How to Write Career Goals & Objectives

Write your plan down so that you can actually visualize it.

The uncertainty in the job market may make you wonder if you are in the right job and the right industry. It may make you wonder if it's time to move on, and you may feel like you need to focus your career better than you've done. Write your plan down on paper so that you can actually visualize it. Make it real on paper so that you can begin making it a reality in life.

Instructions

1. Identify your passion on paper. What do you do well? What do you do better than anyone else you know? What type of career, profession or hobby makes you happiest? Do you want to own your own business right away or work for someone else for a while?

2. Identify the two or three industries that you are most interested in that are consistent with your passions. For instance, if your passion is selling, what type of product do you want to sell and within what industry? Will you sell pharmaceutical products, loans, books or kid's toys?

3. Write your passions at the top of the page. Draw a tree from your passions in life with the three industries that you might want to pursue.

4. Write a few short notes under each industry you chose with the pros and cons of each career path. Also, note any pertinent experience you have in each of these industries that might make this a perfect fit.

5. Choose one of the industries that you believe best fits you after your evaluation. Establish a new set of objectives around accomplishing this one goal. Separate your "goals" list into short-term goals and long-term goals.

6. Determine what type of training or education you need in the short term to get on that career path. Estimate the cost of education and how you will earn the money to get the education you need. Write down part-time jobs and internships that you can get while you are getting your education and training that will help propel you forward in your desired career.

7. Write under long-term goals where you want to be in five years and 10 years within the industry that you chose. Write down how much money you want to be making in five years, 10 years and beyond. Decide how many years you want to work in this career before retiring. If you want to own your own business at some point, be sure to include this in your career plan as well.

Tips & Warnings

• Look at your written career goals as a guide. They are not set in stone. You may learn new things along the way about yourself and your interests that will cause you to alter your plan.

• Research jobs within your desired industry and position so that you can see what is required and how much workers make so that your goals will be more realistic.

References

• "The Magic Lamp: Goal Setting for People Who Hate Setting Goals "; Keith Ellis; 1998