How to Create and Use a Career Plan

Why do you need a career plan?

Whether you’re just taking the first steps in your career or are already established in your field, a well-developed career plan can give you clarity on your next steps and ensure you’re making informed decisions about your future. Your career plan will help you focus, but it’s not just about the end result – the process of developing your career plan should cause you to reflect on what you want from your professional life and how you can achieve your goals.

How to start career planning

You may already have an end goal in mind. For example, you might want to work for a specific organisation, or in a particular role, or be earning a certain amount of money. But don’t worry if you haven’t got an end goal yet – we’ll get to that in a moment. First, reflect on your abilities and interests. What are you good at? What do you enjoy doing? What do you find fulfilling in your current and past jobs? Consider asking managers, colleagues, friends, and family for their opinions too; a thorough assessment of your strengths and experiences may lead you to career options you hadn’t previously considered.

Picking your destination

Now you’ve given some thought to your strengths and interests, it’s time to think about your preferred career. Research career paths and industries that align with your passions and abilities, and reach out to people with experience in the kind of work you want to do – first-hand knowledge will be invaluable in helping you focus on your preferred options.

Setting goals and taking action

We recommend using the SMART framework to set your goals, which means they should be:

• Specific – make sure your goals are precisely defined.
• Measurable – be able to assess and quantify your progress objectively. For example, you might set out to achieve a particular qualification by a specific date, or to apply for a certain number of jobs in your area of interest.
• Attainable – ensure that your goals are realistically achievable.
• Relevant – your career goals should be ones that matter. Consider how significant each goal is and whether it will support your development.
• Time-based – each of your career goals should have a deadline.

Once your goals are in place, it’s time to think about how to achieve them. Who do you need to speak to about your organisation’s mentorship program? Who should you write to in order to secure that internship? What skills do you need to develop to get that promotion? Once you’ve figured this out, you’re ready to take your first steps.

Monitoring and adjusting your plan

The most successful plans are those that are flexible enough to accommodate changes in circumstances, and your career plan is no exception. Life has a habit of surprising us, so it’s a good idea to return to your plan regularly and reassess it. Do your goals still feel achievable within the timelines you’ve set? Have your interests changed since you last looked at your plan? Your career plan should support your development, so if meeting your goals is beginning to feel like a tall order, it’s time to adjust the plan.

The time and effort you put into your career plan is effectively an investment in your professional development. Reflecting on your abilities and interests, researching your options, setting goals, and taking action will help guide you to a career path that you find fulfilling and rewarding.

If you’d like advice on developing your career plan and your next steps, or want to learn about salary expectations and grab insights into the world of work download our salary guide today.

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