How do you know if your career is on track?

1 Set SMART goals

One of the best ways to know if your career is on track is to set SMART goals. SMART stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. These criteria help you define what you want to achieve, how you will measure your success, whether it is realistic, how it aligns with your values and vision, and when you will accomplish it. By setting SMART goals, you can track your progress, celebrate your wins, and adjust your actions if needed.

2 Seek feedback

Another way to know if your career is on track is to seek feedback from others. Feedback can come from different sources, such as your manager, your peers, your mentors, your clients, or your network. Feedback can help you identify your strengths and weaknesses , recognize your achievements and areas for development, and learn from different perspectives and experiences. By seeking feedback, you can improve your performance, build your reputation, and expand your opportunities.

3 Review your skills

A third way to know if your career is on track is to review your skills. Skills are the abilities and knowledge that you need to perform your tasks and roles effectively. Skills can be divided into hard skills, which are technical and specific to your field, and soft skills, which are interpersonal and transferable across contexts. By reviewing your skills, you can assess your competencies, gaps, and interests, and plan your learning and development accordingly.

4 Compare your salary

A fourth way to know if your career is on track is to compare your salary. Salary is the amount of money that you earn for your work, and it reflects your value, experience, and market demand. By comparing your salary, you can evaluate your compensation, negotiation, and satisfaction, and see how you rank among your peers and competitors. You can use various sources to compare your salary, such as online tools, industry reports, or professional associations.

5 Evaluate your satisfaction

A fifth way to know if your career is on track is to evaluate your satisfaction. Satisfaction is the degree of happiness and fulfillment that you feel about your work, and it influences your motivation, engagement, and well-being. By evaluating your satisfaction, you can measure your enjoyment, passion, and purpose, and see how they align with your goals and values. You can use various methods to evaluate your satisfaction, such as surveys, journals, or conversations.

6 Explore your options

A sixth way to know if your career is on track is to explore your options. Options are the different possibilities and opportunities that you have or can create for your career growth and change. By exploring your options, you can discover new trends, challenges, and solutions, and see how they fit with your skills, goals, and preferences. You can use various strategies to explore your options, such as research, networking, or experimentation.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?