that facilitate learning and growth.”
• 22. “Seeking to become a master electrician, overseeing complex projects and mentoring apprentices in the trade.”
• 23. “To climb the ranks to a senior data analyst role, transforming data into actionable insights that drive business strategy.”
• 24. “To become a leading figure in digital marketing, known for crafting high-impact strategies that generate measurable results.”
• 25. “Aspiring to be an executive chef in a Michelin-starred restaurant, creating world-class cuisine and leading a top-tier culinary team.”
• 26. “To secure a position as a cybersecurity expert, protecting sensitive information from threats and vulnerabilities.”
• 27. “Aiming to be a respected leader in the field of public health, influencing policy and improving community health outcomes.”
• 28. “To establish a career as a professional musician, performing internationally and sharing my passion for music with diverse audiences.”
• 29. “Seeking a role as an aerospace engineer with a focus on sustainable design and innovation in air travel.”
• 30. “To become a leading architect, known for designing eco-friendly and innovative structures that enhance the urban landscape.”
• 31. “To grow into a senior role in supply chain management, optimizing logistics and contributing to the company’s profitability.”
• 32. “Aspiring to become a senior content creator, producing engaging and informative content that resonates with a wide audience.”
• 33. “To secure a position as a labor and delivery nurse, providing compassionate care and supporting families during a pivotal life event.”
• 34. “To become a principal consultant, offering expert advice and solutions to businesses in my area of expertise.”
• 35. “Aiming to be a top sales manager, driving team performance and exceeding company sales targets consistently.”
• 36. “To secure a leadership position within the field of environmental science, contributing to research and advocacy for climate change mitigation.”
• 37. “To become a recognized expert in user experience design, creating intuitive and user-friendly digital products.”
• 38. “Seeking a role as a professional event planner, executing unforgettable events that exceed client expectations.”
• 39. “To advance to a senior technical writer position, producing clear and concise documentation that supports product development.”
• 40. “Aspiring to be a chief diversity officer, fostering an inclusive workplace culture where all employees can thrive.”
• 41. “To become a lead mechanical engineer in the automotive industry, contributing to the development of innovative and efficient vehicles.”
• 42. “To secure a position as a business analyst, helping organizations to improve processes and systems for better performance.”
• 43. “Aiming to become a senior environmental consultant, providing actionable strategies for sustainable business practices.”
• 44. “To establish myself as a professional photographer, capturing moments and stories through my lens for global publications.”
• 45. “Seeking a role as an investment banker, helping companies to grow and investors to achieve their financial goals.”
• 46. “To become a thought leader in digital transformation, guiding enterprises through the integration of new technologies.”
• 47. “Aspiring to be a senior policy advisor, influencing legislation and policy decisions that impact the public sector.”
• 48. “To secure a position as a professional interpreter, facilitating communication in multiple languages for international organizations.”
• 49. “Aiming to become a leading expert in nutritional science, contributing to healthier lifestyles and dietary choices.”
• 50. “To establish a career as a professional speaker and author, sharing my expertise and inspiring others in my field.”

Frequently Asked Questions

How can you write an effective career goal statement for your resume.

When you write a career goal statement for your resume, start by reflecting on your strengths, skills, and experiences. Then, identify the kind of position you’re aiming for and how your career path aligns with the goals of the company. Use action words and quantify achievements where possible.

What are some examples of short-term career goals in professional development?

Short-term career goals might include obtaining a professional certification, improving specific job-related skills such as public speaking or technical proficiency, or networking to connect with industry leaders. These goals are typically achievable within a few months to two years.

What should be included in a personal career goal statement?

Your personal career goal statement should include your career interests, the competencies you wish to utilize, the type of environment you thrive in, and how you see your career progressing. It gives employers a glimpse into your aspirations and professional philosophy.

Can you give examples of comprehensive goal statements for students?

An example for a student might be: “Graduate with a degree in Environmental Science and secure an internship with a leading sustainability organization, to contribute to effective climate change solutions.” This states the education aim and the practical, immediate objective after graduation.

How do you frame a career goal statement for entry into graduate school?

A career goal statement for graduate school should express your academic interests, how the program aligns with your career plans, and what you intend to accomplish professionally with the advanced degree. This could be working towards a specific research field or role in academia.

What elements make up a compelling and succinct one-sentence career goal?

A compelling one-sentence career goal is specific, mentioning the desired industry or role, is realistic, and includes a timeframe. For example, “To become a certified project manager within the next year and lead technology-related projects in a Fortune 500 company.”

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What is a career statement, and should you write one?

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What is a career statement?

