Aside from resting, spending time with family and friends, and enjoying the holidays, the end of the year can also be used as a time to reassess your career goals. The time off that you’ll have toward the end of 2019 gives you an opportunity to reflect on your current career status and plan for the following year. After all, it’s a season for welcoming new beginnings.
Here are some tips on how to set your career goals for 2020.
1. Evaluate how happy (or unhappy) you are with your current job and position
The first place to begin when reassessing your career path and laying down new goals is to decide whether you want a change in the first place. If you’re unhappy with your current role in one way or another, then it’s highly likely you need to proceed with setting career goals for 2020.
Do you want to move to a higher position? Do you want a job that pays more? Do you want to move abroad?
If you’re unsure, asking yourself some basic questions might help. For instance, how engaged or motivated are you when performing daily tasks? How are you liking your co-workers’ company? Do you still feel excited about coming to work every day?
2. Research rising skills in your industry
If you want to excel and further improve in your craft, you need to keep an eye on the skills and trends that are currently dominating your industry. Then, decide if you want to venture into learning and developing those skills to further strengthen your footing in your field.
3. Set specific and realistic goals
When setting career goals for 2020, you need to be specific. Do you want to work for a new company? Do you want to be promoted to a higher position? Then, your goals should be realistic. For instance, if you want to become a manager, assess whether your experience and skills are already sufficient for such a role.
It will also help to break down your plan into milestone goals. You can set quarterly career goals. For example, if you’re into sales, challenge yourself and set higher targets this coming year.
4. Know the salary benchmarks in your industry
If you’re thinking about asking for a pay raise or applying to a new job that pays more, you can start by researching the average salary benchmarks in your industry. Doing so will help you set your expectations and plan your career development move.
5. Avoid any form of negativity
When setting your career goals for 2020, you have to make sure that those goals are your own. This way, you will always look forward to achieving your goals. When you set goals just because somebody else is pushing you to do so or if you’re simply pressured by your peers and surroundings, you may not find happiness and fulfillment despite reaching the goals you set. When you work toward goals that will truly make you happy, you’ll feel positive about every step you take despite the usual bumps on the road.
6. Develop an action plan
You’ve probably heard of this before: a goal without a plan is just a dream. It’s easy to say that you want to get a higher-paying job next year, but what are you going to do to get it?
When setting your career goals for 2020, you need to specify the steps you need to take to get there. Would you need additional training or further education? Do you need to get certified? When you lay down the steps toward your destination, you will be able to visualize your goals better and stay on track.
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