What are career goals? How to define yours with confidence

So let’s talk about it—the question that pops up in interviews, performance reviews, and even late-night overthinking: 'What are your career goals?' Whether you’ve been asked this before or just know it’s coming, don’t stress. You’re not alone in feeling unsure how to answer. This guide will walk you through what career goals really are, why they matter, and how to develop your own—authentically and with confidence.

What is a career goal?

A career goal is simply a direction you choose for your work life—something that gives your decisions purpose and your progress meaning. It could be as ambitious as starting your own company or as immediate as learning how to lead a team. Some goals help you grow over time, such as earning a degree, while others shape who you are right now, like becoming more confident in meetings. What matters most is that your goal reflects you—your interests, your energy, and the kind of impact you want to make.

How to answer “What are your top 3 career goals?"

(And why employers ask it in the first place)

Before you think about how to answer the “top 3 career goals” question, it helps to understand why it’s being asked at all. It’s not just a formality—it’s a window into how you think, what motivates you, and how you see your future. After speaking with founders, CEOs, and hiring managers across industries, there are two big reasons this question shows up again and again in interviews:

1. Employers want to know if you see a future with them

Hiring is a huge investment. If someone joins a team only to bounce a few months later, that’s not just frustrating—it’s costly. When employers ask about your goals, they’re really asking: “Does your future path align with the opportunity we’re offering?”

We don’t want to hire a candidate who’s applying just to get a paycheck. We want someone who plans on growing in the role and who’s genuinely passionate about it.—Branka Vuleta, founder of LegalJobs.io

When I ask this question, I’m really trying to gauge alignment. Do their goals match the direction we’re heading as a company? If they don’t, it’s better to know now than down the line.—Dave Liu, CEO of Liucrative Endeavors

2. They’re also testing your appetite for growth

Your response reveals whether you’ve reflected on your growth, not just where you want to be, but who you want to become. If you’ve never considered your goals, that signals a lack of initiative, and that’s a red flag for most hiring managers.

No one is hiring just for the job listed. They want someone who can grow beyond the role, contribute ideas, and evolve with the business.—Alexander Lowry, executive director at Gordon College’s Career and Connection Institute

What makes a good answer for career goals?

When an interviewer asks about your career goals, they’re not looking for the “perfect” answer. They’re looking for a real one—something that gives insight into who you are, what drives you, and how you see your potential unfolding. Here’s what strong answers tend to have in common:

1. They’re honest (and grounded in the role you’re applying for)

The best answers are the ones that reflect your actual motivations. Not what you think the hiring manager wants to hear.

When you’re hired under false pretenses, it leads to misalignment and quick turnover—something nobody wants. By responding honestly, you help ensure that you’re a good fit for the position.—Vincent Bradley, CEO and cofounder of Proper Wild

Honesty matters—but so does alignment. You don’t need to pretend this role is your forever home, but it’s wise to focus on how the opportunity connects to your growth. You don’t have to spell out your five-year exit plan.

Instead of sharing goals that point you toward a completely different company or industry, frame your goals in a way that shows how you plan to grow within the opportunity you’re applying for.—Brack Nelson, marketing director at Incrementors Web Solutions

Nelson shares how that might sound in action:

“One of my goals is to develop stronger public speaking skills. This role stood out because it offers hands-on client interaction, and I’d love to grow into a leadership position where I feel confident presenting in high-stakes settings. Over time, I see that becoming a key strength I bring to the team.”

2. They’re ambitious and realistic

Ambition is great. But it needs to be paired with self-awareness. Saying you want to be CEO in three years when you’re applying for an entry-level role doesn’t show confidence—it shows a lack of context.

Intern to CEO works great in the movies, but in life, I’m not buying that plotline.—Tim Toterhi, a chief human resources officer and career coach

Show me where you want to go, but don’t come across as out of touch. It’s all about the right pace.—Andrea Ahern, VP of HR and owner of Mid Florida Material Handling

Your goal doesn’t have to be flashy. It just has to make sense for where you are and where you want to go.

3. They connect back to the role (not a totally different path)

If you’re applying for a marketing role, don’t lead with your dream of opening a bakery (unless there’s a clear bridge between the two). Your long-term goals don’t have to be perfectly linear, but they should relate to the skills you’re building now.

When a candidate’s goals are completely misaligned with the job they’re applying for, it raises red flags, we start to wonder if they’ll stick around—or just use the role as a stepping stone.—Andrea Ahern

Keep the “dream job” in your back pocket. Focus your answer on the next few chapters, not the epilogue.

4. They include steps, not just vague hopes

Anyone can say, “I want to grow as a leader.” What interviewers want to hear is how you plan to get there. Think small steps, not grand visions.

The best answers are the ones that show momentum, I’m looking for signs that you’ve thought this through and are already moving toward it.—Jacob Dayan, CEO of Finance Pal

For example:

“I’m working on building experience in community outreach and have been volunteering with a local nonprofit on the weekends. Long-term, I’d love to launch a social impact project of my own, and this role would help me strengthen the operational and leadership skills I need to get there.”

Short-term career goal examples (that make a strong impression)

Not every goal needs to be a moonshot. Short-term career goals are often the most powerful because they show that you’re intentional about growing right now, not just someday. Here are a few examples that work well in interviews (and with employers):

1. Gaining leadership experience

You don’t have to wait for a promotion to start building leadership skills. Even in entry-level roles, you can lead initiatives, mentor others, or manage small projects.

