I am assuming by the time you have gotten into this article, you have clicked on my profile. I am very sorry about that, I will admit that some of my professional experience looks like a train wreck.
At this point I am in my forties, a parent, and back to doing what I started 20 years ago, building products. In the span of that time, I have run my own company, been a part of a team as a builder, been a part of a team as a manager, and managed managers.
Through this all I have always been a very active participant in the hiring process at any company I worked at.
I want to speak to everyone on the most important question that I ask people, and I have already asked it in the title of this article.
Where do you want to be in five years?
I want to write about this subject because it seems like this is a question that you cannot really get wrong. I am writing because I seldom hear an answer that is right. Generally, I hire the people who have a good answer to that question, and especially if hiring them means that I can help them get to their five year goal.
It is really important to have a five year professional goal.
It is also really important that your goal changes based on new information.
My five year goal has generally changed every two years. Often based on new technology, existing professional experience, and advice from mentors.
When you are examining your career choices, you should figure out whether or not what you are doing is going to put you on the path to your five year goal.
You should also make sure your boss is aware of your five year goal. It will help you get more out of your current professional role. Also, it will give a good boss some homework to do. Every second that he can help you reach your five year goal is another second he doesn’t have to replace you.
Every second that your boss is not helping you, is another second you should spend finding a new job where you will find a boss who will.
Thank you for reading. I hope you found this helpful and constructive.
Please feel free to reach out to me if you have questions about your own five year goals. I wish early on in my professional career that someone was around to help me with mine.
