Talk about one of your professional goals. What actions are you taking to achieve this goal?

Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Answer Example
Community Answers

The interviewer wants to know that you have thought about your career and set goals to grow and learn as a new manager. Most people have career goals. What will set you apart as a candidate is how you express these goals. Provide the interviewer with details of your goals and discuss how you plan to achieve them. You can achieve your professional goals by taking advantage of career development opportunities such as:

- Attending industry-related conferences, seminars, and workshops.
- Reading books related to management and leadership.
- Listening to podcasts from leaders that you admire.
- Completing online coursework and certifications to extend your knowledge base.
- Finding a mentor to help you learn and grow.

Discuss your goals, how you plan to achieve them, and be sure to tie this information into how your goals and actions will benefit their company, should they choose to hire you as their new manager.

"My biggest professional goal right now is to earn my first management position. This is a goal that I set for myself five months ago after I realized that I have a real talent for streamlining workflow and creating organizational efficiency. The first step that I took was asking a senior manager in my department to mentor me. I felt it was vital to learn from someone I admire who is a few steps ahead of me in their career. This mentorship has benefitted me in many ways. For instance, my confidence level has skyrocketed. I know how to present new ideas in a way that is communicative and persuasive. I have learned more about developing co-worker relationships through active listening. I will continue to have a mentor throughout my career, which will greatly contribute to my success as a new manager with Company ABC."

Anonymous Answer

"My primary professional goal is to become an educational manager at a botanical garden. Honestly, this has been my goal since I started teaching. When I realized that this was my path, I asked my manager to mentor me as she was the type of manager I greatly respected and admired, and was much farther in her career than me. I have taken positions in various gardens to learn management styles from different perspectives, picking and choosing those traits that align with my core values, to grow, challenge and improve my leadership abilities. I have learned many valuable lessons in creating and maintaining a positive work environment, the importance of communication, and working with people that have different leadership styles to me."