How to set long-term career goals to achieve professional success

Short-term and long-term career goals are personal development goals. You plan on achieving them from over a week to a couple of years or even a decade. Short-term career goals focus on immediate needs. They include things like finishing a certification or tasks.  

Long-term career goals are often bigger. They include things like starting a company, finishing a degree, or leading in your organization. Career goals that span long years require vision, perseverance, and discipline.  

Short-term career advancement strategies focus on thoughtful planning and quick execution.  

Maybe it's early in your career. Or, you're an established professional wanting to change. Either way, this article will help you set long-term career goals. It does this by giving examples and tips for planning professional growth.  

 It will cover the following topics: 

• What are long-term career goals? 
• 15 examples of career goals you can set 
• How to create an effective career plan
• Conclusion 
• FAQs 

What are long-term career goals? 

Long-term career goals are objectives you plan to achieve that will help in your professional life. These span an extended period, from over five years to a decade or more. They provide a roadmap for your career path. 

In contrast, short-term career goals are more immediate. It focuses on meeting specific milestones or targets shortly. The timeline for them is often under a year. Sometimes, the goals may span only a few days or weeks.  

Short-term goals are essential for making progress and staying motivated. Long-term career goals provide a broader perspective and help you focus on the bigger picture. It's common to have a longer list of short-term objectives than long-term career goals.  

Your short-term and long-term goals must align with your personal values and career goals.  

15 examples of career goals you can set 

Here are 15 long-term career goals that you should set for yourself: 

1. Increase your salary 

If your employer provides salary increases based on performance, know the criteria they use for evaluation. Set short-term goals to help you achieve those metrics and document your progress.  

You can then share this progress report with your employer and request a raise in compensation. In 2024, we expect median salaries in Singapore to increase by 4.0%.  

Currently, the median salary in Singapore is S$5197. If you want to earn more, you could ask for a raise in your current position or apply for a higher-paying role internally or at another company.  

Refer to our guide on negotiating your salary when a potential employer makes a job offer to you. 

2. Become a manager 

The path to becoming a manager depends on your organisation and industry. Some companies have strict requirements, including specific years of experience, advanced degrees, and proven leadership skills.  

To build a career roadmap to becoming a manager, start gaining relevant experience in your field and look for chances to take on leadership roles. This includes volunteering for projects or committees, mentoring junior colleagues, or taking on extra responsibilities in your current role.  

You'll also need to focus on your soft skills, such as communication, team management, conflict resolution, and decision-making. You tend to develop these skills over time after you have worked on multiple projects and with different teams. Here's a list of core leadership qualities that you may work on.  

3. Build your professional network 

Your professional network is a group of people who provide support, advice, and opportunities in your working life. By connecting with colleagues, thought leaders, mentors, and potential employers, you may gain valuable insights, learn about job openings, and expand your professional circle. 

Building and nurturing your professional connections is a long-term career goal that requires consistent effort. To begin, join a professional organisation and attend work events. You may also connect with people in your field through social media and other online platforms. 

4. Travel for work 

Travelling for work could be rewarding. It allows you to explore new places and experience different cultures. It provides opportunities to grow professionally and expand your network. Travel exposes you to different industries and markets. It leads to learning essential skills that will enhance your career. 

To achieve this goal, communicate to your manager that you're available to travel as part of your job. Your boss will see the value in sending you on trips if you can prove your worth.  

You may also consider working abroad. Doing so will let you travel for work to see what lies outside Singapore. 

5. Develop a skill set 

A successful career depends on your skills and how you use them. Developing or acquiring new skills is worthwhile because it helps you stay relevant. It also makes you more marketable and valuable to employers. You could move up and get the right role with the right skills. 

To develop your skill set, enrol in online courses, attend workshops and seminars, and obtain certifications in your field. You could also ask for more responsibilities at work. Apply your skills and improve them by volunteering or taking on personal projects. 

6. Learn a new software or tool 

As Singapore transforms into a Smart Nation, there's a growing demand for advanced digital skills. Learn a new software or tool used in your organisation, field, or industry. This improves your performance at work, makes you more valuable to your employer, and gives you a competitive edge when applying for a job.  

You may use free resources such as online tutorials and courses to achieve this goal. But if you want to showcase your new skill, it's better to get training at a reputable institution or obtain a recognised certification. 

With the arrival of generative AI, knowing how you collaborate with artificial intelligence (AI) tools has also become essential to make your work easier. 

7. Mentor other working professionals 

As you advance in your career and gain experience, you can share your expertise with others. Mentoring helps develop the skills and abilities of those who receive your advice and direction. It also enhances your own leadership and communication skills. By guiding and supporting others, you will positively impact the workplace.  

