How To Put Your Career Goals First

Career goals can mean moving into a new job or a promotion. But they can also mean setting boundaries around working hours, making the most of “The Big Stay,” or…anything else you might be working toward.

So to help you get more of what you want out of work, we rounded up three recs to help you crush your goals from Q1 to Q4.

• Let AI write your cover letter for you.

Ahhh cover letters, the bane of every job applicant’s existence. But if you’re in the market for a new role this year, chances are you’ll find yourself needing one (or twenty).

Instead of reinventing the “I’m great, please hire me” wheel, let AI do some of the leg work. You can ask programs like ChatGPT to help you write one specific to a particular role, or create a template so you always have a jumping-off point. Or join the waitlist for this AI career coach, which can help you draft a resume, interpret job descriptions, do mock interviews, and more. 

• Invest (your time) in education.

Gaining knowledge isn’t just power, it’s good for you. Really. In addition to teaching you new skills and making you more adaptable, learning can also help keep you mentally sharp as you age. (And this applies outside of your career, too.) LinkedIn offers free courses (and additional paid ones) on soft skills from video interview tips to recovering from a layoff. And if you’re looking to build a more tangible skill, this list has more than 45 free online courses organized by career type. Go on, get growing.

• Keep yourself accountable.

Setting goals is easy. Sticking to them is harder. And when you’re working toward goals that are a little less concrete (we’re talking setting boundaries around your working hours, making sure you take a lunch break, or actually using your PTO), tracking your progress can be tricky.

One key to keeping it up? Accountability. This can look like blocking out your calendar, journaling to check in on your progress, or setting regular check-ins with a trusted friend or colleague. Need a little more support? This science-backed app can also help you build healthy habits and stick to your goals.

PS: Got more goals for 2024? Get more recs, tips, and tricks that fit your lifestyle here.