Most people understand the importance of setting career goals early on. But as life unfolds, it can be easy to let your career run on autopilot—even when the goals that once guided you no longer align with your priorities.
Everyday work, personal responsibilities, and the general busyness of life can pull you away from your main goals. Before you know it, months or even years may pass, and you could find that your career isn’t where you thought it would be.
The pandemic was a wake-up call for millions of people, prompting them to re-examine what they value in their work lives. But waiting for a crisis to help you notice when your career has fallen into a rut or drifted off course can leave you playing catch-up.
That’s where a regular career checkup comes in.
What is a career checkup?
A career checkup is an appointment with yourself to take stock of your career, assess what’s working and what’s not, and figure out if you’re still on a path you want to follow.
Just like regular medical or dental checkups, it’s a way to make sure everything is going as it should and catch minor issues before they grow into major problems. Think of it as career self-care—taking small steps to keep your career in line with your changing goals, values, and interests.
Stepping back to look at the bigger picture can help you:
- Avoid burnout by identifying and addressing stressors early
- Find ways to make your job more rewarding
- Make sure your career supports the lifestyle you want
- Proactively respond to workplace trends and changes in the economy to keep your skills up to date
When and how to do a career checkup
How often you schedule a checkup is up to you. The main thing is not to wait for things to go off course before taking action. Set a regular time to check in with yourself, even if everything feels fine. This might be once a year if your circumstances are stable. If your career or personal life is changing, checking every 3 or 6 months might work better.
This process doesn’t have to take a lot of time—even half an hour can be enough for a meaningful check-in. Find a quiet place where you can focus without distractions.
The worksheet described later in this article suggests questions that will help you reflect on different dimensions of your career. Review the questions and record your thoughts in the worksheet or in a journal. Feel free to skip questions that don’t resonate or add others that seem relevant to you.
Whichever method you use, keep a record of your responses. Each time you do a checkup, you can look back to see what has and hasn’t changed.
Assess your current situation
The first goal is to evaluate where you’re at today. Consider:
- Your stress and energy levels
- How you feel about your work, clients, and colleagues
- What your work-life balance looks like
- How you’re doing financially
- Whether your plans for professional development and advancement are on track
You might find that everything feels pretty good—you like your job, enjoy the people you work with, have time for other things in your life, and make more than enough to pay the bills.
But you might notice trade-offs that aren’t working for you. If you’re sailing up the career ladder and earning more than you need, it may be at the expense of your mental health and family life. If your work gives you free time but feels boring and unmotivating, it can also take a toll on your mental health.
Identifying these issues lets you address them before they get out of hand.
Reconnect with your purpose and values
Your career should reflect who you are and what you value. Think about how your current work aligns with what matters to you.
Maybe you’ve lost sight of your dreams because you had to accept whatever position was available. Or your circumstances or priorities have naturally shifted because you’ve moved into a different stage of your career.
For example, a job that gave you financial security early in your career may now feel unfulfilling because you want more creativity or teamwork. Or a visit to your parents has made you realize that you’re ready to trade in your job in the city to be closer to family.
Clarify your vision for the future
Once you’ve assessed your current situation and touched back on your values, it’s time to think about where you want to go. Set realistic, actionable goals and identify steps you can take toward them.
For example, you might decide to pursue a certification that opens up opportunities for growth. Or you might find a way to delegate a task that drains your energy. Sometimes, small adjustments are enough to dramatically improve your work life. Other times, you may feel the need to make a bigger change, like exploring a new career path or industry.
When thinking about the future, it’s just as important to recognize what’s already going well. Being grateful can boost your morale and help you see what’s worth keeping as you move forward.
Career checkup worksheet
Use the following questions to guide your reflection. Record your responses in the interactive worksheet or in a journal, and revisit them during each career checkup to track progress.