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10 OKR examples for Career

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What are Career OKRs?

The Objective and Key Results (OKR) framework is a simple goal-setting methodology that was introduced at Intel by Andy Grove in the 70s. It became popular after John Doerr introduced it to Google in the 90s, and it's now used by teams of all sizes to set and track ambitious goals at scale.

Creating impactful OKRs can be a daunting task, especially for newcomers. Shifting your focus from projects to outcomes is key to successful planning.

We have curated a selection of OKR examples specifically for Career to assist you. Feel free to explore the templates below for inspiration in setting your own goals.

If you want to learn more about the framework, you can read our OKR guide online.

Career OKRs examples

We've added many examples of Career Objectives and Key Results, but we did not stop there. Understanding the difference between OKRs and projects is important, so we also added examples of strategic initiatives that relate to the OKRs.

Hope you'll find this helpful!

OKRs to determining post-high school career path

  • ObjectiveDetermining post-high school career path
  • KRConduct informational interviews with 5 professionals in fields of interest
  • TaskIdentify and list 5 professionals in desired fields
  • TaskPrepare interview questions related to their fields
  • TaskCompose and send request emails for interviews
  • KRComplete comprehensive career assessment and review results with counselor
  • TaskSet up a meeting to review results with a counselor
  • TaskAnalyze the results of the career assessment
  • TaskSchedule and complete a comprehensive career assessment
  • KRAttend 3 career-related workshops or information sessions
  • TaskResearch upcoming career-related workshops or information sessions
  • TaskAttend the chosen career workshops/sessions
  • TaskRegister for three selected career workshops/sessions

OKRs to secure a satisfying and rewarding career

  • ObjectiveSecure a satisfying and rewarding career
  • KRSecure at least 2 job interviews per month
  • TaskPractice and hone interviewing skills regularly
  • TaskUpdate resume to highlight skills and accomplishments
  • TaskApply to at least 15 jobs per week
  • KRResearch and identify at least 15 potential careers that align with my skills and interests
  • TaskIdentify personal skills and interests through self-assessment
  • TaskCompile a list of 15 potential careers
  • TaskResearch careers that match identified skills and interests
  • KRApply to a minimum of 5 jobs weekly that match the identified careers
  • TaskSend applications to identified jobs
  • TaskTailor resumes and cover letters for each job
  • TaskIdentify 5 jobs weekly matching career preferences

OKRs to establish credibility and recognition as a successful mentor and career guide

  • ObjectiveEstablish credibility and recognition as a successful mentor and career guide
  • KRSuccessfully guide 10 individuals in their chosen career paths
  • TaskMonitor progress and provide regular feedback for improvement
  • TaskDevelop personalized career development plans for each individual
  • TaskProvide one-on-one career counseling for individual path planning
  • KRReceive at least a 4-star rating on mentorship from each individual
  • TaskContinuously enhance communication and listening skills
  • TaskProvide personalized guidance tailored to each individual's needs
  • TaskSeek feedback regularly and adjust mentorship style accordingly
  • KRPromote personal brand by publishing 5 insightful articles on career guidance
  • TaskIdentify key topics of interest on career guidance
  • TaskPublish and promote articles via social media platforms
  • TaskDraft and finalize five insightful articles

OKRs to establish my unique, impactful role in the organization

  • ObjectiveEstablish my unique, impactful role in the organization
  • KRDevelop a personalized career plan with specified growth targets by month-end
  • TaskIdentify required skills and necessary action steps
  • TaskDraft a detailed timeline for achievement
  • TaskDefine specific career milestones to obtain
  • KRAchieve a minimum 80% approval rating on the execution of assigned roles and responsibilities
  • TaskConsistently deliver high quality work
  • TaskImplement training programs for skill enhancement
  • TaskSolicit regular feedback to identify areas needing improvement
  • KRAttain deep knowledge and skills in my designated area with at least 90% proficiency
  • TaskSeek mentorship or coaching in the designated area
  • TaskEngage in daily devoted study and practice sessions
  • TaskRegularly evaluate progress and adjust learning methods

