Long-term career planning 101

How would you describe your relationship with your employer? Are you new to the role and still in the honeymoon phase? Happily committed to a long-term partner? Or are you settled, but not satisfied, keen for new challenges but not quite sure how to move forward and so sleepwalking through the nine-to-five instead?

If the last option applies to you, you're not alone. Recent research found that 39% of European workers don't plan ahead in terms of their career goals and 25% have no long-term career plan at all. Those who do plan their career goals take a relatively short-term approach, looking on average less than three years into the future.

If you don't look ahead you could find yourself stuck without a sense of direction and at risk of being left behind. The research also demonstrated that only 16% of us feel our current job fits well with our long-term career goals. Fortunately, if you are stuck in a career rut, it is possible to plan your way out.

A long-term career goal is a milestone that someone spends years or even decades working toward. An example of a long-term goal within the professional world may include moving up to a managerial role, breaking into a new industry or earning and higher salary. Regardless of the specific benchmark, long-term career goals help people articulate what they want out of their careers and can influence what career paths they explore.

What is Your long-term career goal?

"Long-term career goals are benchmarks that you strive to achieve in your professional life, taking anywhere from a few years to decades to complete. From earning a promotion to publishing a book, long-term goals come in many forms and serve as a guiding force for one’s career path and trajectory".

Long-Term planning for an graduating university Student

Long-term career planning after university is essential for setting and achieving your career goals and aspirations. Here are steps to help you create a successful long-term career plan:

1. Self-Assessment:

• Reflect on your interests, values, strengths, and weaknesses. Consider what truly motivates and fulfills you in a career.

2. Define Your Goals:

• Establish clear and specific career goals for the short, medium, and long term. Identify the industries, roles, or positions you aspire to.

3. Research and Explore:

• Research your chosen field(s) thoroughly. Understand industry trends, required qualifications, and potential career paths.

• Seek informational interviews, internships, and job shadowing opportunities to gain firsthand experience.

4. Education and Skill Development:

• Assess the education and qualifications required for your desired career. Plan for additional education or certifications if necessary.

• Continuously develop relevant skills and stay updated with industry advancements.

5. Networking:

• Build a professional network by attending industry events, conferences, and seminars. Use platforms like LinkedIn to connect with professionals in your field.

6. Gain Experience:

• Gain practical experience through internships, part-time jobs, or volunteer work. These experiences can help you build your resume and network.

7. Resume Building:

• Continuously update and tailor your resume to reflect your evolving skills and experiences.

• Highlight achievements and contributions in your roles.

8. Set Milestones:

• Break down your long-term career goals into smaller, achievable milestones. This makes your plan more manageable and measurable.

9. Seek Mentorship:

• Find a mentor or mentors in your chosen field. They can provide guidance, advice, and valuable insights based on their experience.

10. Stay Adaptable: - Be open to adapting your career plan as circumstances change or as you gain new insights about your interests and strengths.

11. Work-Life Balance: - Consider your personal life and priorities when planning your career. Strive for a balance that aligns with your values and well-being.

12. Financial Planning: - Develop a financial plan that supports your career goals. This includes budgeting, savings, and retirement planning.

13. Consider Further Education: - Evaluate whether pursuing a master's degree or additional advanced training aligns with your long-term career goals.

14. Stay Informed: - Stay informed about changes in your industry, job market, and emerging career opportunities.

15. Set a Timeline: - Create a timeline for achieving your career milestones and goals. Be flexible but hold yourself accountable.

16. Seek Feedback: - Regularly seek feedback from supervisors, mentors, and peers to identify areas for improvement and growth.

17. Evaluate and Adjust: - Periodically assess your progress and adjust your long-term career plan as needed. Adapt to changes in your goals or the job market.

18. Mental Health and Well-Being: - Prioritize your mental health and well-being. A healthy work-life balance and self-care are essential for long-term career success.

Remember that long-term career planning is a dynamic process that may evolve as you gain experience and knowledge. Be proactive, stay adaptable, and remain committed to your goals and aspirations.

Why It’s Important to Set Long-Term Career Goals

Long-term goals can fulfill a range of personal and professional needs. They provide a sense of direction, helping someone narrow down their focus to specific benchmarks they can strive for and attain. Professionals often gain more motivation by creating long-term career goals — and receive a boost of self-esteem once they achieve them.

Benefits of long-term career goals

• Stronger sense of direction.

• Improved motivation and self-esteem.

• Expanded skill sets.

• Greater desire to explore different roles and career paths.

What are long-term career goals?

Long-term goals are objectives you plan to achieve in the future. These career goals have a larger timeline for completion because it requires more to accomplish a long-term goal. For example, you may set a goal to become a leader in the workplace. This is a long-term goal because it can take months or years for you to fully accomplish becoming a leader. Long-term career goals often consist of smaller goals to help you continue your path to accomplish them, which can help motivate you to complete your goal.

18 examples of career goals

Here are 18 long-term career goals that you can consider for your own professional life:

1. Increase your salary

A common goal among professionals is to earn a salary raise. Some employers may give annual raises, but when you feel you earn a raise, it's a good idea to request a meeting with your manager or human resources to discuss a higher salary. To earn a salary increase, try to improve your efficiency and productivity. Consider also accepting more responsibility and helping team members so that your employer sees that you deserve more pay.

