At some point, the time comes when you know your current job inside and out. Or you realize that your current job no longer fulfills you and you find yourself thinking more and more about changing jobs. But you'll only find a job you love doing if you know exactly what your strengths and desires are. Here you can learn how to define your ideal career and how to achieve it.
This is why it is important that you know your career goal
Most workers and employees have the next day or the current week in mind. But it is also important to have your own career goal in mind and to know how to get there. This could mean further training, for example, but also a change of job. Once you have clarity about this, the path becomes easier.
Which activities do you enjoy?
First, you should start by listing all the tasks that you enjoy. These can be activities that you already do in your current job or that you enjoyed in one of your previous jobs. Think about all the professional stations in your life and ask yourself what gives you pleasure and makes you feel satisfied inside - and what does not.
What values are important to you?
Next, figure out why you like doing this job. If you are not yet clear about your values, you should ask yourself the following questions:
- Why do I like to do this work?
- Why do I think this activity is important?
- How do I feel about committing to this cause?
- In which areas would I like to further my education?
The best thing to do is to write down your thoughts. This not only helps you to sort yourself out well, but also to keep visualizing your goals "in black and white".
What can you do really well?
Whether you have just completed your apprenticeship or are about to retire, you have already developed many useful skills in your life. These can be technical skills that you have learned in your training and your career to date. But they also include personal, social and methodological skills. Perhaps you enjoy taking on the role of mentor with new colleagues. To be happy in your job in the long term, you ideally have a career goal that matches your strengths.
Find your personal Ikigai!
In search of your values and your strengths, you can also refer to Ikigai. This Japanese term is made up of life (iki) and value (gai) and sums up your values, skills and all that you enjoy doing. In short, ikigai is what makes you find your actions meaningful. So define your ikigai and align your career goal with it. To do this, you can answer the following four questions for yourself (1):
- What inspires me?
- What am I good at?
- What do I receive my salary for?
- What does society need?
How to define your career goal SMART
Now that you have gained more clarity about your values and purpose, it is best to use the SMART method to find your desired career. This acronym is made up of five characteristics that should distinguish your career goal (2):
Specific: Paint as precise a picture as possible of your desired employer, either mentally or in writing. Should it be a start-up or a large corporation, would you like to work regionally or internationally?
Measurable: Set specific criteria against which you can measure your progress.
Attractive: Make sure that your career goal remains attractive over a longer period of time. A salary of CHF 100,000 may sound tempting to some, but if it means always having to work overtime, your career goal will quickly become unattractive.
Realistic: Check carefully and discuss with experts whether your career goal is achievable for you. Can you possibly acquire missing qualifications or do you simply lack further professional experience?
Terminated: set a date, such as "In five years, I want to..."
Great, you now have a clear idea of your smart career goal. So now you know where your career path should take you.
How to search more specifically for the next career opportunity
Next, you need to develop a plan that will get you where you want to go. This may be to seek advanced training in a specific area. It may also involve realizing that you can't achieve your career goal with your current employer. If so, it's time to start looking for a new challenge. A personnel consultant can provide you with active support in this process.
How a personnel consultancy supports you in your job search
Since recruiters talk to different employers on a daily basis, they know the market and the opportunities on the labor market very well. Based on their experience, they can quickly assess how you can best achieve your career goal. But you may also need professional help defining your career goal. At Onyx Circle, for example, we take a lot of time to understand your wishes and needs - in order to then personally accompany you in your next career step and job change. That way, you'll get to your goal faster.
Set and pursue goals
Realizing your career goal requires commitment and perseverance, but also flexibility. Trust in your strengths and use your personal Ikigai as a guide for your decisions. With a SMART defined career goal and the support of a recruiter or HR consultant, the doors to new career opportunities will be open to you. Remember that career success is a continuous process that can be pursued with determination and enthusiasm - if you know your career goal.
Are you ready for a new career goal? At Onyx Circle, we have nine areas of expertise to help you find the career that's right for you. Feel free to contact us!
Sources:
1 https://karrierebibel.de/ikigai-modell/ (as of 05.07.2023)
2 https://www.bwl-lexikon.de/wiki/smart-ziele/ (as of 05.07.2023)