How to create a long-term career strategy

Ultimately, careers can last up to 30 to 40 years of our working life and setting both short-term and long-term career strategy allows us to have a more meaningful and fulfilling Career.  Most of us do not understand how to be intentional, strategic or even how to go about it.

Having a career plan means that will be following your ideal direction and are less likely to get blown off course or side-tracked by career and life events – good or bad!. Here’s some thoughts on how to decide what you really want and figure out how to go about it to achieve it.

Deciding on your career goals    

Think about these…

• What do you like and dislike doing?
• Do you have any passions?
• How do you feel about your current situation and how do you want it to be different?
• Does your current job allow you to follow your passions?
• What is your definition of success?
• What are your current skills, qualifications and abilities?
• How much importance do you place on things like salary, work/life balance, responsibility and lifestyle?

Answering these questions will give you a better idea of your career objectives and goals.

Career goals can be narrow or broad – it’s up to you to set the realistic criteria that mean you’ve achieved it. Your career strategy could also involve you doing less work – perhaps you want to improve your work/life balance, or save up for early retirement. It is important to create some clarity as to what is really important to you right now in your career and life!

Setting realistic goals (and action plan to get there)

• Specific – do you know exactly what you want to achieve?
• Measurable – do you have a way of determining whether you have achieved your goal, or marking your progress?
• Achievable – are you setting your sights too high? Ambition is important, but is it really achievable for you to become the next Elon Musk or an Pilot in the next five years?
• Positive – say “I Can” rather than “I Can’t”

Creating a Plan of Action to achieve your goal

• Do you need to work your way up a certain professional route?
• Do you need to make more time to study for a new qualification?
• Do you have any financial barriers to overcome?
• Do you need a specific Qualification or Licence?

Breaking your career goal into even more achievable, smaller goals can be an effective strategy. Give yourself a timeframe or deadline to achieve each smaller goal to give yourself motivation, and a sense of achievement when you tick things off. Eat the elephant one bite at a time!

It’s also important to remember to be flexible. If something goes wrong or changes, it’s okay to change the smaller goals, or your route to success, as long as you have the long-term goal firmly in sight – don’t give up.

At JstWork.com we want you to have a fulfilling career – not just a job!

If you would like to get more support in your Career Planning feel free to submit your application for a 30mins consultation call!