Why are career statements important, how to write a career statement, career statement examples.

Start writing

There’s value in living in the present. Checking off a list of to-dos. But when you take each moment as it comes, never turning your attention to the future, the days — and your career — grow stagnant.

Writing a career statement can help.

We know we’re throwing another assignment on your plate when it’s already full. But writing this statement isn’t time-consuming and will help you progress toward real growth.

And if you haven’t taken the time to write down your professional goals, a career goal statement is a good exercise to tackle before jumping in on your career statement.

This might sound like too much work, but it’s well worth it. Studies have shown people who write down their goals are 76% likely to achieve them versus 43% for those who don’t . Dedicating a little time to writing a goal statement today can go a long way toward bettering your tomorrow.

We’ll make it easier with a template. But first, let’s look at what exactly a career statement is — and why we think it’s a valuable tool for professionals.

Think of your career statement as an aspiration statement tailored to your professional goals. Aspiration statements express what you’re hoping to achieve in the future and describe your vision for the next chapter of your life. 

Think of them as the end of your life plan: your statement should highlight your dreams, encourage your ambitions, and provide an ideal outcome for your action plan. It’s a few sentences or a short paragraph outlining what you want to accomplish in the future.

Sounds simple enough, right? For career statements, you’re focusing those aspirations on your professional goals and intended career path. A career statement demands you to research what you need to accomplish those goals, as it depends on specific information. It needs specific dates, desired job titles or companies, locations, skills required, and more. 

Career statements keep your objectives top of mind. They never let you lose sight of your long-term goals and why you want to achieve them. Thanks to this focus, a career statement helps you visualize your career path, like a roadmap to success.

Writing a career statement can help you tackle three of the resources key to achieving your goals: 

• Motivation: What will make you spring out of bed and continue putting in a consistent effort? Increasing your motivation fuels your need to make your career aspirations a reality.
• Direction: How do you see yourself developing your career ? Do you need to go back to school, move to another city, or network more? Direction gives you a clear understanding of the moves you need to make to achieve your goals.
• Accountability: Goals are great, but who’s holding you to them? Fostering accountability will keep your professional development goals top of mind and help you stay dedicated to them. 

There’s beauty in this journey. Goal-setting can reveal things you didn’t know about yourself, teaching you new skills and helping your well-being along the way. It’s been linked to:

• Higher motivation and ambition to succeed
• Stronger resilience
• Higher self-esteem 
• Greater self-confidence
• More independence and autonomy

Career statements and goal setting go hand in hand. They build off each other to help you turn your dreams into your reality. 

You’re not likely to knock out your career statement in five minutes. It takes time — depending on how clearly defined your career goals are. Don’t rush the process.

If you run into writer's block or can't decide what goals you want to set , take a break. You might find time for a self-discovery journey to help you understand where you’d like your life to go.

Planning out your career doubles as a great self-discovery technique , too: you can ask yourself what you’d like your work-life balance to be, if you want to work remotely, where you want to live, if you want to be a manager, and more.  

When you’re ready to begin, follow these six steps:

1. Think about your passions and purpose

Your passions and purpose guide your life. The COVID-19 pandemic prompted two-thirds of US employees to reflect on their life’s purpose , with 70% of respondents reporting their purpose is tied to their work. Passions and purpose are a great place first place to look to help identify what goals you want to accomplish.

Example: “My passion is storytelling and writing.”

2. Do plenty of research

This step won’t take long if you’re already clear on what you want. But if you have no idea what professional aspirations will enrich your life, dedicate time to research.

Reach out to people in your network for a chat. Expand your knowledge about your industry, learn the requirements for the jobs that interest you, and familiarize yourself with potential roadblocks. Research will give you the knowledge you need for the planning and execution stages.

Example: “I’m interested in writing a fictional novel and working with a local publisher.”

3. Test the waters 

This is a time for curiosity, intentionality, and reflection. Put your research to the test. If you want to change careers, go to a seminar about your target industry. You might be bored to tears, which could indicate you need to modify your plans.

Ask yourself questions along the way — are you staying engaged with the topics you’re learning about? How do your body and mind feel as you turn in this new direction?

Example: “I’ve written a storyboard, and it’s made me feel excited and motivated, so I’d like to continue and take the next step.”

4. Use the SMART goal template

The SMART goals model will help you set realistic goals . SMART stands for specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-bound. This model provides a template that keeps you organized and lets you visualize your goals more clearly.

