Achieve Your Long-Term Career Goals

The first step to career planning is to understand your biggest asset- YOU! Without a strategic plan for your career, you will find yourself being reactive instead of proactive in your career choices.

Your values are the guides by which you live your life, and the criteria you use when making decisions. What are your values? How does your personality impact your career choices? What are your passions? Understanding what drives you is the first step in defining career goals and objectives. PrideStaff Financial can help you turn those goals into the career you’ve always wanted.

Outline Long and Short- Term Goals.
“Where do you want to be five years from now?” Recognize that question? You should- it’s asked for a reason. That question helps employers identify your long term agenda. If they are thinking about it, so should you. Defining your long term goal(s) will help you define your career “vision.” Write your career “vision” down on paper and then use it to anchor your decisions moving forward. Leave no room for ambiguity or interpretation; define your vision and be concise. Give yourself a measurable target with clear deadlines that allow you to monitor your progress. Develop a plan for achieving your vision. Break your long term goals or “vision” into smaller short term goals that allow you too: Prioritize your goal(s), Present your goal(s) by writing it down, be Positive, be Precise, measure by Performance, and be Practical. These seven P’s are now your “action plan” toward long term career success.

Identify Your Passion.
Your passion is what drives you; it is determined by your interests and values. Knowing what you’re passionate about will allow you to align your career goals with areas of interest within an organization. Start by asking questions like: Is stability important to me? Do I need a company that is aggressive in its approach and delivery? Do I need a team oriented atmosphere? Asking the right questions will help you align your career and goals with your passion. Get to know the company by getting involved. Try a project you’re initially luke-warm about. Going outside your comfort zone to try new experiences will help you define what your passions are.

Find A Balance.
Being proactive and setting career goals will not only give you control of your career direction; it will keep you organized and focused. Setting goals can also increase positive attitude toward the work that is currently being accomplished. The down side to this is goals aren’t monolithic; they don’t happen in one simple step. Many other smaller steps need to occur in order for the goal(s) to be realized. Breaking your goal(s) down into smaller bite size pieces will help you balance the amount of work needed to achieve your goal(s). Rely on others to keep you motivated. Whether colleagues, friends or family; sharing your goal(s) with others will give you support as you continue on your journey.

Creating long-term career goals is your first step; letting PrideStaff Financial help get you where you want to be is the second! Contacting one of our financial career consultants puts you in the driver’s seat of your career. Contact your local PrideStaff Financial office and take charge of your career before it takes charge of you!