Career development: do you plan for the future?

One exciting thing about a career is that it can often feel as if a million possibilities are out there. However, that can also make the idea of making a career development plan a little daunting. With so many directions to go, finding the right path may seem impossible. It’s best to start with an objective. Then, you can craft a plan that will guide you to career success.

In this blog, we’ll look at:

• 3 reasons why having a career development plan is important

• What are the 6 stages of career development?

• Tips for preparing for the future

3 reasons why having a career development plan is important

A career development plan can enhance your professional success and ability to grow in numerous ways. An effective one can help you advance within your industry, increase your salary and benefits, and make your work-life balance more enjoyable.

Ultimately, there’s a world of opportunities out there for you once you create a plan for success. Here are three reasons why you should consider investing your time into creating a development plan for your career:

1. Clarity and direction. Sometimes, reaching a goal can take time. However, you can reach it a little faster and with more enthusiasm when you know where you are going and what your aspirations are. Having a career plan also means knowing exactly what steps to take to reach your long-term objectives.

2. Personal and professional growth. Part of developing a career plan is identifying  your strengths, weaknesses, and values. That means you now have the tools to begin both a personal and a professional transformation. You’ll be able to set goals in your career and your personal life because you have the self-awareness to make informed decisions about your career path.

3. Skill enhancement. Since you will be more attuned to your current skills, you’ll also have the opportunity to expand them. You’ll know what skills you lack and can then seek out opportunities to develop them further. This makes you adaptable and resilient because you will always be able to adjust yourself based on the rapidly changing job market, industry trends, technological advancements, and emerging opportunities.

6 stages of creating a career development plan

Having a vision for your career and setting goals is just one part of the overall career development plan. The stages you will find below can help you navigate through the entire process of creating a plan that works with your current career goals and drives you into the future. 

The six stages consist of:

1. Self-assessment

Every good career development plan starts with a self-assessment. Consider your strengths and weaknesses and make a list of your experience and skills. You should also identify your abilities and tasks you excel at or enjoy. On the flip side, take into account your weaknesses and areas for improvement.

During this process, think about your personality traits and what you’re passionate about. You might even want to consider getting feedback from those you know well, such as your colleagues and mentors. Once you’ve gathered this information, you can then set your career goals and write an objective.

2. Research your options

Once you know where you want to take your career, research your options. Explore the career industries and roles that align with your interests, objectives, and goals. Also, the career paths should match your current skill set while still allowing you to grow.

This is another stage where you can benefit by working with a mentor and networking with others in the industry you are considering. If you are new to this path, internships and volunteer opportunities can help you gain hands-on experience. Then, you can assess your goals and ensure they are still a good fit for you.

3. Skills growth opportunities

It isn’t enough just to know what skills you have and what you need to work on now. You’ll also need to consider the skills you need for the future. Your skills should always be growing and adapting, which means you need a plan to continue learning.

During this phase of writing your career development plan, decide what skills you will need to keep you on your chosen career path and make a plan for developing them. Sometimes, formal education will be needed while other skills you can learn and develop on your own. Having a plan to develop these skills will ensure you are always prepared for the future.

4. Getting to work

Action planning is also an important stage. Break your goals down into long-term and short-term goals. Then, you can break them down even further into more manageable tasks and milestones. 

Set priorities and deadlines for your small goals so that you stay motivated and accountable. Identify the resources you plan to use and set aside time daily to work on your goals. Monitor your progress, making adjustments as needed. Celebrate your achievements so you stay excited about the future.

5. Track everything

Sometimes it’s difficult to see your results when you aren’t keeping track of what you’re doing. To help with this, be sure to track your progress. This could be as simple as making notes in a notebook or as complicated as using a sophisticated app. 

The important thing to remember is that you will be more successful when you can see your progress. So, use a tracking method that works for your situation. The goal is to keep yourself motivated, so don’t be afraid to think outside the box.

6. Make adjustments

As mentioned, a career development plan will always change as you grow in your career. Once you have a plan in place, regularly assess how things are going and adjust it every time you reach one of your goals.

No matter where you are in your career, a career development plan is important. However, this plan is not one you create and forget about. Instead, update it as you progress in your career.

Tips for preparing for the future

Creating a career development plan ultimately helps us to prepare for the future. Your goal should be to set yourself up for becoming the happiest version of yourself. 

Combine these tips with your career plan to be more successful:

• Commit to lifelong learning. Possessing a mindset that is focused on lifelong learning keeps you ready for growth in the future.

• Adapt to changes. Stay flexible as you travel your career path. A career development plan should be fluid and able to adapt to changing markets and interests.

• Network via associates. Stay in touch with your mentors and those who have helped you build your career so far.

• Maintain balance. Your life shouldn’t only be about work. Make time to enjoy your life and practice self-care.

At Career.io, we want to make the career development planning process as simple as possible. Our career pathways tool can help you learn more about your options!

Key takeaways

1. A career development plan helps you clarify your goals and the direction you want to take now and in the future.

2. Start your plan with an assessment that covers your strengths, weaknesses, and values so you can make informed decisions about your career path.

3. A career development plan will change and adapt as your career progresses, so you should remain adaptable and ready to make changes.