The Career Connection

Stay ahead with our monthly digest, which features expert insights, the latest job postings, and invaluable search advice from seasoned HR and recruitment professionals.

In this edition:

• Active Job Posts
• Article: Setting Career Goals for the New Year

Active Job Posts

Clark Schaefer Strategic HR helps organizations with either a lean or no HR department by providing customized HR, recruitment, and training solutions. Since 1995, we’ve connected job seekers with their ideal employers from a wide range of industries. Click the links below to learn more about each role and apply today.

• 2025 Summer Festival Internships with the Cincinnati Opera in Cincinnati, OH
• Access Control Field Technician with Matrix Systems in Fort Lauderdale, FL
• Accounting Assistant with Barry Farmer Draperies in Blue Ash, OH
• Bilingual Parts Coordinator with Goettsch International, Inc. in Cincinnati, OH
• CEO with Cove Federal Credit Union in Edgewood, KY
• Collections Specialist with Giles & Harper, LLC in Anderson Township, OH
• Development Associate (Fundraising) with the Ohio Justice & Policy Center in Cincinnati, OH
• Director of College Admissions with The Modern College of Design in Dayton, OH
• Director of Policy with the Ohio Justice & Policy Center in Columbus, OH
• Electrical Engineer with JAVAD GNSS in Fort Wright, KY
• Geomatics Support Engineer with JAVAD GNSS in Fort Wright, KY
• GNSS Product Manager with JAVAD GNSS in Fort Wright, KY
• Human Resource Generalist with an aviation company in Wilmington, OH
• HR & Safety Assistant with Building Composites in Moraine, OH
• Intervention Specialist with New Leaf Organization in the Columbus, OH area
• Landscape Designer with Berns Garden Center & Landscaping in Middletown, OH
• Manufacturing Customer Service Coordinator for the TyTek Group in West Chester, OH
• Operations and Finance Manager with Problem Gambling Network of Ohio in Columbus, OH
• Patron Services Representative with the Cincinnati Opera in Cincinnati, OH
• Production Technician with Building Composites in Moraine, OH
• Quality Technician with Building Composites in Moraine, OH
• Senior Electronics Engineer with JAVAD GNSS in Fort Wright, KY
• Senior GNSS Software Engineer with JAVAD GNSS in Fort Wright, KY
• Senior Manufacturing Engineer with Kadant Black Clawson in Cincinnati, OH
• Software Engineer with JAVAD GNSS in Fort Wright, KY
• Technical Trainer with The Verdin Company in Cincinnati, OH

Find a full list of our job postings here.

Setting Career Goals for the New Year

With the start of a new year, it's a great time for professionals to assess their careers and set goals. Setting clear and realistic career goals can help guide you through your journey, keep you motivated, and ensure progress. Here's a guide to help you set and achieve your career goals in the new year.

Career goals can serve as a roadmap for professional development. They provide purpose, direction, and a sense of accomplishment when you reach each milestone. Setting career goals can help with:

• Clarifying your career vision: Understanding where you want to go and what you want to achieve.
• Increasing your motivation: Have tangible objectives to work towards.
• Measuring progress: Tracking your achievements and identifying areas for improvement.
• Enhancing decision-making: Making informed choices that align with your career aspirations.

Steps to Setting Realistic and Achievable Career Goals

1. Self-Assessment

Start by evaluating your current position, skills, strengths, and areas for improvement. Then, consider your interests, values, and passions. Ask yourself these questions:

• What are my current skills and competencies?
• What are my strengths and weaknesses?
• What am I passionate about?
• What are my core values, and how do they align with my career?
• What are my long-term career aspirations?

This self-assessment will provide a solid foundation for setting meaningful and relevant career goals.