You should have a pretty good handle on your goals by now. And if you find that your initial goal doesn't work well after listing the different elements, don’t be afraid to make changes — without adaptability, you’ll be setting yourself up for failure. As you grow and move down your career path, your goals might shift. That’s perfectly fine. 

Example: “I plan on pitching a 300-page novel by the end of this month to three different publishers in my community. I’ll pitch my novel to their fiction team and take notes when they provide any feedback.”

5. Solidify your action plan

So you’ve explored the things that matter to you, spent time researching and experimenting, and defined your goals. Now, it's time to make a solid action plan. Take a moment to think about each step you'll take. Do you need to further your education, work on your communication skills, or find a mentor?

Planning ahead has been shown to reduce stress and anxiety and make responsibilities feel less overwhelming . Mapping out your steps will eliminate potential stressors and procrastination. 

Example: “I’m going to create a timeline for myself to write the novel, including the brainstorming, writing, and revising process. This will help keep me on pace and focused on each section as it comes.”

6. Make adjustments when needed

You've put tons of effort into creating an actionable, well-thought-out career statement. But sometimes life throws a curve ball. Challenges arise, obstacles you may have no control over.

Adopt a growth mindset that welcomes learning from your mistakes and changing your plan when necessary. Adapting to change will help you achieve your goals, not hinder them. 

Example: “My pitch hasn’t been picked up by any of the publishers I’ve pitched my story to, so I’m widening my circle to publishers from other communities. I’ve learned from my network to be more specific with my pitches and to explain more about myself.”

Career statements differ depending on your goals, industry, and lifestyle. Your life purpose could be tied to working with nonprofit organizations or climbing the ladder in the tech industry. Whatever your professional aspirations, your career statement should reflect them.

Here are three career statement examples to inspire you:

• I’ll be a full-time writer in two years. I'll start as a freelance writer and build up my portfolio, expand my network, and tune in to workshops and seminars about writing. I'll dedicate 30 minutes each week to reading great pieces of writing, and I'll be ready to do some problem-solving when editors give me feedback. 
• I'm going to be my own boss and open a café next year. I’ll create a welcoming new culture within my café that values kindness, compassion, and respect. I'll further my existing business knowledge by taking marketing classes and talking to people within my industry about the financial costs of entrepreneurship.
• I'll be promoted to sales manager within two years. I'll focus on improving my leadership and communication skills by listening to feedback from my manager. I'll also continue to learn more about sales since it's my big interest and passion and become familiar with my soon-to-be managerial responsibilities.

Start writing 

We’ve outlined the steps and benefits of writing a career statement. Now it’s time to invest in your future and start writing. 

When you’re happy with your career statement, put it somewhere you'll notice each day. If you wrote it up by hand or printed out a copy, stick it on your fridge or bathroom mirror, or hang it above your desk.

If you went digital, set your statement as your phone’s lock screen. Keep it close. It'll remind you of what you're working toward — and what you’ve already achieved by putting your goals and plans into words.

Give your statement another read when you're feeling down or unmotivated. They're yours for the taking.

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Elizabeth Perry, ACC

Elizabeth Perry is a Coach Community Manager at BetterUp. She uses strategic engagement strategies to cultivate a learning community across a global network of Coaches through in-person and virtual experiences, technology-enabled platforms, and strategic coaching industry partnerships. With over 3 years of coaching experience and a certification in transformative leadership and life coaching from Sofia University, Elizabeth leverages transpersonal psychology expertise to help coaches and clients gain awareness of their behavioral and thought patterns, discover their purpose and passions, and elevate their potential. She is a lifelong student of psychology, personal growth, and human potential as well as an ICF-certified ACC transpersonal life and leadership Coach.

Do goal statements actually work? Find out here

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What is a career goal statement? (examples + tips)

Work backwards

Stay flexible.

Quite often during either a job interview or the employee review process, candidates face the classic question: What are your career goals? Another version of this is: Where do you see yourself in one year? Five years? Ten years?

Your answer may affect how a hiring manager or your current boss sees you and your career path. You may think that giving an over-the-top answer such as, “I want to be the CEO!” will show your ambition, and it may elicit a smile, but it doesn’t show you’ve thought about how you’re planning to get to the top – if that’s really where you want to be. That’s why you need to be prepared to answer this question with detailed, realistic goals or SMART goals.

Below you will find the following:

• The answer to the question: What are career goals?
• How to write excellent career goals

Using the SMART goal system

• Long-term career goals examples
• Short-term career goals examples

If you are prepared with true, realistic goals in your next interview, you will come off as thoughtful and about where you want your career to go and how you plan to get there.

What are career goals?

