The new year is a common time to set your sights on the future, making it a perfect moment to consider what you’d like for your career and how to hit the target. Whether you’re looking for contract pharma jobs in NJ or simply want to start the year off on the best possible professional foot, setting career goals is wise. Here are some tips that can help you set meaningful, motivating career goals in 2023.

Figure Out If Your Career Is Working

Before you worry about setting career goals, you need to determine if your current path is still a good fit. Many people change course multiple times over the years, so making a switch isn’t uncommon. As a result, it’s wise to consider whether a new field or industry is a better choice. Consider what you do and don’t like about your career currently, using that to see if the pros outweigh the cons.

Additionally, take a close look at the position you hold now and your employer. List what you do and don’t enjoy about your role, the company’s culture, the general environment, and your compensation. That process lets you decide if getting a new job in your current field should be a priority.

Research Your Ideal Career Path

Whether you plan on changing jobs or careers or staying the course, do some research into that career path. Compare your current skill set and amount of experience to what’s needed for your dream role. Look into other companies in your industry to see what they offer. Research salaries to see if you’re fairly compensated now and what to aim for as you progress.

By doing your research, you can identify potential targets for goals. For example, if you need to acquire a new skill to qualify for your dream position, you can make getting it a objective for the upcoming year. If you’re short on relevant experience, you can dig into volunteer opportunities or side gigs that could address the gap.

Don’t Just Set Goals; Design Roadmaps

Once you know what you’d like to set as a goal, you want to create a methodical approach to achieve it. Use the SMART goal approach to ensure your targets are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound. With that strategy, you have a well-defined objective, making it easier to identify a path for completion.

Next, use your SMART goal to create a functional roadmap. Identify each milestone between where you are and achieving the objective. Then, estimate the time required for each component, and assign due dates to the related actions. By building a formal plan with time-sensitive action steps, you have a clear course to follow, increasing your odds of ultimately hitting your goal at the right time.

Begin The Path to a Better Career

The tips above can help you set meaningful and motivating career goals in 2023. If you’d like help reaching your new career targets, the recruiters at Alpha Consulting can help. Contact us today or browse our career portal to get started.