You’re ambitious and have big dreams for your professional life. In other words, you have a clear vision of where you want to go and a sharp focus on your career. But how do you get there? Here are some practical tips to help you achieve your goals.
Build a broad foundation
Knowing where you want to go is important, but finding out if you’re a good fit for a role is just as important. After all, a job that fits you perfectly will allow you to excel and be energised. So even before you set concrete career goals, it’s wise to invest in a broad foundation.
Explore different departments, sectors, tasks, take courses, gather information, and learn as broadly as possible. Find out what truly drives you! Once you know that, you can focus on a career goal that suits you.
Formulate concrete goals and sub-goals
Defining both short- and long-term goals as concretely as possible is a key step in your career planning. Consider not only the content and responsibilities of your job, but also the context and culture of the organisation. Find out where you work best and where you get the most satisfaction. Also, set sub-goals. For instance, becoming a CEO might not happen overnight, so identify valuable intermediate steps you can take towards your ultimate goal.
Develop skills
“I have never tried that before, so I think I should definitely be able to do that.” This quote from Pippi Longstocking perfectly encapsulates the mindset needed to create the career you want. Trusting in your ability to learn and developing your talents and skills is essential. A great tool for identifying areas where you can grow for a particular role is an assessment and development centre. Here, they will map out your strengths and areas for improvement, providing valuable information for thoughtful career planning.
Have a good mentor by your side
Rome wasn’t built in a day, and probably not by one person either. If you want to build your career path effectively, find a good mentor. Someone who is your biggest fan and who sees opportunities for you that you may not always see for yourself. Your mentor can be someone from within your current work context or someone external. Ideally, having both is best. An internal mentor knows you inside and out and can provide more tailored guidance. However, the objectivity and fresh perspective of an external coach can also be very valuable in achieving your goals.
Learn and (re)discover through projects
New tasks or projects are perfect opportunities to showcase your abilities and discover aspects of yourself you weren’t aware of. This can also happen in your personal life. For example, do you feel that your leadership skills are not always recognised or utilised at work, but are you the driving and motivating force as the chair of the PTA at your children’s school? In these private situations, you can be more yourself because the performance aspect of your paid job is not a factor. It’s an excellent way to (re)discover certain skills.
Beware of tunnel vision
Remember: a small step still counts as progress. Building a satisfying career is a marathon, not a sprint. In practice, the path to your goal is usually not straightforward but rather winding, with occasional side roads and detours, which can be beneficial. While it’s important to keep your ultimate goal in mind, beware of tunnel vision. This can cause you to miss smaller but valuable opportunities along the way.
Need help achieving your career goals? Our professionals are eager to hear about your ambitions. Get in touch with us.
Article written by Kim Vanhaeren, CFR Global Executive Search Belgium
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