Simply put, career goals are skills or tasks you wish to complete in the future that may or may not lead to a lateral shift or promotion. Vague, dry professional goal statements such as “I want a raise” or “I want a promotion” tell your manager what you want; great professional goals tell the manager how you are going to learn new skills or take on new responsibilities that benefit your workplace.

You can take it a step further by identifying resources you may need to help you reach those goals.

How to set career goals

When you are asked what your goals at work are, your boss may be trying to suss out several different facts about you:

• How ambitious are you?
• What direction do you want to go in?
• Are you happy where you are?
• What new skills do you want to acquire that will benefit the group?
• Are you planning to leave?

Relate your goals in a way that they impart the information you want your boss to have about your plans. Let on that you are ambitious and someday want their job and maybe you will end up with a great mentor, but you may want to glide over your plan to move on from the company at the first opportunity, afterall, you don’t know when that might be or what the future will bring at your current position.

Switching careers is easy with our guide to mid-life success. With these steps you can find the best way to a new career in no time.

Start by considering your ultimate career goal. Do you want to be the CEO? Where are you now? What steps do you envision on the path to the top? Are you going through marketing ? sales? IT? finance? The best career goals mark milestones along with concrete to-dos to get you there.

Be firm in your vision. If you don’t know where you want to go, you won’t be able to chart your course.

Make a skills list and an experience list

So you want to run the IT department some day. Excellent career goal! Make a checklist of the skills you need that you don’t have or haven’t demonstrated on the job. How will you acquire them? In what order?

Do the same for the experience you will need to add to your resume. Each of the items on those lists can now be written as a career goal.

You may be familiar with this method of creating goals. Some schools teach them to students and some employers use them as part of your performance review. This method helps develop career goals by requiring criteria to define them. SMART goals are:

• Specific : That means you need to say exactly what you want to achieve. A specific career goal example tells which class you are going to take to gain accounting skills, not just that you want to take an accounting class.
• Measurable: Obviously, if you’re taking a class, the measurement is its completion, but other work goals may be more amorphous. How will you know you have achieved this goal?
• Attainable : Is your goal realistic? Will you really be the CEO in the next five years?
• Relevant : So you want to learn photography. Amazing, but what does that have to do with your career? How does it help you take a step on your career path?
• Time-bound : When can you do this? How long will it take?

SMART goals benefit both your employer and you. They help you visualize your path, define the steps you need to take, measure your progress, and point out weaknesses you need to strengthen, according to MasterClass .

How do I describe my career goals?

Keep it streamlined. Choose one or two of your top-level goals and broadly explain how you will set about achieving them. Explain how your new skills or accomplishments will help your department or company and always be realistic.

Let’s get down to the nitty gritty. You know what goals are and you know the criteria to set them. Next, let’s look at some good examples of career goals.

We have uncovered words of wisdom from 15 successful founders that you can put into action to get ahead in your career.

Long-term career goal examples

A long-term career goal is one that will take you more than a year to complete. They may or may not answer where you see yourself in five years, but they definitely outline your vision for how you will reach your ultimate career goal. 

Think along the lines of a nurse who wants to eventually supervise the cardiac care unit or a teacher who wants to run a school some day. They won’t get there overnight, but they need to start developing the skills, attributes and experience they will need to reach their loftiest career goals.

This is where you say: “I want to become sales manager of the IT department and here is a SMART goal to help me get there.”

Examples of work goals that fits this long-term career aspiration are:

I will complete two classes toward my MBA each semester beginning in the fall semester of 2023.

This goal is specific (two classes toward an MBA), measurable (are the classes complete?), attainable (two classes a semester may be a challenge for a full-time worker, but not out of reach), relevant (if you want to be a manager, an MBA may be a requirement), and time-bound (classes begin in the fall semester for 2023).

Here are other long-term career goals examples:

Long term-goal : I want to make a lateral move from the sales department to the marketing department.

SMART goal : I will write and distribute a weekly update blog to coordinate the message between sales and marketing with interviews and Q&As.

Long-term goal : I will grow my portfolio of clients to $20 million.

SMART goal : I will attend one networking event a week and gain at least one new client a month.

Long-term goal : I want to become a recognized expert in my field.

SMART goal : I will publish four articles a year in reputable industry journals.

Short-term career goal examples

We’ve looked at the long range, but there are intermediate steps to take to get there. Short-term goals are actions such as earning a certificate, improving listening skills , learning a new application, or expanding your career network. They all lead to an increase in your value as an employee and your desirability as a candidate for a new position. 

Here are some great short-term career goals examples:

Short-term goal : I want to learn data analytics to expand my marketing knowledge.

