Why Now is the Best Time to Assess Your Career Goals

Over the past two years, the COVID-19 pandemic has had far-reaching effects on employment. From the rise of remote working and video-conferencing technologies to the Great Resignation becoming a popular topic of discussion, the impact of the pandemic is profound.

The pandemic may have changed certain things within the workplace but it has also proven to be clarifying for many. This report by ING showed that the pandemic has caused 28% of respondents to dream about a different life and consider whether their existing skills will always be needed. The report also shows that people are using this time now to plan and upskill – so why not do the same?

Now is the perfect time to think about your ambitions and where you see yourself going. In this blog, we will explore some key things to keep in mind when it comes to reviewing career goals that will help you to get serious about the path you are on.

Think About How You Got Where You Are

The fact is that many people are where they are in their careers without a clear idea of how they got there. For others, they simply followed an interest they developed during their childhood/teenage years. This interest turned into a degree, which turned into a career – and that’s okay!

But when was the last time you thought about how you arrived where you currently are in your career? Was it part of a plan, or is it just somewhere you’ve ended up? Are your interests changing as you get older? All these questions are relevant when it comes to your future.

When you know how you got where you are, you can finally look at where you want to go next and craft the right pathway to get there.

Consider What You Want

It is worth taking the time to consider both your personal and professional life when thinking about your career goals.

Are you content professionally, or do you want a job that challenges you more? What do those challenges look like – can you get them in your current role, or do you need to look elsewhere?

Similarly, what do you want your career to give you in your personal life? If you value your free time, then perhaps taking on a more demanding role isn’t the right decision for you to make. However, if you want to retire early then you may need to think about searching for a more lucrative job.

Planning a career is about balancing the demands and desires of both your personal and professional world, so think about what will benefit each to decide on your career goals.

Remember, You Don’t Always Have To Go Upward

When you’re considering the next steps in your career, it is too easy to fall into the trap of thinking that success means you always need to be moving on to new things: bigger titles, tougher challenges, more attractive salaries.

Success isn’t linear and depending on what your goals are personally and professionally; it might look quite different for you. Sometimes the greatest opportunities and professional growth come because of moving sideways.

Be open to moving laterally, either within your current job or to other industries. These moves may not come with the titles or rewards that you associate with success, but the chances are that they’ll lead to greater satisfaction and personal development.

You don’t need to always move upwards – oftentimes, the higher up the ladder you get, the more removed you are from what you originally liked about your job.

Don’t Overlook Good Opportunities

Just as it is easy to think that you always need to be climbing the professional ladder, it’s easy to overlook good opportunities because they aren’t what you’re used to. For example, you might not have previously considered temporary or contract positions, but they can be one of the best ways to achieve some of your career goals without needing to make major life changes.

Perhaps you’re interested in exploring a different role in your industry or have always wanted to spend some time living overseas? Contract roles allow you to do both things at once if you so desire. They can also be a wonderful way to get your foot in the door and gain some experience with a new company to see if they’re the right fit. The important thing is to remain open to opportunities outside of your normal experience, as they can be valuable stepping stones towards achieving your career goals.

Summary

It may be tough to take a step back and plan your career goals, but if you don’t take the time now, then when?

The job market has shifted and the way we work is changing, too. You deserve to have a career you love, so make time and set some goals that carve a path to a future you’re excited about.

And if you find yourself struggling, we can help! As a leading recruitment agency in Sydney, we collaborate closely with our candidates to get clear on their career goals and connect them with the best sales and account management, digital and marketing, business support, contact centre, customer service and executive jobs in Sydney and Australia wide.

If you think a career change might be in order, or just want a second opinion, get in touch with one of our wonderful WOWzers today.