And you need to prepare an answer because employers ALWAYS prefer to hire someone who can show they’re goal-oriented and have long-term objectives in their career.
There are also a couple of big mistakes you need to avoid when you describe your career goals in an interview, so we’ll cover how to avoid those mistakes, too.
- Advance your education. …
- Earn a certification. …
- Become a manager. …
- Increase your salary. …
- Find a mentor. …
- Mentor another professional. …
- Start a business. …
- Optimize budgets.
What Are Your Career Goals? (How to ANSWER this TRICKY Interview QUESTION!)
Make an Action Plan
The first step in achieving career goals is setting career goals. Examine what you want from your career in one year, in three years, and in five years, and write it down. Make an action plan for each career goal you set. For example, if you want to be making $20,000 more in one year, write that down and make an action plan to make it happen. That may be talking to your boss about what it would take for you to get a raise like that, and then doing it, or it may mean looking for a new job with a higher salary. Whatever you identify as what you want out of your career, writing it down makes it easier for you to make it happen.
Manage Perceptions
Whatever financial career goal you set your sights on, perceptions are an important factor in every career. Working hard and meeting expectations are just part of a successful career. Actively managing and improving how others perceive you, increasing your visibility, and influencing others can mean the difference between just getting paid or getting noticed and promoted. Take a four-step approach to improving how you are perceived by others. Examine how you think you are perceived, ask for feedback from others about how you are actually perceived, examine how you want to be perceived, and start to change your actions and behaviors so others will think of you the way you want. Increase your visibility by working hard to stand out, talking to people, seeking out and doing things that are memorable, participating, and speaking up as much as possible. Use every opportunity to influence others around you and lead people, situations and events.
Get Additional Training
Finance manager experience is an excellent foundation for many advanced positions, such as chief financial officer, chief executive officer, financial analyst, or banking vice president. Additional training, especially in areas you are interested in, will further prepare you and give you an advantage in the job market. Additional training may be required by your employer for advancement. Earning an MBA or pursuing professional enhancement, such as certification as a chartered financial analyst, demonstrate that you are dedicated to the industry of finance and to your professional advancement.
How to remain competitive in finance
Being competitive refers to the idea of being skilled and successful in your job. A competitive job candidate has more impressive qualifications than others, has completed important tasks and has fostered advancements in their industry. Remaining competitive in finance allows you to earn high-level positions and reach ambitious goals in your career. Here are three steps for how to remain competitive in finance:
1. Check current job requirements
A great way to know if youre still competitive in your field is to review the requirements of current job openings. Research your job title online and confirm that you meet the requirements for various employers. If you have yet to gain certain important skills or experiences, you can use this data to inform your career goals and plans. You could also examine the specifications of more advanced roles to see if youre eligible to apply for a higher-level job.
2. Stay up to date on industry news
Another way to remain competitive in finance is to keep up with industry news, events and advancements. Consider subscribing to a finance or economic newspaper or magazine to read articles about topics like new technologies, companies and employment opportunities. It may be a good idea to study a daily, weekly or monthly finance newsletter to learn valuable information about current affairs. This can allow you to participate in conversations about financial trends and issues with supervisors and colleagues.
3. Continue learning and developing your skills
One of the key elements of remaining competitive in finance is to approach your work with a mindset of continual learning. As theories and activities in finance are changing constantly, its important to stay open to new ideas throughout your career. Consider taking advantage of professional development opportunities offered online, by your company or by industry organizations. Its often a good idea to develop your computer and software skills.
15 examples of career goals in finance
Setting a goal and working toward a positive vision for the future can be an excellent way to increase your motivation, guide your efforts and help you accomplish challenging tasks. Make sure your goal follows the SMART framework and is specific, measurable, attainable, relevant and time-based. Here are 15 examples of career goals in finance:
1. Improve your performance
If you work in a finance job currently, you can put your efforts toward improving your performance in your role. Check your company resources to learn about what kind of performance metrics are available. Performance metrics are data and measurements that represent the success of your actions and abilities. For example, if youre a sales representative, you may check to see how well youre meeting sales targets and objectives. Consider asking your supervisor or team leader for feedback on your performance. They may be able to work with you to create goals and implement plans to reach those goals.
2. Earn a degree
Pursuing further education can be a great way to expand your knowledge base and develop your skills in an official environment. Learning about various topics in a classroom allows you to ask advanced professionals for assistance, discuss topics with classmates and build your professional network. Adding a degree to your resume can also help you become a more impressive and attractive candidate to potential employers. While most finance jobs require candidates with at least a bachelors degree in finance or a related field, you might consider pursuing a masters degree or Ph.D. in finance, economics or a similar area.
