If you want to have a long and rewarding career that includes working a dream job, you need to set long-term career goals.

Long-term career objectives are generally achieved by reaching several increasingly more ambitious goals over the course of many years. When you aim to land a dream job, you should start by laying out each step along the path. A proven way to do this is using a goal-setting framework called SMART, which is an acronym that stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound.

How SMART goals can Take Your Supply Chain Career to The Next Level

Specific

Specific goals have targets that you can define easily. For example, if your dream job is in management, a clear objective might be to gain supply chain management or leadership experience.

Measurable

Measurable goals are objectives that allow you to clearly identify when they have been achieved. For someone looking to get into supply chain management, earning an MBA is a goal that can be easily measured.

Achievable

Achievable goals are goals that have a strong likelihood of being attained. An obvious example would be to say that trying to become a professional basketball player isn’t a very attainable goal for someone in their mid-40s. However, determining what is and what is not attainable can be tricky. For example, owning a restaurant might seem attainable, but it might be very difficult to achieve without the necessary time and financial resources.

Relevant

Relevant goals pertain to the larger objective. If your goal is to get a job in supply chain, then learning how to play the guitar isn’t very relevant.

Time-bound

Time-bound goals are goals that need to be accomplished within a specific timeframe. Time is our most valuable resource, as it has a limited supply. Ensuring your goals are time-bound helps you to keep moving forward toward your main objective.

Talking Career Goals in an Interview

When looking for a new supply chain job, you should keep your SMART goals in mind. In an interview, the hiring manager will ask you to talk about your long-term career goals. The hiring manager will look to see how they line up with the organization you’re looking to join. Reviewing your SMART goals is a good way to get ready for this question.

Often, hiring managers may be seeking an applicant who wants to move their career forward within the company, gaining useful abilities, and becoming a leader in their area of expertise. An interviewer looking for this type of applicant wants to see if you could successfully work at the organization for many years. Knowing the role, its responsibilities, and skill requirements can help you pitch your viability for an open position.

Utilizing your SMART framework, your answer should outline your plans, the steps you’ve taken, and the next steps you’re planning to take. Be specific as far as the next measurable goals you’re looking to attain. Your next steps ought to also sound achievable for someone in your position.

You must also talk about how the open position is relevant to your career plans. Ideally, the next step in your plan should be the position to which you’re applying. You should be able to talk about how this job will benefit your career and the company.

We Can Help You Attain Your Career Goals

At ZDA, we help ambitious professionals reach the goals they’ve set for their careers. If you are ready to take the next step then please contact us today to learn more about how we may assist you.