By MKAP Global · 3 min read
Short-term career goals are targets you can reach within a few weeks to about a year, such as learning a new skill, completing a certification, expanding your network or improving a specific part of your performance. They are the building blocks of your long-term career goals. Below are 20 examples across five categories, plus a simple way to choose the right ones for you.
Key takeaways
- Short-term goals usually take weeks to a year to achieve.
- The best ones are stepping stones toward a long-term direction.
- Mix goals across skills, visibility, network, performance and wellbeing.
- Write each one as a SMART goal with a clear deadline.
Short-term vs long-term career goals
| Short-term goals | Long-term goals | |
|---|---|---|
| Timeframe | A few weeks to about one year | Usually one to five years or more |
| Example | Complete a project management course by June | Become a project manager within three years |
| Purpose | Build momentum and specific skills | Set direction and purpose |
Long-term goals tell you where you are heading. Short-term goals tell you what to do next. You need both.
20 short-term career goal examples
Skills
- Complete an online course in a skill your target role requires within three months.
- Earn a recognised certification in your field this year.
- Learn the basics of a software tool your team relies on within six weeks.
- Improve your writing by drafting and getting feedback on one report each month.
Visibility
- Send your manager a short monthly summary of your results for the next six months.
- Present your work at a team or department meeting this quarter.
- Volunteer for one high-profile project within the next three months.
- Update your professional profile and résumé with your latest achievements this month.
Network
- Have coffee or a video call with two new professional contacts every month.
- Attend one industry event or webinar each month for the next six months.
- Find a mentor and hold your first meeting within 30 days.
- Join a professional association or community and attend regularly.
Performance
- Hit or exceed your main performance target for the next two quarters.
- Ask for specific feedback after every major project this year.
- Reduce the time it takes you to complete a recurring task by 20 percent within three months.
- Take ownership of one process your team struggles with and improve it this quarter.
Wellbeing and balance
- Stop checking work email after a set time on weekdays for the next month.
- Take all your annual leave this year, planned in advance.
- Block one hour a week for focused learning with no meetings.
- Build a weekly 15-minute review habit for your goals.
How to choose the right short-term goals
- Start from your long-term goal. If you do not have one yet, see What Is a Career Path?.
- Identify the biggest gaps between where you are and where you want to be.
- Pick two or three goals that close the most important gaps first.
- Write each as a SMART goal with a number and a deadline. Our SMART goal guide shows how.
- Schedule the first action this week.
Connect them to your long-term plan
Short-term goals are most powerful when they add up to something. A professional development plan links your long-term direction to the short-term goals and actions that get you there, and gives you a simple way to review progress.
Frequently asked questions
What is a short-term career goal?
A specific, achievable target you can reach within weeks to about a year that moves you toward your longer-term career direction.
How do I answer "What are your short-term goals?" in an interview?
Name one or two goals that are relevant to the role, such as mastering a key skill or contributing to a specific type of project, and explain how they connect to your longer-term direction.
How many short-term goals should I have?
Two or three at a time is ideal. More than that tends to scatter your focus.
How often should I update my short-term goals?
Review them every quarter and set new ones as you complete them.
Related guides
- How to Create a Professional Development Plan (Free Template)
- What Is a SMART Goal? Definition and Career Examples
- Personal Development Goals: How to Set Them, With Examples
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