When “I want a better job” isn’t enough
When your career feels stuck, it’s easy to say things like:
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“I just want a better job.”
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“I need a change.”
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“I’m not growing where I am.”
The problem? Those statements are too vague to act on – and too fuzzy for a recruiter to truly help you.
SMART goals turn that vague frustration into a clear, practical plan. In this blog, we focus on two powerful questions:
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How do I turn “I want a better job” into a SMART goal?
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Can SMART goals help me work with a recruiter more effectively?
By the end, you’ll know how to move from “stuck” to strategic – with a clear roadmap and a recruitment partner like Resource Complete by your side.
Quick refresher: What is a SMART goal in your career?
A SMART goal is a goal that is:
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Specific – clear and detailed
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Measurable – you can track progress
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Achievable – realistic for where you are right now
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Relevant – aligned with your bigger career direction
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Time-bound – has a clear deadline
Instead of “I hope things get better at work,” a SMART goal sounds like:
“By 30 June 2026, I will move into a Senior Accountant role in the Vaal Triangle with at least a 15% salary increase.”
Same desire. Very different level of clarity.
How do I turn “I want a better job” into a SMART goal?
You turn “I want a better job” into a SMART goal by defining exactly what “better” means, how you’ll measure it, and when you want to achieve it.
1. Define what “better” really means for you
“Better” looks different for everyone. It might mean:
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A higher salary
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A more supportive company culture
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Hybrid or remote work
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Leadership responsibility
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A shorter commute or more flexibility
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Moving into a new industry
Write it down. For example:
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“Better” for me means a people-focused company with growth opportunities and work-life balance.
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“Better” means moving from admin work into a full HR generalist role.
2. Choose a clear target role
Instead of:
“Anything better than this.”
Try:
“Mid-level HR Business Partner in a company with a strong people-first culture.”
Or:
“Project Manager in the engineering sector, based in Gauteng, with hybrid work options.”
Now your goal is not just about escaping your current job – it’s about moving towards something specific.
3. Make it measurable
Ask yourself:
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How many applications will I send per week?
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How many networking conversations will I have per month?
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What courses or certifications will I complete?
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How many interviews am I aiming for?
This could look like:
“I will apply to at least 5 targeted roles per week and book 2 networking calls per month.”
4. Check that it’s achievable
Be honest about where you are right now:
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Do you meet at least 60–70% of the requirements for the role you want?
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Are there gaps in your skills or experience that you need to address?
If there are gaps, that’s not a dead-end – it just becomes part of your SMART plan.
5. Add a realistic timeline
Set a time frame for:
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Updating your CV and LinkedIn profile
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Completing courses or certifications
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Actively applying and interviewing
For example:
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2 weeks to update CV and LinkedIn
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3–4 months to complete a skills course
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6 months to move into a new role
Example: Turning “I want a better job” into SMART goals
Vague goal:
“I want a better job.”
SMART Goal 1 – Job Search:
“By 30 June 2026, I will secure a new position as a Senior Financial Accountant in the Vaal Triangle, with at least a 15% salary increase, by applying to a minimum of 5 targeted roles per week and partnering with Resource Complete on suitable opportunities.”
SMART Goal 2 – Skills Upgrade:
“Over the next 4 months, I will complete one advanced Excel and one financial modelling course and add both certificates to my CV and LinkedIn profile to qualify for more senior roles.”
Now “better” is not just a feeling. It’s a structured plan.
Can SMART goals help me work with a recruiter more effectively?
Yes. SMART goals help you work with a recruiter more effectively because they give clarity on what you want, what you offer, and how quickly you want to move.
When you come to Resource Complete with vague goals, the process is slower and less focused. When you arrive with SMART goals, we can immediately:
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Match you more accurately with relevant roles
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Present you more confidently to our clients
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Help you close skill gaps that are blocking your growth
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Track your progress clearly over weeks and months
1. Clearer briefing = better job matches
Instead of:
“I’m open to anything, I just don’t want to be here anymore.”
You say:
“I’m targeting HR Business Partner roles in the Vaal Triangle or Johannesburg South, hybrid if possible, with growth toward Head of HR in the next 3–5 years.”
This tells us:
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Which industries and locations to focus on
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What level you’re ready for
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How serious you are about your growth
2. Sharper CV and LinkedIn profile
With SMART goals, you and your recruiter can shape your CV around the roles you want, not just the roles you’ve had.
We can help you:
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Highlight the right achievements
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Emphasise relevant skills and projects
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Position your career story toward your next step, not your past one
3. Focused interview preparation
SMART goals make interview coaching more intentional:
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You practice explaining why you want this specific type of role
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You link your past achievements to where you want to go
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You come across as someone who is purposeful, not just desperate to leave
Employers love candidates who can clearly explain their career direction.
4. Measurable progress with your recruiter
You and Resource Complete can track:
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How many suitable roles we’ve shared with you
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How many interviews you’ve attended
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What feedback you’ve received from hiring managers
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Which gaps we still need to work on together
This keeps your career journey transparent and strategic, instead of feeling random and reactive.
Example: SMART goal for working with Resource Complete
“Over the next 90 days, I will work with Resource Complete to secure interview opportunities for mid-level Project Manager roles in the engineering sector, by updating my CV in the first week, refining my LinkedIn profile, and being available for at least 3 interview slots per week.”
This tells us exactly:
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What you want
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How prepared you are
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How committed you are to the process
That kind of clarity is powerful – for you, for us, and for potential employers.
From “stuck” to strategic: Your next steps
Here’s a simple 3-step action plan you can start today:
Write down your “better job” sentence.
Don’t overthink it. Just write one line about what you want to change.
Turn it into 1–2 SMART goals.
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Add a specific role / industry / location
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Make it measurable (applications, interviews, courses)
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Add a realistic timeline
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Share your SMART goals with Resource Complete.
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Let us help you refine them
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Align them with real market opportunities
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Build a practical path from where you are to where you want to be
You don’t have to figure out your next move alone. With clear SMART goals and the right recruitment partner, “stuck” becomes “strategic” – and your next role becomes a plan, not a wish.
FAQs: SMART Goals and Your Career
Q: What is a SMART goal in a career?
A: A SMART career goal is Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Time-bound. Instead of saying “I want a better job,” you clearly define the role, salary range, skills, and timeline you’re working towards.
Q: How do SMART goals help you get promoted?
A: SMART goals help you get promoted by turning vague ambitions into clear performance targets. When your goals are measurable and time-bound, it’s easier to prove your impact, have evidence-based performance discussions, and show your manager you’re ready for the next level.
Q: Can SMART goals help me work with a recruiter more effectively?
A: Yes. SMART goals make it easier for a recruiter to match you with the right roles, position you confidently to employers, and track progress. When you know what you want, where you want to go and by when, a recruiter like Resource Complete can become a true strategic partner in your career growth.
