"People with clear, written goals, accomplish far more in a shorter period of time than people without them could ever imagine." ~ Brian Tracy, famous self-help author. Knowing what you want from life can help you focus and channelize all your mental and physical energies to those things that are important to you in life, and achieve those goals that you've set for yourself. This is true in every aspect of life―may those include relationships or career. From a career viewpoint, if you have well written, short and long term objectives, then you can do proper career planning for how to proceed to achieve those objectives. Stated simply, developing a habit of writing your career goal statements can have positive results in the attainment of those goals. All the major corporate firms have an objective and a purpose for their existence. These statements are not only important for a firm, but if adopted at an individual level can help in creating and clarifying one's career objectives. Which is why, writing career goals becomes extremely important. The following are certain pointers on how to write a statement of career goals and the things that need to be kept in mind for the same.

• If you're writing your career goals in a personal diary, then you can elaborate on them for as long as you like, however, career objectives are mostly written in CV's, hence they are expected to be short and precise. Try to give your statement of career objectives in not more than 2-3 lines.
• Since different job applications may require you to change your career objectives as per the designation and responsibilities, you have to be flexible in making changes wherever required.
• Be very specific about what you want to do. However, don't be rigid in your choices. For example, if you want to be a computer programmer, then don't just try to limit to some very specific language or domain. Give the firm some flexibility to consider you for various other computer programming positions.
• Avoid using 'I want to work as a computer engineer for a software programming position'. Instead, start by saying, "to utilize my skills and abilities and to contribute in the development of software programming...". Restrict the use of 'I' or 'My'.
• Don't be cocky and come off sounding too sure of yourself. Keep the career objective simple and devoid of flowery language.

These career goal statement samples have been compiled from various sources like CV's and personal mission statements. These will help you understand how to write career goals.

• A marketing and sales position that demands proficiency in the creation and monitoring of promotions of pharmaceutical products to customers.
• My career goal is to become the CEO of a leading publishing house and promote publishing works of writers who are talented and struggling to get a place in the media. Owning a publishing house has been my dream for the past 6 years and now after considerable experience as a publishing house manager, I wish to open an independent firm.
• Seeking a very challenging position in an organization where my administrative skills can be best used.
• I would love to work for the long term in industries like infrastructure and construction where there is predicted to be huge growth and development in the coming years.
• I wish to join as a management trainee in the market research department of a firm. My long term objectives include reaching a managerial position by upgrading my education, enhancing my work experience, and acquiring relevant skills.
• I want to work in the research area of biotechnology and understand the intricacies of the human cell.
• Aspiring for a copywriter position in an ad agency, and hope to continue working there for five years. With capital investment, and after considerable work experience, dream to own an independent ad agency.
• To work for a firm that helps me design automobiles and where I can hone my designing skills. Thereafter I wish to pursue my postgraduate course in designing automobiles.

The goals for a person's career may vary depending on each individual, and hence, one should ensure that one is aware of his strengths, weaknesses, and various factors that drive his personality. A proper SWOT (Strengths. Weaknesses. Opportunities. Threats.) analysis must be done to understand one's personality so that one can be more aware about setting career goals. The more you know yourself, the better you can be aware about your choices.