SMART goal : I will earn a Google Data Analytics Certificate through Coursera within nine months.

Short-term goal : I want to become more comfortable speaking in groups.

SMART goal : I will volunteer to make at least one presentation to my group and at the corporate meeting within the next six months.

Short-term goal : I want to step-up my organizational skills.

SMART goal : I will spend the next few weeks investigating organizational apps, choose one and implement it by the end of the month.

Avoid negative language

Notice that the last short-term goal focuses on a shortcoming. Instead of saying, “I need to be more organized” or “I want to stop being late for meetings” the goal uses positive language to acknowledge an area ripe for improvement.

Dream jobs do come true! With the right combination of hard work and patience, you can actually be paid to do what you love. In this blog, we’ll list the top 25 most common dream jobs and offer resources on how to land them.

Tips to achieve your goals

Now that you’ve set your job goals and announced them to your boss, how can you stay on track to reaching them?

• Choose goals you’re passionate about . Choose goals that you want to work on, not goals you think will help you get ahead at work. Sure, SEO is an important skill, but if you aren’t interested in analytics, you’re going to have a hard time sticking with it.
• Keep your work goals close . Put a reminder on your calendar that pops up weekly, or daily if you think that will help. Or do it the old-fashioned way with a sticky note on your workspace.
• Find an accountability partner . Everyone at work has performance goals of some kind. Ask a colleague to hold you accountable and do the same for them. You may find inspiration (or competition) spurs you on. Plus, it’s a little tougher to slack off when you have to face a coworker to tell them you didn’t follow through.
• Assess your progress regularly . Are you keeping up with the certification class you promised you’d finish within six months? Did you write those communication messages to foster collaboration? Don’t beat yourself up if you fall behind. Recommit to your goals and get moving!
• Pat yourself on the back . Give yourself a moment to celebrate when you take steps toward achieving your goals.

“Life is what happens while you’re busy making other plans,” John Lennon wrote in his song “Beautiful Boy.” 

That doesn’t mean you should stop planning or looking forward five or ten years into your career, but be flexible.

You’ll be setting work goals for most of your career. If you start working out of college, at age 22, your goals, both long- and short-term are likely to change over time. If you achieve your goals, you may choose to reach farther. If your priorities change, the market for chosen career shifts , or you simply decide you want to move in a different direction, your career goals will change as well.

When that shift happens, be honest with yourself and your boss. Stubbornly sticking to goals that don’t speak to you or fit into your life plan is likely to lead to work dissatisfaction and that definitely won’t help you get where you want to be.

The bottom line here: The longer-term the goal, the more likely you will want to (or have to) rethink it.

Career goals: the wrapup

Envision your career in the future. What sparks your passion? What do you want in your professional and personal life? Maybe you’ve known since you were in preschool that you wanted to be an actor. Maybe you discovered you’re great at money management while you were in business school. Maybe you’re still figuring it out.

In any of those cases, there are concrete steps you can take to get into the movies, increase your clients’ financial growth, or research an internship opportunity that may turn into the career for you.

Start big and work your way toward the specifics. Ask yourself not only what your goals are, but what skills you will need and how you can acquire them. Be brutally honest with yourself about your shortcomings (but keep it positive when you relate your goal to the hiring manager or your boss). Instead of beating yourself up, find ways to bolster them and even turn them into assets.

Write SMART goals and check to make sure you have hit all five points. Your HR department may require a certain number of goals so try to balance short-term and long-term goals. Be realistic about time constraints and the feasibility of achieving your goals within the timeframe you set out, especially if you have multiple goals. Failing to achieve your goals may have negative consequences at work.

Choose goals that align with your passions and vision. Above all, be true to yourself and honest about what you want and how you want to get there. Good luck reaching the C-suite (or the red carpet or wherever your heart desires)!

A statement of qualifications may be a required part of your job application or a choice you make about how best to present your skills. What does it contain and how do you go about creating one? Read the blog below for tips and examples.

Key takeaway

• Career goal statements can help you focus on your bigger picture plans and the steps needed to get there.
• Career goals can be categorized as long-, medium-, or short-term.
• The SMART method can help you create achievable goals that are neither too easy or overly ambitious.
• Be confident when presenting your career goals to an employer, but make sure to consider their needs as well.

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Career Goals: How to Set Them and 14 Examples for Professional Success

Career development is rarely straightforward. Having a set of career goals keeps you on track.

While many professionals have a vision for their careers, few take the time to develop a set of career goals necessary for achieving it. Career goals are like rungs of a ladder needed to reach one’s professional aspirations — they shape one’s professional trajectory five to 10 years down the road .

