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Is It Important to Set Career Goals?

The practice of setting goals is an integral aspect of a fulfilling career. Both short-term goals, such as learning a new skill, and long-term goals, such as landing a promotion or changing industries, play a valuable role in your professional trajectory and overall reputation to employers and colleagues. Learn more about why it is important to set career goals:

Motivation

Having defined goals to work toward can boost motivation for your workdays. Knowing that the effort you are putting in plays a more critical purpose can make you feel more excited and inspired to go to work each day. This also increases your job satisfaction since you are less likely to feel bored when challenging yourself to grow.

Progress

It’s all too easy to get caught up in the day-to-day workload and put your goals on the back burner until you feel like you have time “someday.” This puts you at risk of procrastinating on taking action and wasting valuable time. Breaking down your goals into small actionable steps allows you to make consistent progress and not put off pursuing your dreams.

Structure

Setting clear, realistic goals can help you build the career you want more successfully. Rather than having vague notions of what you would like to achieve someday, defining your goals gives you the structure you need to make a plan and take action.

Accountability

Willpower, urgent short-term tasks, and daily distractions can hinder you from creating the professional vision you want for yourself. Having goals, whether ones you have set yourself or shared with your employer, provide accountability to keep you on track to professional development.

Ambition

In addition to the benefits that setting career goals will bring to you personally, it can also give your employer a position perception of you. Employees who proactively work toward their goals demonstrate ambition and are more likely to be considered for raises and promotions.

Explore New Opportunities

Are you ready to start looking for a new job? Turn to IFG to find the opportunities that are best for you. We are a top accounting and finance employment agency serving employers throughout Canada and the United States and can assist you with your job search. Contact us today to meet with an IFG Business Partner.