According to a Harvard expert, individuals who commit this frequent error tend to be the "least content with their professional lives."

Achieving a longtime career goal, such as earning a six-figure salary or receiving a significant promotion, may seem like the key to complete satisfaction at work. However, it's possible that you could still feel unfulfilled, empty, or bored even after reaching this objective.

Joseph Fuller, a Harvard Business School professor and co-chair of the school's "Managing the Future of Work" initiative, tells CNBC Make It that our careers rarely meet all of our expectations.

Pursuing professional goals with unrealistic expectations that a raise or job change will solve all problems or be exactly as imagined could lead to failure, Fuller advises.

Not being truthful about your work priorities and the sacrifices you're willing to make can lead to burnout and unhappiness in your career, according to him.

Fuller, who also hosts the podcast "Managing the Future of Work," advises his students to prioritize their career objectives and be honest with themselves about what they're willing to give up to achieve them.

If you value having weekends free and maintaining a healthy work-life balance, you may not want to accept a job that requires 80-100 hour workweeks, even if it offers a high salary or a prestigious title.

Finding a job that meets all your requirements is impossible, but you can find one that aligns with your top priorities and tolerable trade-offs before accepting an offer.

According to Fuller, evaluating a company's culture during an interview involves inquiring about the company's support for employees' professional growth, feedback mechanisms, and response to challenges, among other topics.

Having a job that gives you a sense of control and makes you excited about the work you're doing can help you stay motivated and prevent burnout, Fuller notes.

To achieve career satisfaction, you can incorporate your core values into your daily tasks. Fuller suggests pitching your boss a side project, organizing more office socials, or volunteering to lead a weekly meeting based on what you value most.

"Whether it's earning six figures or changing the world, you want to work for an organization whose objectives align with your own goals and ambition," says Fuller.

To secure your dream job in 2024, enroll in CNBC's online course "How to Ace Your Job Interview." This course will teach you what hiring managers truly want, effective body language techniques, how to handle difficult questions, and the best way to discuss compensation. Use the discount code "NEWGRAD" to receive 50% off from May 1, 2024, to June 30, 2024.

Sign up for CNBC Make It's newsletter to receive tips and tricks for success at work, with money and in life.