OKRs to secure employment to considerably escalate financial standing

  • ObjectiveSecure employment to considerably escalate financial standing
  • KRIdentify and apply to 30 relevant job openings within the first month
  • TaskIdentify 30 suitable job openings in the desired field
  • TaskTailor CV and cover letter for each job opening
  • TaskSubmit applications to all identified job openings
  • KRObtain a well-remunerated job offer that multiplies current income by 10
  • TaskNetwork intensively within the desired high-paying industry
  • TaskOptimize job application materials for high salary jobs
  • TaskUpdate skills through additional certifications or advanced education
  • KRSecure at least 5 job interviews within the second month
  • TaskUpdate CV and cover letter to fit targeted job positions
  • TaskApply to at least 20 relevant job postings weekly
  • TaskNetwork with professionals in the chosen field

OKRs to establish a comprehensive Career Development Program

  • ObjectiveEstablish a comprehensive Career Development Program
  • KREnroll 50% employees in career development courses or workshops
  • KRMeasure and achieve a 25% increase in internal promotions or role advancements
  • TaskRegularly review individual performance and potential for advancement
  • TaskImplement robust employee development programs
  • TaskDefine clear career progression pathways within the organization
  • KRDesign a robust career development framework for all department employees
  • TaskResearch successful career development frameworks in similar industries
  • TaskSurvey employees to identify desired career progression and development areas
  • TaskDraft a tailorable framework focusing on development, progression, and mentorship

OKRs to enhance the career development of our team members

  • ObjectiveEnhance the career development of our team members
  • KRIncrease attendance at professional development workshops by 20%
  • TaskDevelop inspiring guest speaker events
  • TaskLaunch a promotional campaign across various platforms
  • TaskStart a referral program to encourage attendance
  • KRAchieve a 30% increase in team members applying for internal promotions
  • TaskImprove communication on promotion criteria and processes
  • TaskPromote awareness of available internal promotion opportunities
  • TaskImplement training programs to enhance employees' skills
  • KRImplement a process for individualized career development plans for all team members
  • TaskDevelop a standardized template for individual career development plans
  • TaskSchedule one-on-one meetings to discuss and tailor these plans
  • TaskDefine clear career paths for each job position in the team

OKRs to enhance career growth of junior team members through mentorship

  • ObjectiveEnhance career growth of junior team members through mentorship
  • KRImprove junior team members' project completion rate by 20%
  • TaskProvide constructive feedback and guidance frequently
  • TaskEstablish a mentorship program within the team
  • TaskImplement regular hands-on training sessions for junior team members
  • KRConduct weekly personalized training sessions for each junior team member
  • TaskIdentify individual training needs for every junior team member
  • TaskDedicate time to execute training sessions weekly
  • TaskDevelop weekly personalized training plans
  • KRAchieve a 15% increase in junior team members assuming leadership roles in projects
  • TaskImplement leadership training programs for junior team members
  • TaskCreate opportunities for mentorship from senior leaders
  • TaskDelegate more responsibilities to promising junior members

OKRs to improve your career path

  • ObjectiveProvide comprehensive, quality career path advice to our customers
  • KRIncrease the number of customers returning for repeat career path advice by 30%
  • KRIncrease customer satisfaction ratings for career path advice by 20%
  • TaskMonitor customer satisfaction ratings and adjust strategies to reach desired 20% increase.
  • TaskAnalyze customer feedback data to identify areas of improvement.
  • TaskCreate a customer satisfaction survey for career path advice.
  • TaskImplement changes based on customer feedback to improve career path advice.
  • KRIncrease the number of customers receiving career path advice by 50%
  • TaskMonitor and evaluate customer feedback to ensure career path advice services are meeting customer needs.
  • TaskAnalyze customer survey results to determine areas of opportunity for career path advice.
  • TaskDevelop and implement a customer survey to assess current needs related to career path advice.
  • TaskCreate targeted campaigns to promote career path advice services to existing customers.

