Planning for a successful career is crucial for individuals who want to achieve their goals and ambitions.
While luck plays a role in career success, it is necessary to work hard and plan ahead with strong inspirational career vision and mission statements.
This article explores the differences between these two elements and provides examples of career mission and career vision statements.
Career statements, also known as Statement of Purpose (SoP), are sentences that clearly outline an individual’s current plans and future targets.
They answer questions such as –
“Where do you plan to take your career?” and “how do you plan to do that?”.
Career statements provide direction and meaning to one’s career, something to look forward to and achieve.
There are two types of career statements, namely the career mission statement and the career vision statement.
- The career mission statement is meant for short-term goals and objectives – It defines an individual’s current action planning, present tasks to enhance their career.
- The career vision statement is future-related, defining long-term career goals and objectives. It describes an individual’s future landscape and purpose, where they see themselves more than ten years ahead. A vision may also define career aspirations.
Personal Mission Statement
A personal mission statement is a statement of purpose for an individual.
It is designed as a career road map, providing direction and means for planning ahead in one’s career. The statement is an expression of values, beliefs, and purpose, and it shows how you sees your own success.
It allows you to focus on career choices that are best suited for you.
Writing an Effective Career Mission Statement
To create a good personal mission statement, you need to know two things.
First, you should assess and formulate what you want from yourself, and your career. Second, you should understand what a personal mission statement does, which is to provide direction, express values, beliefs, and purpose, and help you make effective decisions.
The following guidelines will help you create an effective personal mission statement:
- Make it as crisp and snappy as possible: The statement should be concise and to the point.
- Specify the time frame: The individual should state whether their mission statement is a long-term or short-term goal.
- State the end result and relevant skills: The statement should describe the desired end result and any relevant skills the individual already possesses.
- Specify means, tactical and strategic: The individual should explain how they intend to work towards their goal.
- Concisely list long-term and short-term goals: The statement should include both long-term and short-term goals.
Examples of Short-term and Long-term Goals
Short-term goals may include professional and self-improvement through relevant education.
For example, an ambitious career person might identify which areas in their life need improvement and work towards those goals. Another short-term goal could be to increase professional responsibility and achieve greater financial security.
Long-term goals may involve significant advances up the hierarchical ladder within a company or several companies over the course of a long and varied career. A long-term goal is more of a vision rather than a mission for an individual.
Here are some examples of personal mission statements:
Seven-Year Career Mission Statement
Move up the ladder from Consultant to Resource Manager in the field of alternative energy.
Accomplishments:
- MA and MBA in biology and business management.
- Ten years of experience as a strategic consultant.
- Three years as a consultant in XYZ company.
Means:
- Prove myself as a consultant for this firm in the next three years.
- Become an assistant resource manager for three years.
- Establish myself fully as a Resource Manager by the end of the seventh year.
Long and Short-term Goals for Your Personal Mission Statement:
- Continue working as a consultant for no longer than three more years.
- Take any necessary training towards management.
- Become an assistant resource manager.
- Become a Resource Manager in this or another company by the end of the seventh year.
More Examples of Personal Mission statement
- Pursuing an IT CCNA/CCNP certificate degree from Cisco to enhance my knowledge in IT products and software and improve my chances of getting hired as an IT professional.
- Assuming the responsibility of a Marketing and Sales Executive to receive the required experience in strategic planning, business development, and lead sales teams for top results to improve my success records.
- Getting promoted at work (or taking responsibilities for getting promoted) to managerial/leading positions.
- Looking for a position that requires working on planning civil infrastructures to enhance my technical knowledge and skills in civil engineering.
- Securing a position as a training manager, where I can maximize my training experience, program development skills, and teaching abilities.
- Obtaining an HR management position, where I can effectively use my expertise in staff recruitment and the job application process.
- Working in an administrative position that will enable me to use my strong organizational skills and ability to communicate well with people.
Conclusion
A personal mission statement is an essential tool for anyone seeking to develop a successful career.
By providing a clear direction, expressing values, beliefs, and purpose, and helping to make effective decisions, it can help individuals achieve their career goals.
To create an effective personal mission statement, individuals should follow the guidelines provided and make sure to include both long-term and short-term goals.
Personal Career Vision Statement
A personal career vision statement is a concise statement that outlines your long-term career aspirations and goals.
It articulates your vision for your career and the impact you want to make in your chosen field. It can serve as a guide to help you stay focused on your goals, make informed decisions about your career, and stay motivated as you work towards achieving your objectives.
Your personal career vision statement should be specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART).
It should reflect your values, skills, and passions, and should inspire you to pursue your goals with purpose and determination.
Personal Vision statement examples:
- Climbing up the organizational hierarchies to the top managerial position – a CEO, CFO, or COO.
- Enhancing professional expertise up to the top knowledge/experience level, for example, being a business consultant, financial consultant, or IT consultant.
- Achieving the maximum earnings in a short period to retire early or to open an own business.
Summary
A successful career requires planning, hard work, and dedication.
Career vision and mission statements provide individuals with a roadmap to achieve their career goals and aspirations. The career mission statement defines an individual’s current action planning, while the career vision statement describes their future landscape and purpose.
Creating a personal career mission and vision statement helps you stay focused and motivated to achieve your career objectives.