If one wants to build a successful career, it is crucial to invest time in it. It is called a career development plan, and it will turn out to be of great help when you try to craft a winning resume, send out applications, and aim to land a job you want. A well-developed career development plan will enlighten your key skills and how you can hone them and move your life forward. Let’s define what it is and how it will help you.
What is a career development plan?
It is a process of creating your professional life. A career development plan lays out your strategy of climbing the ladder, improving your resume, and reaching new accomplishments steadily and intentionally. People create a career development plan to manage and have more control of their education, work, and personal life and achieve their goals in this realm. For example, you can create your personal brand as an expert to impress possible recruiters with the help of a professional LinkedIn resume service at resumeservice24.com at any time. It will enhance your image among other job seekers in the labor market.
Steps in creating a career development plan
A career plan is not the decision one has to make at a certain time, like choosing a university or profession. This plan starts at any point a person is in their life to map the future steps with what one has. So, feel free not to wait for a perfect moment to invest in your career and create one.
#1 Find your genuine interests
The plan will work best and give fulfilling results when you are interested in what you do. So, take some time to figure that out and put it in the center of your plan, whether you are choosing a profession, looking to get more interviews for a new career path, or speculating on changing the entire field of work. Think about a career as an extension of your interests and needs, and plan to steadily improve your living and working conditions.
When you have determined your interests, estimate how your skills and knowledge relate to them. Usually, it is where one finds growth opportunities.
#2 Set up your goals
When the field of interest is determined, it is easier to set up realistic goals within it. Here, think of the professional position you want to take, the business you will enjoy doing, or even the amount of money you want to make. Naturally, one’s goal-setting must be based on their aspirations and priorities. Be sure to be as detailed as you go. The more elements of the goal are there, the more ways there are to be found to achieve them.
#3 Make an assessment of your position so far
Taking into account your interests and goals, assess your position towards the goals at the present moment.
- Does your position in the present moment relate to your goals?
- Do you need to change it or just adjust the goals?
- Do you have the skills required to achieve the goals?
- What do you need to learn based on your interests and goals?
Answering such questions sincerely will help you define the future steps in your plan on your way to your professional growth.
#4 Make your goals flexible
To be able to reach them, one must set realistic and measurable goals. While setting the goals, make sure you will be able to define the moment when it is reached and measure the success. Avoid abstract goal setting, as it can lead to frustration. A flexible goal means you can adjust it when it is achieved to move even further in your progress. So, setting flexible goals means you will have a plan in case the goal is achieved or fails. For example, in the case of a failure situation, you can aim to land an interview as a plan B.
#5 Assess what obstacles you have
Look up the list of questions about your current positions in life. If there are negative answers, they will hint at the obstacles on your way to your goals. For example, if you aim at changing or going for an occupation, your obstacle will be a lack of qualification. It is solved by taking up a new course or finding an online job to gain experience. If you just need to apply for a new job, use the help of professional cover letter writing services that will make the job search in your field easier.
#6 Write down the steps
Based on your interests, goals, current skills, and obstacles, write down the steps you will take to beat the obstacles. It can look like choosing a new online course, reading some books about your profession, as well as planning your educational and developmental budget. Just like with setting goals, be as precise as possible. It will make steps look less overwhelming and more achievable.
If it is possible, make time frames for every step. For example, plan to send job applications for two months and set a deadline for starting your hiring process.
Important:
If you want to make this plan effective, set the milestones of your professional growth. Use career resources to improve your skills, keep track of the things you learn and apply in your work, and estimate your career by the times your position takes a higher rank. Again, milestones, just like goals, must be defined by your priorities.