You could be a mentor by participating in a mentorship programme at your workplace. You may also volunteer as a mentor at a nonprofit organisation or online community.  

To be effective in this role, you require strong communication skills. You must possess the hard and soft skills to guide and advise others in your field. 

8. Get your master's or doctoral degree 

Having a graduate degree will help you advance your career. It validates your expertise in your field, which is an asset in today's competitive job market. To achieve this, determine what graduate program is right for you.  

This includes choosing a specialisation. Make sure your choice matches your career goals and interests. 

Also, ask your employer about tuition assistance programs. You could pursue an advanced degree without the financial burden if one is at your workplace. 

9. Speak in public 

Public speaking skills are invaluable in professional settings. A number of Singaporeans tend to be fluent in Mandarin but lack speaking skills in English. To survive in the international scope, you will need these skills. They are vital for giving a presentation or joining a panel.  

Developing these enhances your credibility and boosts your self-confidence.  

To improve your public speaking, consider joining a Toastmasters club in Singapore. You should practise speaking in a supportive place and get useful feedback.  

10. Become an expert in your field 

Becoming an expert requires knowledge, experience, and continuous learning. You will become a respected authority in your field by staying updated with industry trends, attending conferences and workshops, and looking for new opportunities.  

You should also conduct research, publish articles or books, and share your expertise through different platforms. These activities will help you establish credibility and build long-term professional career success. 

With a shifting focus on practical skills over degrees in Singaporean workplaces, it becomes vital for you also to hone your problem-solving and critical skills. You do this by taking up challenging use cases and devising solutions. This improves your ability to approach a problem and find optimal solutions.  

11. Improve your work-life balance 

Striking a healthy balance between your professional and personal life is essential for overall well-being and happiness. It allows you to recharge and have time for your hobbies, relationships, and self-care. This increases productivity and job satisfaction because you give your best effort. 

To meet this goal, start by setting boundaries and caring for yourself. Try to work smarter than harder. You do this by organising your tasks, breaking down a larger problem into multiple smaller ones, and managing your time well.  

Discuss the same with your manager. You should seek their advice on how you’ll work more efficiently. You may also request options such as a change in the work schedule so you can deliver more promptly.  

12. Work for your dream company 

Landing a job with a company that aligns with your values, interests, and career objectives will bring great satisfaction and fulfilment. It allows you to work on exciting projects and surround yourself with like-minded people.  

Being part of a renowned organisation will also provide valuable networking opportunities, enhance your professional reputation, and open doors so you can advance in your career. 

Getting your foot in the door is the first step to achieving this goal. If your dream company doesn't have an opening for the job you want, consider applying for an internship, an entry-level position, or another role that's related to the career you want to pursue.  

Once you're in, it may be easier to transition into your desired role.  

13. Make a career switch 

Sometimes, you need to leap of faith to achieve the career success you want. You may change careers in a different field or industry. Many people in Singapore made this leap, with 16.8% of residents changing careers in 2022.  

A career switch can be a fulfilling and rewarding experience because it lets you explore your interests and passions in a new and exciting way. It also provides opportunities for growth and learning as you work through unfamiliar tasks and develop new skills. 

Look into different industries and roles that align with your goals and ambitions. This will help you make an informed decision about your career switch.  

You may also refer to various resources, such as skill training programmes provided by the Singapore government aimed at guiding you through this process.  

14. Write a book 

As the demand for self-help books has surged in Singapore regarding personal development and growth, you should capitalise on this boom by writing your book.  

Writing a book that applies to your field or industry showcases your knowledge and expertise. It establishes you as an expert or thought leader, primarily if you publish the book. This will bring prospects for speaking engagements, consulting, and collaborations.  

15. Build a course around your area of expertise 

This is a great way to share your knowledge and skills, and you will gain credibility as an authority in your field. You may create a course independently or work with an online education platform. Use multimedia elements to make your course more effective. 

16. Retire early 

This is a long-term goal that many individuals try to achieve. It gives you the chance to enjoy life to the fullest. Early retirement requires careful and thoughtful financial planning. The average age for retirement in Singapore is 63. If you are looking to retire early, you need to save and invest wisely and find a source of passive income to maintain your lifestyle. Planning for your retirement years is essential to make the most of them. 

17. Build a lifestyle that you're happy with 

This involves aligning your values and priorities with your professional goals. Take the time to reflect on what truly matters to you, and make choices that support your overall well-being.  

This may involve making changes to your current job. Or it may mean considering a different career path that fits better with the lifestyle you want to have. 

18. Become a thought leader in your field 

A thought leader has to become an expert in their field, with valuable insights and perspectives that shape their industry. Organisations in Singapore attribute their success to the visibility of their senior management.  

To become a thought leader, you must consistently produce high-quality content that displays your expertise and provides value to your audience. This can be in the form of blog posts, articles, videos, or podcasts.  

