“What are your short term goals?” is a question you will be asked in any job interview. It’s important to have a good answer prepared ahead of time to give the interviewer a confident and polished response. Here’s what you need to know about how to answer this question.
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What is a short term goal?
You want to achieve a short-term goal shortly. This could be anything from finishing a project at work to taking a trip somewhere new. The key is that it’s something you can reasonably achieve within the next year or two.
Why do interviewers ask about short term goals?
Your answer to this question will give the interviewer a sense of your work ethic, motivation, and career aspirations. They want to see if you have ambitions and plans for your future with their company.
Why are short term goals important?
Short term goals are important because they help you stay focused and motivated. When you have a specific goal in mind, you are more likely to put in the effort to achieve it. Additionally, short term goals can help you track your progress and see how far you have come.
Moreover, accomplishing short term goals can give you a sense of satisfaction and confidence, motivating you to keep going. It is also a great way to test out your abilities and see what you are capable of achieving. Finally, reaching your short term goals can pave the way for bigger and better things in the future.
So if you are looking to make some positive changes in your life, setting some short-term goals is a great place to start!
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How to Answer “What are your short term goals?”
Preparation is key in giving a great answer to this question. You don’t want to ramble on or go off on tangents; instead, you want to deliver a concise, well-thought-out answer directly relevant to the job you’re interviewing for.
Your short-term goals should be specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound—in other words, they should adhere to the SMART goal-setting framework. For example, a good short-term goal for an accountant interviewing for a new position might be “to increase my accuracy in financial reporting by 10% within the first three months on the job.”
Add your experiential and educational background to your answer as well. For instance, if you’re a recent graduate with little work experience, you might say, “I’m looking to develop my skills in X area and gain more experience in the field of Y so that I can be better prepared for a long-term career in Z.”
Be careful not to set your sights too high or be unrealistic in your goals; you want to come across as ambitious but achievable. And finally, avoid sounding like you’re just in it for the short-term—you want to show that you’re looking to grow and develop with the company over the long haul.
It’s also important to ensure your answer aligns with the company’s culture and values. For example, suppose you’re interviewing for a position at a startup. In that case, your goal might be “to help the company achieve its long-term vision by taking on additional responsibilities as needed and contributing my skills and ideas to help drive growth.”
What are some good examples of short term goals?
Some examples of short-term goals could include:
- Learning a new skill related to your job.
- Getting a promotion at your current job.
- Changing jobs to a role with more responsibility.
- Taking on a leadership position at work.
- Moving to a new city or country
- Going back to school to get a higher degree
- Landing a job in a specific field or company.
- Increasing your salary.
- Becoming more efficient or productive in your work.
- Managing a team or project successfully.
- Do certification.
- Travel.
- Read a book.
- Learn a new language.
- Start your own business.
Example answers to “What are your short term goals?”
College Student
I want to survive my first year of college and get good grades. After that, I plan on Transferring to a four-year university. Getting a degree is important because it will give me the knowledge and skills I need to succeed in life. My goal is to become a doctor eventually, and I know that getting a good education is the key to making that happen. For now, my focus is on getting through my first year of college alive and kicking; everything after that is just icing on the cake.
Software Engineer
My short term goals are to continue developing my software engineer skills and land a job at a company where I can grow my career. In the next year, I want to look back and see that I have made progress in both of these areas. I am focusing on honing my technical skills, expanding my network, and refining my resume to achieve these goals. I am confident that if I stay focused and put in the work, I will be able to reach my short term goals.
Leadership Role
My short term goal is to take on a leadership role in my current organization. I have been with the company for three years and have gained a lot of experience and knowledge about the industry. I am confident I can take on more responsibility and contribute meaningfully to the team. In addition, I want to continue to develop my skills and become an expert in my field. I plan to enroll in a certification program next year and pursue advanced training opportunities. By taking on a leadership role and expanding my knowledge, I am confident that I will be able to reach my long-term goal of becoming an executive in the company.
Other Answers
- My short term goals are focused on my career. I want to continue developing my skills and knowledge to contribute to my team’s success. I also want to take on more responsibility and leadership roles. I believe that I will become a more well-rounded professional by taking on these challenges. In the long term, I hope to continue to grow in my career and contribute to my field meaningfully.
- My short term goals are to continue developing my communication skills. I want to communicate effectively with people from all walks of life. I also want to continue to build my confidence. I want to walk into any situation and feel confident in my ability to handle whatever comes my way.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, remember that it’s important to take the time to prepare your answer to this question before your interview. Be specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound in your response, and make sure that your answer aligns with the company’s culture and values. Doing so will show the interviewer that you’re thinking and have carefully considered your short term goals—and that you’re likely to be an asset to their team.