Job Advancement

Developing a career development plan helps us to reach our career goals and develop our potential. Although it requires conscious effort to develop the plan, it gives us the clarity and direction of where we want to go, and how to get there.

Identify your current position: The beginning of a career development plan starts by knowing where we are now in our career. This helps us to identify our strengths and weaknesses, our preferences and our priorities. Is money more important now? Or family? Or health? Asking ourselves some questions that help us to think of what matters more would be a good start.

Start with your values: Ask yourself these basic questions about your personality, tastes, and values to figure out what you want to achieve - and if you're on the right track or if you need to change gears: What inspires me and what do I want to do? What are my own characteristics and priorities in life? What are my strengths and weaknesses in the eyes of my family and friends? What are the five most crucial factors or non-negotiables in a job for me?

Evaluate your skills: Your existing skills, in addition to your own preferences, are an important indicator of the career direction in which you could go. Consider the following questions as you consider your skillset: What are my qualifications and experience? What are my most valuable assets, transferable skills, and technical abilities? What are my most significant achievements to date? What are my weaknesses and areas for improvement?

Decide on your career direction: You can now start to generate ideas for the kind of position and industries that aligns with your current career goals based on your values, main interest, traits, talents, and experience. Consider the following: The industry or business you’re interested in. The kind of roles that appeal to you and how they align with your personal preferences. Skills that need to be developed or improved.

Set clear career goals: It's time to create some goals now that you know where you want to go. To help you break down your career goals into smaller, more achievable milestones, ask yourself the following questions: What do I want to accomplish in the following six, twelve, and eighteen months? When and how will I complete my training and education objectives? How and when will I gain the necessary skills and experience?

Review your career plan regularly: You now have a clearer path on which to focus once you've identified your career goals and how to achieve them. It's critical to check in on your career plan at least once a quarter to make sure you're on track to reach your objectives. Revising or re-evaluating your career plan is crucial to stay on track and adjust them, depending on changing economic and personal circumstances.