2. Become a leader

Seeking a promotion to become a leader is another good long-term goal. Develop your skills, such as decision-making, problem-solving, and communication, so that you can be a successful leader. To accomplish this goal, you can apply to leadership positions or lead a team at work. You can also become a leader in the workplace by taking a mentorship with a learning professional.

3. Build your professional network

Your professional network is a great resource for learning, finding opportunities, gaining references, and staying connected with professionals. It's a good idea to plan to grow your network throughout your career because doing this can provide you with career opportunities if you need to change jobs or careers. Your professional network may also help you accomplish other long-term goals, such as starting a business, learning new skills, or earning a position with your favourite company.

4. Travel globally

It can be fun to travel for your work, and you may set this as a long-term goal. You may get to travel if your company has offices in other countries. You can also travel globally by attending international conferences. If you plan to increase your travel, it's a good idea to inform your employer so that they may consider you for travel opportunities.

5. Publish research

By publishing research or other professional articles, you can build a reputation for yourself in the industry. You may be able to grow your following and expand your network by publishing. Learn about the publishing process and find publications to which you can submit your work.

6. Develop your skill set

It's useful to improve your skill set so you can advance in your career. To accomplish this, choose a skill you want to learn and identify learning opportunities, such as a workshop, a project that uses this skill, or a certification program. You can also develop your skill set by mastering skills you already use.

7. Learn how to use a new tool

Similar to learning a new skill, you may set a career goal to learn how to use a tool. This can include technology, office appliances, machinery, or another tool relevant to your field. Mastering the use of a new tool typically requires specialised training and practice.

8. Mentor other professionals

Mentorship can have many personal and professional benefits. You can earn the satisfaction of helping another professional and build a reputation of being a leader. If you want to be a mentor, inform your network that you're open to mentorship. This can help a professional search for someone to guide them to find you.

9. Speak publicly

Public speaking is a great skill and professional opportunity. You can accomplish this goal by volunteering to present at work during meetings, which may also help in earning a raise or becoming a leader. Search for conferences where you can speak. Being a public speaker at networking events or industry conferences can help you build your network and become a thought leader in your field.

10. Earn another degree

You may decide to pursue advanced education after working in the field. You can earn a higher degree to supplement your current degrees, such as a master's or a doctorate. You may also pursue a degree in a different area of study, which can help you accomplish other long-term goals of developing your skill set, becoming a leader, or starting a business. To earn another degree while working, you have a few options, including:

• Take a sabbatical.

• Find online degree programs.

• Take evening classes.

• Ask your manager for flexibility.

Some companies may provide tuition assistance and support your educational goals because they can also benefit from your learning.

11. Become an expert in your field

Becoming an expert in your field is a great aspiration for your career because being an expert means that you have a reputation, master skills, and are a leader. Other long-term goals, such as publishing and public speaking, can help you become an expert. When you're an expert in your field, other professionals may follow you and your advice. You can also increase your salary when you become an expert.

12. Improve your work-life balance

Work-life balance can provide you with job satisfaction and relaxation. You can achieve this by learning to prioritise and by finding a company that shares your values. Determine what's most important to you and make that a priority. For example, if you have family or friends that you want to spend more time with, finding a company that offers flexibility can help you gain a better work-life balance.

13. Work for your favourite company

If there is a business that you love to shop at, visit, or admire, consider creating a plan to work for the company at some point in your career. Working with a company you love can bring benefits, such as job satisfaction, productivity, work-life balance, and overall happiness. When your values align with a company, your work may improve and deliver better results because you enjoy the work and believe in its purpose.

14. Change careers

A career change is another long-term goal you can work toward. To change your career, evaluate your current position, skills and desires. This can help identify what to look for in a new career. A career change is a goal that can support your other goals like a work-life balance, working for a company you love, or increasing your salary.

15. Win an award

There are industry-specific awards you can win to boost your status professionally. Some awards may also offer monetary prizes. To win an award, research the available honours in your industry and learn the criteria for winners. You can study previous winners to identify what you may do to win. Many industry awards can require submissions or nominations from other professionals. In this case, you can request that your manager or team members consider you for a nomination.

16. Write a book

Writing a book can be a goal you accomplish after gaining experience in your field. Your book can be a way to demonstrate skill, share your expertise, or talk about your personal or professional experience. Writing a book is a time commitment, but there are many ways you can publish and if you need help writing the book, seek mentorship, take a writing course, or hire a book consultant.

17. Start a business

Starting and owning a business enables you to determine your salary, the people you work with, the hours you work, and the work you do. To start a business, it can be helpful to gain years of experience in the industry first so you can learn how to perform a variety of duties. This goal also requires a lot of planning so you can decide what type of business you want to have, develop a financial plan, and create a product or service for consumers.

18. Retire

Retiring marks the end of your career. Making this a long-term goal can help you prepare for retirement throughout your career, ensuring that you can retire when you want to and have enough money to support yourself after retiring. When planning for retirement, research your options, create a savings plan, and consider what you may like to do in retirement so you can fully prepare.

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