Having a written statement about your career goals can help steer you in the right direction and keep you on track to achieving your long-term objectives. Moreover, keeping your goals in an accessible place can ensure you remain accountable and motivated to complete the tasks that will progress your career. This is why you should learn how to use Goal Statement Examples.
What Is a Goal Statement?
A goal statement is also known as a statement of purpose’ or personal statement and is a personal description of your long-term professional goals. A typical goal statement includes details, such as your job title, skills, experience, career accomplishments, education level, and of course, career objectives. Usually, the document is included in a resume or cover letter when applying for a job or graduate, or undergraduate program to familiarize the assessor with your goals.
What Is a Goal Statement Template?
A goal statement template is a printable, customizable file from which you can create a roadmap to guide the course of your career.
Goal Statement Examples
How Can Goal Statement Examples Help You?
The most notable benefit of having a goal statement is that it is your own interpretation of the future of your professional occupation. Goal statements are also beneficial because:
- They enforce your accountability
- They allow you to ask and answer difficult but crucial questions about your career
- They give you an idea of the skills you must gain to reach your goals, thus, giving your career a sense of direction.
Characteristics of a Goal Statement
When creating a personal, professional, or school goal statement, you should use SMART characteristics to define your objectives in the following way:
- Specific: Be specific about what you really want to accomplish. Use action verbs to indicate what you will do, e.g., learn, build, launch, apply, etc.
- Measurable: Set measurable milestones and define how long it will take you to achieve them.
- Acceptable: Make sure your goals align with your future.
- Realistic: This means that your goals should be achievable despite their difficulty.
- Time-bound: Set timelines and deadlines for achieving your goals.
Why Is a Goal Statement Important?
A career goal statement is very important in that once you have set out all your professional objectives, it helps direct you in the right steps to achieve them. This is important because of:
- Accountability: A career goal statement teaches you to be accountable for your own future. You can even share it with a friend or colleague who can keep you on track.
- Motivation: A goal statement shows you the future you will get if you complete your tasks and stick to the plan, keeping you motivated.
- Direction: A career goal statement takes a guess out of the direction you need to take to achieve your career goals.
How to Write a Goal Statement
A well-written career goal statement will work better than any motivational book to keep you focused on your future. Why? Because it is a proactive approach entailing detailed plans with defined steps, milestones, and timelines. If you want to take advantage of this document, here is how to the right a clear and specific career goal statement:
Step 1: Define Your Passions
The first step is to have a better understanding of what you are really passionate about. Remember that this will vary from one person to another, so concentrate on what makes you happy.
Step 2: Research
Do thorough research on what is required for you to achieve your goals. It is also advisable to consult someone successful who was once on the same career path as you.
Step 3: Answer Important Questions
To help write a more specific goal statement, ask yourself questions like:
- Why am I on this career path?
- Do my career goals and personal goals align?
- What skills are needed to be successful in this career?
- What are my values? What won’t I compromise?
- What do I want to be known for in my workplace?
- What is my 5-year plan? What about 10 years?
Step 4: Create an Action Plan
Come up with an accurate action plan on how you will achieve your career goals and also include any skills, courses, education, mentorships, and other experiences you might need.
Step 5: Adjust
You may experience extensive personal growth that could result in the adjustment of your passions and goals over time. Therefore, be prepared to make appropriate adjustments to your statement.
Career Goal Statement Examples
An effective career goal includes both your objectives and the steps you will take to achieve them. Here are 10 Goal Statement Examples that you can refer to when preparing yours:
Example 1
“My goal is to lead my company’s rebranding project. I will achieve this by writing a unique, well-researched proposal that meets the company’s needs and pitching it to my manager.”
Example 2
“I will change my career from Sound Technician to Sound Engineer. To achieve this, I will enroll in Engineering school and earn my Masters’s in the field of Sound Engineering.”
Example 3
“My career goal is to be a college football coach. I will achieve this by getting my Master’s in Physical Exercise and playing more games the next two seasons.”
Example 4
“I will get promoted from assistant manager to regional manager in two years. For this to happen, I will take on more projects, take a leadership course, and network with other branch managers.”
Example 5
“My career goal is to quit employment and open my own shoe design store. To achieve this, I will save money for capital, take a business class, and network with other business owners in the industry.”
Example 6
“I will become a tenured professor at my university in three years. To achieve this, I will complete my thesis, and the current project then takes on more teaching work.”
Example 7
“My career goal is to launch my company’s first community outreach program. I will achieve this by networking with potential donors and pushing my proposal to key stakeholders.”
Example 8
“I will pilot an international flight by the end of this year. To achieve this, I will complete my advanced aviation training and get my master’s in Aeronautical Engineering.”
Example 9
“My career goal is to get a job at SpaceX after my internship. To achieve this, I will complete my thesis on Nanotechnology in Astrophysics and send my application to the company.”
Example 10
“I will open two more branches of my antique bookstore within two years. To do this, I will look for more investors and find a suitable storefront.”
Final Thoughts
You use Goal Statement Examples when you’re determined to accomplish something in your life. Goals give you a better sense of control, direction, and fulfillment in how your life is progressing. Additionally, having a written statement about your future allows you to stop from time to time and take stock of where you are, how you are progressing, and whether you can make any adjustments.