Career Goals Definition

Career goals are long-term targets that define what you want to accomplish in your profession. They can include external targets like securing a job title or a specific salary, or they can be based on an internal motivation like making a difference in the world. The best goals map out what you want to achieve in five to 10 years and guide you as you advance in your career.

Take Aneasha Meade as an example. One of her career goals was to start as a  sales development representative and become an  account executive in three years. Meade developed career goals like finding a mentor, expanding her skill set through workshops and gathering the necessary experience for an AE role. Staying the course, Meade eventually became an AE for the HR platform Justworks.

What Are Career Goals?

Career goals are typically long-term targets that define what you want to accomplish in your profession, be it securing a job title,  starting your own company or reaching a specific salary figure. It’s not what you want to achieve in one year to three years, but closer to five to 10 years down the road.

Why Setting Career Goals Matters

Ambition alone won’t lead to success if your career has no direction. Below are a few reasons why setting career goals is crucial to your long-term professional development .

You’ll Improve Your Chances of Success

A career goal gives you a North Star to follow. It puts any setbacks and accomplishments into context, and allows you to see the bigger picture of your career. As a result, career goals play a crucial role in one’s professional success.

“We have found from research that goal setting does help predict career success,” said Maria Kraimer, a professor in human resource management at Rutgers University. “People who set career goals tend to have higher salaries and more promotions, and are more satisfied with their careers.”

You’ll Make More Intentional and Informed Decisions

Setting a career goal encourages you to take control of your career , rather than letting your manager make decisions for you. Goal setting also requires you to think about what you like and don’t like doing, what  skills you need to acquire and how to develop those skills. In this way, it can help with not just advancing your career but also combating burnout , said Wendy Saccuzzo, head of hiring services for Tech Ladies, a company that helps women in tech find jobs and advance their careers.

“If you’re stuck doing things all day long that aren’t energizing to you, it’s hard to feel good about the work you’re doing,” Saccuzzo said. “We’re motivated to do a good job most of the time, but once we lose that motivation because we’re doing work we don’t like, nothing is going to change unless we take control of it ourselves.”

You’ll Build Resilience

Having a clear and actionable goal also makes you more resilient when things don’t go your way . When Meade’s manager told her she’d never make it as an account executive, she relied on her goal plan to keep her focused on her first step of finding a mentor.

“Some people could take that as discouragement and make them go into their shell and not push forward,” Meade said. “For me, I’m the opposite. That’s where I really amped up my goal of finding a mentor.”

More on Career Development Working Remotely? Here’s How to Keep Growing Your Career.

15 Career Goal Examples

While choosing a career goal is a personal exercise in deciphering what’s most important to you and your life, it can still be difficult to know what to aim for.

To help you get started, we rounded up a few common career goal examples below.

Career Goal Examples

• Securing a job title
• Working for a prestigious company
• Earning a specific salary
• Making an impact
• Gaining career satisfaction

1. Secure a Job Title

This goal focuses on climbing up the career ladder to a more senior position. Before setting this goal, research the target role’s day-to-day responsibilities and make sure it resonates with you. From there, reach out to a mentor or people in those positions. What skills, certifications and experiences did they need to reach that position? These questions will help you chart specific steps to make this goal attainable.

2. Work for a Prestigious Company

If working at a big-name company is meaningful to you, it’s important to research different companies and industries. Identify what you’re passionate about , what you like about those companies and where you might best fit in. Then reach out to people who work there or review their LinkedIn profiles to see what paths they took to reach that job.

3. Earn a Specific Salary

This objective is most effective when paired with other goals. Whether it’s more freedom to travel or an early retirement, having another objective in mind will make the money you earn more meaningful. To set an effective financial target, review the salaries of people in your field and the experience level required to earn that amount. It may also help to hone your negotiation skills so you can push for higher salaries as you navigate the job market.

4. Make an Impact

Identify what impact you want to make. Do you want to influence other people’s career paths ? Play a crucial role in the development of a game-changing technology? Give back to the community? From there, list how you plan to measure your impact. This could be volunteering once a week or feeling a sense of satisfaction in your company’s product.

5. Gain Career Satisfaction

This type of goal can be nebulous, but it’s still possible to make it specific and measurable. Start with reflecting on your current situation. Are you happy? What aspects of your job do you find satisfying? What tasks can you do to make yourself happier ? Every six months, hold yourself accountable to those tasks and assess your situation.

