When you’re sitting in an interview, it’s common to be asked where you see yourself in the years ahead. But have you ever asked yourself that question?

Furthermore, have you ever really sat down and envisioned where you’d like your career to be in five years?

Some people find putting things down on paper (print or virtual in this day and age!) to help sharpen their thinking and visualize their goals.

If you’ve never done one, it might be time to consider setting some longer-term goals for your career in order to get a sense of where you want to go.

Here’s how to get started.

Is where you are directly linked to where you want to go?

When you think about your future, what kind of life do you want to have? Where do you want to live? Are there kids in the future or, if you’re further into your life, grandchildren or retirement? It’s important to know where you want to go in order to decide if your current job can help you reach your goals. Be as detailed as you can in terms of what you want to achieve and the things you hope to accomplish — and write them down! This will come in handy later and help you stay focused.

Brainstorm.

Now that you know what you want out of life, what kind of job would help you get there? Think about the things you’re interested in, your passions, hobbies and the kind of activities you not only enjoy but are good at. Do those things intersect in a job that is available now or might be in the future? Then think about the skills needed for that job. Do you have them? Do you have some experience in that field, to any extent? If you don’t have the skills today, could you develop them or enroll in a class to learn them? Do you know anyone with that job who might be able to help as a mentor or otherwise provide tips and advice? Try to talk with someone who’s current job is as close as possible to what you want to be doing and ask them how they got to where they are.

What do you know how to do?

While some jobs require very specific skills that can’t really be utilized to the same extent in other careers, most jobs have transferable skills, or the ability to perform tasks that are widely applicable and in demand. Being a good communicator, for example, and having great organizational skills makes you a good candidate for a wide variety of jobs! Compare these skills with the job you want: do you need additional training? It might be worth looking into enrolling in a class or series of classes in order to increase your knowledge, but if the position you want is in your company, ask if you can cross-train or spend a few days shadowing the person who has the job you want. Any opportunity to learn skills that will help you reach your goals is worth taking.

Set short-term goals.

If you don’t know how to get where you’re going, you’ll never arrive. Now that you know where you want to go and the skills you need to get there, it’s time to start making smaller, manageable goals to keep you on track toward reaching your dream job. Break it down in increments: If you need more education or training before you can start to gain experience, look for classes, vocational training or other hands-on learning opportunities. Network with people in the industry if you can to help get a better sense of where the industry stands and where it’s going, then learn the skills that will get you there. If you already have a more entry-level position in the same field you want to ascend, talk to your current manager or supervisor about your goals and see what they recommend in terms of how to advance your career. Take notes! By writing down your interim goals and working to achieve them, your bigger long-term goal becomes far more attainable and less overwhelming. Every day you’re working toward it and getting closer!

Be reasonable and adjust accordingly.

Sometimes, industries dry up and the jobs that were available just aren’t anymore. Or maybe technology changes the landscape and the skills that were needed yesterday no longer apply. You will need to be flexible and willing to change direction in order to make your goals happen — some of that is simply due to life and the unexpected. But having a clear vision of what you want to do will keep you driving toward something. Becoming too rigid in your vision or interim goals could result in feeling like you’re not advancing if something goes slightly off-kilter. You need to roll with the changes in order to survive. This is Hawaii — we know what it’s like to manage the changing surf and to adjust to each breaking wave. Adapting to new situations is what we do best!

According to the University of Hawaii, the jobs with the most expected job growth in the next 10 years are:

  • Wind turbine service technician: anticipated growth of 45%, average pay $61,770 per year
  • Nurse practitioner: anticipated growth of 45%; average pay $126,260 per year
  • Data scientists: anticipated growth of 35%; average pay $108,020 per year
  • Statisticians: anticipated growth of 32%, average pay $104,110 per year
  • Information security analysts: anticipated growth of 32%, average pay $120,360 per year
  • Medical and health services manager: anticipated growth of 28%; average pay of $110,680 per year
  • Epidemiologists: anticipated growth of 27%; average pay of $81,390 per year
  • Physician assistants: anticipated growth of 27%; average pay of $130,020 per year
  • Physical therapy assistants: anticipated growth of 26%; average pay of $64,080 per year
  • Software developers: anticipated growth of 26%; average pay of $132,270 per year

Wherever you are in your career, setting five-year goals is a smart thing to do! Having something to work toward can be inspiration and help keep you focused on those hard days when you’re not enjoying what you do. Having goals reminds you where you’re heading and why.

Discover New Opportunities in Hawaii

Whether you’re looking for your dream job or seeking the perfect stepping stone to get you closer to your five-year goals, we have the local expertise and connections to make it happen. Browse our job board or contact our team today to start turning your career goals into reality.