2. Define Specific, Measurable Goals

Ensure your career goals are clear and well-defined. Use the SMART criteria to set goals that are:

• Specific: Clearly state what you want to achieve.
• Measurable: Include criteria to track your progress.
• Achievable: Set realistic goals within your capabilities.
• Relevant: Align goals with your overall career aspirations.
• Time-bound: Set deadlines to keep yourself accountable.

For example, instead of saying, "I want to improve my skills," specify, "I want to complete a Marketing Course by April 1st." Or something as simple as “I want to improve email response time.”

3. Break Down Goals into Actionable Steps

Large goals can appear overwhelming; therefore, breaking them down into smaller, more manageable tasks is essential. This approach allows you to create a step-by-step plan that outlines the actions required to achieve each objective. For example, if your goal is to improve email response time, your steps might include responding to all work-related emails within 24 hours, tracking the number of emails responded to within that timeframe, allocating specific daily time slots to check and respond to emails, and consistently following this routine. By adhering to these strategies, you should be able to accomplish this goal within the next two to four months.

4. Prioritize Your Goals

After creating your goals, the next step is to determine which are most important and focus on them first. Prioritizing helps you allocate your time and resources effectively. When ranking your goals, consider factors such as career impact, personal interest, and feasibility. This approach ensures you stay focused on what matters most and avoid spreading yourself too thin.

5. Set Short-Term and Long-Term Goals

Balance your career planning by setting both short-term and long-term goals. Short-term goals are achievable within a few months to a year and provide quick wins that boost motivation. Long-term goals can span from one to several years and can be created to guide your overall career progression. For example, a short-term goal could be to attend a professional networking event, while a long-term goal could be to become a manager within your department.

6. Seek Feedback and Support

Asking for feedback from colleagues, mentors, or supervisors can be valuable. Insights from those around you can provide different perspectives on your career goals and the steps needed to achieve them. Additionally, having a support network or building a network can offer encouragement, accountability, and guidance throughout your career journey.

7. Stay Flexible and Adaptable

While remaining open to change is important, you must also have a clear plan of where you want to be. The professional landscape is constantly changing, and unexpected opportunities or challenges may arise. You must be willing to adjust your goals and strategies as needed to navigate through those challenges. Flexibility ensures you stay resilient and proactive in your career path.

8. Monitor Your Progress

It is vital to regularly review and evaluate your progress toward your goals. Set aside time each week, month or quarter to reflect on what you’ve accomplished and identify areas for improvement. Make sure to celebrate your successes and learn from any setbacks you might face. This ongoing evaluation helps keep you on track and motivated.

Career Goal Examples

To inspire your goal-setting process, here are some examples of realistic and achievable career goals for the new year:

• Obtain a New Certification: A certification relevant to your field, such as PMP (Project Management Professional) or CPA (Certified Public Accountant), within the next 12 months to enhance your qualifications and career prospects.
• Expand Your Professional Network: Participate in industry conferences, join professional associations, and connect with peers on LinkedIn.
• Achieve a Promotion: Pursue opportunities for advancement by accepting additional responsibilities and showcasing leadership skills.
• Improve Work-Life Balance: Develop and implement strategies to manage time effectively, reduce stress, and prioritize personal well-being.
• Enhance Your Technical Skills: Enroll in courses or workshops to master specific software or technology relevant to your field. Aim to complete them within 6 months.

Conclusion

Setting and achieving career goals requires planning, dedication, and perseverance. By following these guidelines, you can establish clear, realistic, and achievable goals that align with your career aspirations in the upcoming year. Remember, the journey to professional success is ongoing. Stay committed, stay adaptable, and celebrate each milestone, big and small, along the way.

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Thank you to Ashly Avery, Talent Acquisition Consultant, for lending her expertise to this article.

Clark Schaefer Strategic HR helps organizations with either a lean or no HR department by providing customized HR, recruitment, and training solutions. We’ve been providing human resources and recruiting expertise to organizations of all sizes for nearly three decades, and we’re proud to be recognized as a leader in our industry. Learn more about us by visiting our website. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.