6. Master a Technology

As workplaces adapt to the digital age, it’s important to stay up-to-date on the latest technologies . If there’s a tool or platform you’re struggling with, you can sign up for workshops and online courses to sharpen your abilities. Be sure to take advantage of any resources at your disposal, including company learning stipends .

7. Improve Your Communication Skills

Giving a speech can be one of the most difficult tasks many professionals face. To strengthen your  communication skills , volunteer in your workplace to lead team meetings or presentations. Once you feel confident, you can offer to give talks at conferences, informational sessions and other events that place you and your company in the spotlight.

8. Expand Your Network

It helps to start out networking with people you already know, like your coworkers. However, you can also reach out to industry leaders and other professionals through LinkedIn or another online format. In your message, explain why you want to connect with someone and why their background caught your attention.

9. Find a Mentor

If you’re looking to take the next step in your career, a  mentor can be a major difference-maker. Define why you want a mentor and what you need help accomplishing. Then, find someone who specializes in your area of interest. While professionals often find mentors in their workplaces, you may also meet a potential mentor at a networking event, workshop or fun activity related to your passions and career goals.

10. Become a Mentor

Perhaps you’ve mastered your field and are ready to pass on your knowledge to a younger professional. Letting your company leadership know is the easiest way to get connected with newer employees eager to learn. You can also  become a mentor by taking on a teacher role or volunteering at a non-profit in your spare time.

11. Earn a Degree

Those wanting to pursue their master’s , Ph.D. or another degree must make sure they’re in a solid position to do so. Assess whether a degree can further your career advancement or open more career opportunities. Check to see if your company covers the cost of tuition or if a university has any scholarships available.

12. Enter a New Industry

Breaking into a new industry can be a lengthy process, especially if you’re making a career change later in life. If you don’t know anyone in the field, reach out to professionals on LinkedIn and request  informational interviews . Make sure you understand what skills and experience are needed to be successful in a specific sector. Then, research internship, freelance or entry-level opportunities to kickstart your new career.

13. Achieve Better Work-Life Balance

To aim for better  work-life balance , take a moment to identify what you want to prioritize and what you’ve actually been prioritizing. Are you working long hours and sacrificing sleep? Do you feel isolated from your friends outside of work? Talk with your manager, set work boundaries and take other steps to adjust your work situation and make sure you have time for the things that matter most to you.

14. Retire by Age 55

Retiring in your 50s might sound ambitious, but the goal feels more doable when you break it down. Plan to set aside a percentage of your paycheck for your 401K or savings account . You can also set a goal of saving a certain amount each month and year, allowing your savings to accumulate over time.

How to Set Career Goals

Setting a career goal is a personal process that requires  self-awareness , research and careful planning . While each person’s goal will look different, there are some common steps you can follow to set yourself up for success.

6 Steps to Setting Career Goals

• Shape your goals around your own definition of success.
• Choose the right method for you to create your goal plan.
• Break down your long-term goal into manageable steps.
• Track your progress as you work toward your career goal.
• Enlist the help of a mentor to inform your career goals. 
• Keep your career goals flexible.

1. Shape Your Goals Around Your Own Definition of Success

Whatever your definition of success is, it’s important to make sure your goals are clear, specific and measurable, said Lindsay Greco, an Oklahoma State University management professor. If success is being in a role you can give back, define what that means. If it’s to do a  job you love , define the qualities in a job that make you feel happy and then take the time to reflect on your enjoyment each year.

Don’t be afraid to set your sights high , either. As cited in the book Motivation: Theory and Research , psychologists Edwin Locke and Gary Latham discovered that the most impactful goals are ones that are both specific and challenging. When a person sets an easy or vague goal like “do my best,” there isn’t a tangible benchmark to reach. It can mean anything, and people give themselves the benefit of the doubt when  evaluating their performance . This leads to less  motivation and lower levels of achievement.

You’re more likely to raise your level of performance to the difficulty of the goal. Just make sure it’s realistic. While falling short may sting, don’t let it override your other accomplishments.

“You might set a really lofty goal for yourself and if you’re not making progress or didn’t get the promotion, it can lead to depression or affect your well-being,” Greco said. “One reason you might not have reached a goal is because it was too lofty, but you worked really hard and you actually accomplished a lot. And that’s OK.”

2. Choose the Right Method for You to Create Your Goal Plan

Once you identify your overarching career goal, it’s important to write it down and map out the steps you need to take to achieve it. To make your goal effective, be sure it includes the five elements outlined by Locke and Latham in Motivation: Theory and Research :

• Clarity: The objective should be specific and easy to understand. 
• Challenge: It needs to be difficult to achieve while still remaining attainable.  
• Commitment: It needs to be meaningful to the individual.
• Feedback: It needs to include some form of measurement that can give the person feedback on their goal progress. 
• Task complexity: The tasks to achieve the goal should not be overwhelming. 