A common educational path for finance professionals is earning a Masters of Business Administration (MBA). Here are some topics you may encounter in an MBA program:
3. Develop your skills
Developing a relevant skill can be a great career goal for professionals in the finance sector. Think about which skills you could improve on and take action . These could be hard or technical abilities involving areas like mathematical strategies or soft skills involving work ethic and interpersonal interactions. You could take online or in-person courses, participate in training programs or practice self-guided study by conducting research and reviewing various online or print resources. You could also practice a diversity of skills in your personal life. Here are some key financial skills on which you could focus:
4. Gain a specialty
An exciting way to enhance your professional status is to become an expert in a special area of your field. Becoming a subject matter expert (SME) makes you a more competitive candidate for many job opportunities and allows you to contribute a unique viewpoint to companies. In addition, spending an extended amount of time studying a subject enables you to gain a deep and complex understanding of it, making it easier for you to solve problems and innovate in the industry. Here are some concentrations to consider:
5. Learn a new software
There are many types of financial software that automate tasks, organize information and make financial work more convenient and accurate for employees. Gaining proficiency or expertise with financial software can improve your professional qualifications and make you a more attractive investment for potential employers. Software and technologies allow team members to save time and resources and spend their energy on completing complex tasks that require human oversight. Software may help with activities like budgeting, project planning or HR management.
6. Earn a certification
Earning a certification in any industry can allow you to learn about new topics, improve skills and negotiate for higher salaries. There are many professional organizations that offer certification opportunities online. These usually involve taking a course and passing an exam to earn an official credential. Choose a program offered by a reputable, accredited organization in the field. You can also check that it fits with your budget, schedule and career goals.
7. Join a professional organization
Many financial organizations offer memberships that come with various benefits, such as training and advancement opportunities. Joining a professional group can help you meet other people with similar interests and career goals, attend development and social events and build your personal and professional network. Listing your membership with an official professional organization on your resume can show potential employers that youre serious about your field and committed to continuous learning.
8. Attend industry events
Consider conducting research to find local financial events you could attend, like conferences, expositions or meetings. You may also find exciting online events hosted in locations around the country or the world. These kinds of opportunities can give you exposure to interesting industry innovations and theories. You may also meet hiring managers and recruiters who are seeking talented employees for their companies.
9. Find a mentor
A mentor is a more advanced professional that can provide career advice and guidance to you. Those in this position could help you find job opportunities, solve challenges and establish professional goals. You might find a mentor in a supervisor, colleague or another contact. You can also consider participating in a mentorship program provided by an employer or industry organization. Building a positive, lasting relationship with a mentor figure can provide benefits throughout your professional career and personal life.
10. Become a mentor
If you feel that youre advanced in your field, you might become a mentor yourself. Mentoring a beginner or entry-level employee in the finance sector can be a rewarding and valuable experience. If you have expertise in a certain concentration, sharing your knowledge and talents could help someone else advance in the field and reach their career goals. If you have the resources, you could also offer an internship opportunity or program.
11. Write a book
As a finance professional, you may have the expertise, skills, experience and ideas to write an engaging, valuable book. Writing a book could be an excellent way to organize your professional qualifications, thoughts and creativity into an actual, material result. Publishing it could help you convey your strategies for success, research findings or other accomplishments to team members across the industry. It may also be a chance to earn an extra income and build a positive, recognizable reputation in the field. You might read other financial books and resources to gain inspiration for developing your own.
12. Teach a course
Teaching a course on a financial topic can be a great way to build your skills and contribute your experience to helping others. Many believe that the activity of instructing others is an excellent method for learning more about your specialty, questioning your assumptions and gaining a deeper understanding of the topics complexities and nuances. Teaching a course involves developing a detailed curriculum, creating an instructional program, marketing your class and class materials, assigning homework, grading exams and guiding and mentoring a group of students. You might also volunteer as a trainer for an employer or professional organization.
13. Apply to a leadership position
If you want to advance in the field of finance, applying for a leadership position could be the perfect goal for you. Leadership positions may be roles like team leader, manager or senior officer. Consider checking if there are any open roles at the company for which you work. If youre currently seeking a job, look for supervisory roles in which you could guide a team of entry-level professionals. Leading and inspiring others to complete tasks and reach targets can be a rewarding and exciting experience.
14. Work with a high-level client
Consider building your resume by working with a high-level and well-known client in the finance industry. Large corporations or organizations can often provide valuable insights on how to reach success in the field. Conduct research into which companies in your sector are the most successful and try to build relationships with them. You could also check if theyre hiring and apply for a job with them. Listing a famous company on your resume can impress potential employers and start interesting conversations with others.
15. Start your own company
After gaining educational credentials and work experience, many finance employees decide to starting their own businesses. While this can be a complex feat, founding and owning your own company is often an exciting and lucrative opportunity. It allows you to develop useful products and services, help people, hire employees, foster industry advancements and build a brand for yourself.
FAQ
What should I write in career goals?
- Think about your passions. One of the best ways to realize your career goals is by understanding what you’re passionate about. …
- Do your research. …
- Ask yourself important questions. …
- Use SMART goals. …
- Develop an action plan. …
- Adjust accordingly.
What are your top 3 career goals?
- Increase professional knowledge and training. …
- Increase earnings. …
- Improve low-functioning work processes or relationships. …
- Have new experiences. …
- Attain a leadership role.
What is a career goal statement example?
I will be promoted to a Project Lead at CompanyXYZ within the next five years. To do so, I will refine my project management skills, obtain my PMP Certification, and express my desire for growth and advancement to my current supervisor.
What are some good 5 year career goals?
- Earn a new degree. …
- Start own business. …
- Quit working 9-to-5. …
- Land a promotion. …
- Get a pay-raise. …
- Change your career. …
- Become a thought leader. …
- Grow a social media following.