You should also interact with your audience through comments, social media, and speaking engagements. This lets you build meaningful connections and helps others view you as a trusted authority. 

19. Lead an organisation 

Becoming a leader is a natural progression for those seeking long-term career growth. Leadership opportunities allow you to inspire and motivate others and significantly impact the organisation. If this is something you want, start developing your leadership skills. These include communication, decision-making, and problem-solving. 

Look for mentorship and training programs to enhance your leadership skills and gain valuable experience. You may also read our article on the various leadership traits to discover what makes a great leader. 

20. Figure out where your skills and competencies align 

Assessing your strengths and weaknesses is crucial to your long-term success. It can help you identify the areas where you excel and need improvement. Understanding your passions and interests can guide you toward career paths that allow you to use your skills and competencies.  

Aligning your abilities with the demands of your chosen career field can increase your chances of achieving job satisfaction and professional growth. 

How to create an effective career plan? 

Here are tips for strategic career planning: 

Use the SMART goal framework 

By applying the SMART goal-setting strategies, ensure that your short and long-term career goals are practical and attainable. Here's what SMART stands for and how to use it in your career plan: 

• Specific: Set clear, well-defined goals that provide direction and focus for your career plan. Replace a goal such as "improve my skills" with "complete a certification course in cloud engineering within the next six months." 
• Measurable: Establish goals with concrete criteria that you can quantify or observe to track your progress. Instead of "become a better communicator", write "deliver at least three presentations to large audiences within the next year." 
•  Achievable: Set realistic and attainable goals that are challenging but still within your reach. Transitioning to a leadership role in a year is extremely difficult, but you can start by taking on additional responsibilities and leading small projects.  
•  Relevant: Align your goals with your values, interests, and the direction you want to take in your professional life. If your long-term goal is to become a senior cloud architect, setting a short-term goal of learning cloud-related skills would be relevant.  
•  Time-bound: Assign specific deadlines or time frames to your goals to create a sense of urgency, stay focused, and manage your time. Rather than writing "start a business someday," set a time-bound goal, such as "launch my tech firm within the next three years." 

Break down long-term goals 

By dividing a big goal into milestones, you can track your progress and stay motivated. Create a timeline for achieving these milestones. This approach allows you to prioritise tasks and allocate resources. It also makes it easier to adjust your plan as you work toward your long-term career goals. 

Address uncertainty 

Though you have already planned out perfectly, things may not go in your favour. It's essential to be adaptable and flexible when creating your career plan. Perhaps a particular skill is no longer favourable due to technological advancements.  

Or it may be possible that you'll have to learn additional skills required in your organisation for a specific project, which may not align with your originally planned goals. You need to be flexible in your approach.  

Remember that changing your goals is okay if things aren't going your way.  

Build resilience 

Dealing with obstacles is a natural part of any occupation. So, it's essential to maintain a positive mindset throughout. 

View setbacks as learning opportunities. Surround yourself with a supportive network of professionals. They can provide guidance and encouragement during difficult times. By being resilient, you can create a career plan that's realistic and achievable.  

Conclusion  

Planning your career goals can be challenging. You can make this easier by structuring them into short-term and long-term career goals. Short-term goals can be milestones you hope to complete within a few days or weeks.  

This can be finishing a course, organising your files, or completing your pending tasks. Long-term goals are akin to what you hope to accomplish over a long period, perhaps five years or a decade.  

When you set your long-term goals, ask yourself what activities you enjoy, how you see your future, and what defines you.  

Always remember that it's never too late to set your short-term and long-term career goals. The best time to do it is now.  

FAQs 

Here are answers to common questions about long-term work goals: 

1. What are your long-term career goals? 
   ⁠You want to reach these milestones in your professional life over several years. These goals are the outline for your professional development. 
2. What is a long-term goal in a job? 
   ⁠You aim to achieve this professional objective over an extended period. It goes beyond short-term goals and focuses on the bigger picture of your career aspirations. An example of this is becoming the chief technology officer of your company in 10 years. 
3. What are examples of career goals? 
   ⁠Common examples of career goals include getting a raise or promotion and gaining a leadership position. You can also start a business or transition into a new industry or role. 
4. What are your long-term career goals in technology?  
   ⁠When considering long-term career goals in technology, you'll need to focus on what role or specialisation interests you. Does working with data and visualisations interest you? Or does a career in cybersecurity seem more interesting? 

• Depending on your interest, you'll need to:  
• Take certifications to enhance your knowledge in the field.  
• Get hands-on experience with different tools and techniques.  
• Get in-depth knowledge by reading research papers and journals. 
• Interact with experts in your specialisation.  
• Practise challenging problems and find optimal solutions.