One memorable response came from a candidate who said his goal was to gain senior-level leadership experience so he could eventually manage larger teams. He clearly explained how his passion for sales, marketing, and tech would help the company grow—and how the role would help him grow in return. That kind of win-win answer really stands out.—Paul French, managing director of Intrinsic Search

2. Going back to school

Further study isn’t just for switching careers—it can be a way to deepen expertise or explore new interests.

I’m always supportive of individuals who decide to go back to school. It shows they’re thinking ahead about what’s required to reach their goals and willing to put in the work. This shows that they are aware a formal education may be required to make a thoughtful career pivot and reach their goals and that their existing college degree may not be enough to speak on their experience, depending on the field.—Dana Case, director of operations at MyCorporation.com

This could be a postgraduate degree, online course, or a micro-credential in a niche area that excites you.

3. Getting certified

Certifications are a great way to show commitment to your field. They're practical, specific, and often immediately applicable.

• In marketing? A HubSpot or Google Ads certification could give you an edge.
• In IT? Microsoft Azure certification or preparing with resources like AZ-900 Dumps can help boost career growth and expertise

It’s not just about the badge—it’s about showing you’re hungry to learn and apply new skills.

4. Honing your existing skills

Showing ambition for honing your existing skills is a great way to answer the career goals question.

One entry-level candidate told me: ‘I can’t wait to jump in and apply what I learned in my marketing degree. I’d love to rotate through departments to better understand how marketing works and understand what my strengths are. This job is really a first step for me to leverage my current skills and knowledge and gain more to help both the company and myself improve.’ That curiosity and willingness to explore made it clear they were in it for the long game.—Ben Lamarche, general manager of the Lock Search Group

5. Starting coaching

Starting coaching is a great goal to help you find clarity and build momentum. Perhaps you're a new team lead learning how to give effective feedback, or you're preparing for high-stakes meetings where confidence is crucial.

When you’re navigating change or stepping into leadership, one of the most powerful short-term goals you can set is to work with a coach. Coaching creates the clarity and momentum needed to move from almost ready—to confidently leading the way.—Michelle Duval

Coaching supports you in closing the gap between where you are now and where you want to be—faster, and with greater confidence.

🎯 If you’re unsure where to begin, start by exploring your own work style with Marlee's free motivation assessment. You’ll get tailored insights into what motivates you, and free online coaching programs to help you hone your strengths, develop any gaps, and work toward your career goals.

Once you've completed your motivation analysis, you can even ask Marlee things like, “Which weaknesses should I focus on improving?”—and receive instant, personalized insights to help you identify what’s holding you back and where to focus next.

Ask Marlee: "Which weaknesses should I focus on improving?"

6. Becoming a mentor

Mentoring someone else is a great way to develop your own leadership and communication skills—and it shows you care about building a stronger team.

Whether it’s supporting a new hire or guiding a peer through a project, mentorship is a leadership signal that hiring managers love to see.

7. Attending a workshop or seminar

Professional development events can spark new ideas, build your network, and deepen your understanding of your industry. It could be something as big as a TED Talk event, or as specific as a local UX boot camp.

For example:

A female executive of a financial tech company might set a short-term career goal of attending the TEDWomen conference as a part of her long-term goal of advancing women in the fintech space.

The key? Make it personal. Link the event to your growth path and show how it supports your long-term vision.

What does a realistic career goal look like?

Saying you want to be CEO someday isn’t the problem. It’s saying you’ll be CEO by next year when you’re applying for your first internship that raises eyebrows.

A realistic career goal is about connecting where you are now to where you’re heading, with steps that make sense and show you’ve thought it through.

Here’s a strong example:,

“One of my goals is to build leadership experience, which is why I’m excited this internship involves managing a team of volunteers. It feels like a real opportunity to grow and learn how to guide others.”

That kind of goal shows ambition and awareness of the journey ahead. It’s future-facing without skipping the present.

A realistic career goal usually ticks these three boxes:

1. It’s possible within your timeframe.

Dream big—but don’t skip the chapters in between. Becoming a CEO might be a 15-year goal. But saying you’ll get there in three? That just makes it sound like you don’t understand what the role involves yet.

2. It connects to your current experience.

If your background is in chemistry and you’re now aiming to be a magazine editor, that’s okay—but you’ll need to show how you’re bridging the gap.

3. You’ve got a plan to get there.

Even if your next step looks totally different from your last one, what matters is the roadmap. How are you building the skills, experience, or network to make that shift?

Here’s what that sounds like in practice:

"I’ve spent the last two years shadowing a fashion photographer and contributing articles to a local magazine. I’ve also started taking evening writing classes to sharpen my storytelling skills. My plan is to complete a degree in journalism and eventually step into an editorial role.”

That’s not just a dream—it’s a direction.

There are no right or wrong career goals—only what’s right for you

After speaking with so many leaders for this piece, one thing became clear: there’s no perfect answer to the “career goals” question. What matters most is that it’s your answer—and that it reflects the direction you want to grow.

That said, strong answers usually do two things:

• Show that you’re genuinely invested in the company long-term
• Reveal that you have the ambition to think long-term, not just short-term

If your answer says, “I’m here to grow, and I’m ready to bring value while I do it,” you’re on the right track.

Your career goals don’t have to be fixed forever. They just need to move you forward, step by step, in a direction that feels authentic to you.