OKRs to achieve personal and financial stability

  • ObjectiveAchieve personal and financial stability
  • KRSpend less than monthly income to create savings buffer of 15%
  • TaskCut back on unnecessary costs
  • TaskEstablish a strict monthly budget plan
  • TaskAllocate 15% of every paycheck to savings
  • KRSecure steady income by landing a full time job
  • TaskUpdate and optimize your resume to highlight relevant skills and experiences
  • TaskPrep and practice for potential job interviews
  • TaskResearch and apply to job openings in your chosen field
  • KRAttend 1 personal development workshop per month to enhance emotional stability
  • TaskRegister and pay for selected workshops
  • TaskParticipate fully in each workshop
  • TaskResearch and find upcoming personal development workshops

How to write your own Career OKRs

1. Get tailored OKRs with an AI

You'll find some examples below, but it's likely that you have very specific needs that won't be covered.

You can use Tability's AI generator to create tailored OKRs based on your specific context. Tability can turn your objective description into a fully editable OKR template -- including tips to help you refine your goals.

Tability will then use your prompt to generate a fully editable OKR template.

Watch the video below to see it in action 👇

Option 2. Optimise existing OKRs with Tability Feedback tool

If you already have existing goals, and you want to improve them. You can use Tability's AI feedback to help you.

AI feedback for OKRs in TabilityTability's Strategy Map makes it easy to see all your org's OKRs

Tability will scan your OKRs and offer different suggestions to improve them. This can range from a small rewrite of a statement to make it clearer to a complete rewrite of the entire OKR.

You can then decide to accept the suggestions or dismiss them if you don't agree.

Option 3. Use the free OKR generator

If you're just looking for some quick inspiration, you can also use our free OKR generator to get a template.

Unlike with Tability, you won't be able to iterate on the templates, but this is still a great way to get started.

Career OKR best practices

Generally speaking, your objectives should be ambitious yet achievable, and your key results should be measurable and time-bound (using the SMART framework can be helpful). It is also recommended to list strategic initiatives under your key results, as it'll help you avoid the common mistake of listing projects in your KRs.

Here are a couple of best practices extracted from our OKR implementation guide 👇

Tip #1: Limit the number of key results

The #1 role of OKRs is to help you and your team focus on what really matters. Business-as-usual activities will still be happening, but you do not need to track your entire roadmap in the OKRs.

We recommend having 3-4 objectives, and 3-4 key results per objective. A platform like Tability can run audits on your data to help you identify the plans that have too many goals.

Tip #2: Commit to weekly OKR check-ins

Don't fall into the set-and-forget trap. It is important to adopt a weekly check-in process to get the full value of your OKRs and make your strategy agile – otherwise this is nothing more than a reporting exercise.

Being able to see trends for your key results will also keep yourself honest.

Tip #3: No more than 2 yellow statuses in a row

Yes, this is another tip for goal-tracking instead of goal-setting (but you'll get plenty of OKR examples above). But, once you have your goals defined, it will be your ability to keep the right sense of urgency that will make the difference.

As a rule of thumb, it's best to avoid having more than 2 yellow/at risk statuses in a row.

Make a call on the 3rd update. You should be either back on track, or off track. This sounds harsh but it's the best way to signal risks early enough to fix things.

How to track your Career OKRs

Your quarterly OKRs should be tracked weekly in order to get all the benefits of the OKRs framework. Reviewing progress periodically has several advantages:

Spreadsheets are enough to get started. Then, once you need to scale you can use a proper OKR platform to make things easier.

If you're not yet set on a tool, you can check out the 5 best OKR tracking templates guide to find the best way to monitor progress during the quarter.

More Career OKR templates

We have more templates to help you draft your team goals and OKRs.

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