“Where do you see yourself in five years?”
It’s a cliché job interview question that rarely gets asked anymore, but it provides value well beyond the interview. Sometimes, 40 hours can feel like a light week, and we’re so distracted that we don’t take a step back to look at the big picture.
But we should.
If you don’t know what your goal is, you’re not going to get there. Creating a plan to bring those goals within reach isn’t rocket science. A personal journal, for example, is a great way to hold yourself accountable by looking back and evaluating your progress—but that’s only if you maintain it.
Think of your career ambitions and set specific actions you can take to achieve them today, next month and over the next year. There’s always one little step or goal you want to accomplish today. Maybe it’s just a clean inbox or better organization at work. Over the next few weeks, you can chip away at bigger projects, which should lead to significant career development throughout the year.
By employing a few career hacks, you can develop a strategic plan for more effective efforts. Appropriate whether you’re focused on short- or long-term ways to better position your career, these hacks fall into three general categories: