A career plan is a big step in progressing in the work area within an organisation and, although it is a project involving individual training, it is carried out in conjunction with the company. As well as proposals, dates and skills, you must consider where you are and where you would like to be in order to prioritise the things that are important for your career.
As you fulfil your objectives you need to assess your progress, since the development plan is a manual for guiding and supervising the evolution of skills, however it is also a great tool in increasing your commitment and your productivity. You will soon see how your self-esteem and your motivation are strengthened. A career plan is so important nowadays that many companies offer this option to their employees once they have become part of the company.
How to create a career plan
1. Have very clear desires: Think carefully about what you want your main challenge to be, the one which will allow you to feel fully developed as a professional. Set a realistic date to gradually achieve it, establish shorter-term challenges to continue to progress, evolve and to achieve what you have set out to do.
Aim for the proposals to be defined and achievable in a relatively short period of time. Give priority to those which you believe are going to help you to achieve your final goal and take into account your competences, skills, interests and talent.
2. Establish a time frame: Some challenges require a longer time frame and others a shorter one, whatever the case you should be able to determine them, and, above all, describe the challenges that you want to achieve each year in detail in order to make an annual plan during the necessary time frame.
3. Know yourself: You should be self-critical to know what working situation you are currently in, your knowledge, weaknesses and strengths, as well as the work position you are occupying. Analyse which tasks you could carry out once you occupy the work position to which you are aspiring. Think about which aspects of your career you like and which ones you would need to change to enjoy work more.
4. Find out about the tools available to you: You already know where you want to go, now it is important to find the specific measures that will help you to achieve this. Find out about the training plans offered by your company or search for the best way to acquire the knowledge that you will need in the future.
5. Review you career plan: At the end of the year you should analyse the desires and challenges that you have achieved to ensure that you are on the right track. It is a good idea to keep your career plan updated according to the circumstances or promotions that arise along the way.
What is the role of the company?
You must bear in mind that managing a career plan is shared between companies and employees. The company is not the only one responsible for its development, but it does take on an important role. A professional career plan is a key factor in the participation and satisfaction of the collaborators, and so the company should carry out studies and take responsibility for implementing the process. It should also provide resources, offer training and guarantee transparency with its employees.
Lastly, it is necessary for every employee to have their own career plan within the company; it should be unique and personalised, to have the opportunity to grow positively within the organisation so it can take advantage of their talent.
At Claire Joster we can help you to find work at a company that will help you to develop your perfect career plan. Discover our professional career opportunities.