With those characteristics in mind, there are a number of methodologies you can use as a blueprint for  achieving your goal .

• SMART Goals: This stands for specific, measurable, attainable, relevant and time-based. This strategy requires breaking down your long-term goal into smaller short-term goals with specific actions you can take to achieve them.
• OKR Goals: This stands for  objectives and key results . Start by breaking down your overarching goal into specific objectives. Then, list the actions you can take to get there and the key results or metrics you’ll be tracking to evaluate your progress.
• Career Roadmapping: This process, developed by Saccuzzo, starts with identifying what you find empowering or enjoyable at work and making that your goal. Write three tasks that are energizing and three that are depleting, along with steps you can take to do more energizing work, all on a single page. You can refer to this page to reflect on your current position and identify actions you can take to keep working toward your goal.

However you plan, make sure you take the time to write the goal down on paper. People who write out their goals are 1.2 to 1.4 times more likely to achieve it than those who let it sit in their head, according to a study from Mark Murphy, founder of the leadership training company Leadership IQ.

3. Break Down Your Long-term Goal Into Manageable Steps

Start with your long-term goal and work backward. If you set a target to become a CTO in 10 years, think about what hard and soft skills you need to succeed in that role, what experience you must have and what kind of company you want to lead. Then identify where you need to be in five years to reach your goal. From there, think through what you need to accomplish in three years. Each long-term goal is made up of smaller tasks that help you reach the larger target.

Since careers can take winding paths, though, don’t lock yourself into one specific job or target. Instead, give yourself options for success.

“Set out four or five different roles or companies that you think would be great for yourself to be in, and recognize that you could get to one of those or you might not get into any of them and that’s OK,” said Stephanie Lovell, head of marketing for job recruiting website Hirect. “It’s about being really flexible.”

4. Track Your Progress as You Work Toward Your Career Goal

It’s not enough to always be thinking about your goal. You also need to take the time to track your progress and hold yourself accountable. For short-term goals, tracking progress can be as simple as checking boxes when you complete the tasks you laid out in your plan. For your long-term career goal, Lovell recommends reviewing it every six months.

During that time, reflect on where you’re progressing toward your long-term goal and where you’re falling short. If you’re missing deadlines for your micro-goals, ask yourself why. Is it because you’re missing an important skill? Is the job no longer the right fit for you? It may be that the goal you set out isn’t realistic or perhaps your perspective has changed .

“It’s in those six-month check-ins — being really open and flexible to making updates, making changes and checking in to see where you’re at,” Lovell said. “Don’t allow yourself to slide on things. Make sure you are progressing and you are learning but allowing yourself the room to be flexible.”

5. Enlist the Help of a Mentor to Inform Your Career Goals 

Goal-setting doesn’t have to be done on your own. Sometimes it helps to get guidance from a mentor figure, especially if you’re just starting out.  

In a study on goal setting in the career management process , Greco and Kraimer discovered that a person who has a psychosocial mentor — meaning someone they can go to for emotional support as they embark on their career — feels a greater sense of belonging in their profession. When that happens, people become more familiar with success indicators within their profession, which helps them set more meaningful goals .

“By having a mentor where you become friends with them, the student starts to identify with the profession that they’re studying,” Kraimer said. “Through that development of professional identification, you start to hold the same values of that professional group. And you’ll start to develop goals that fit with that professional group.”

6. Keep Your Career Goals Flexible

Career goals are rarely straightforward. It’s impossible to predict every step needed to reach your end target. You may not reach the goal you set in the timeline you established. While that can be frustrating, don’t let it discourage you.

Think about why that goal didn’t work out. It could be that you were too ambitious, and you need to readjust the timeline. It could be a sign that you’re not getting the skills and development you need in your current role, and it’s time to set a goal to look for a new job . Or, it could be a sign that a goal is no longer of interest to you.

Give yourself the freedom to explore opportunities outside of your plan. There are a lot of different paths to a happy and successful career. Your career goal is simply meant to help get you there.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are career goals.

Career goals are long-term targets that clarify what you want to achieve in your professional career, often five to 10 years down the road. These goals can involve external achievements like earning a job title or more internal accomplishments like finding meaning in one’s work.

What are examples of career goals?

Examples of career goals include landing a job at an industry-leading company, enjoying satisfaction in one’s career, becoming a mentor to a coworker and retiring by age 55.

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