Career Planning Guide for Professional Success

When you plan your career, you make a plan to strategically work toward your career goals. This can expedite your career advancement and possibly increase the satisfaction you get from your job. Having a defined career plan will make it easier to plot moves that will help you work toward your dream job. Here we provide actionable tips to help guide your career planning process.

Here are 12 career planning strategies you can use to actualize your professional aspirations:

1. Research potential career paths

Before you create a career plan, you’ll want to choose a career or field to pursue. To choose a career path or paths, first consider seeking out self-assessments to know your interests. Then, select a career or field that matches your interests and strengths.

Rather than limiting yourself to one career, consider narrowing your search to a group of related careers or a specific field to give yourself more options for changing careers or advancing in your industry.

2. Assess your skills and experience

Your self-assessment should also include an honest analysis of your skills and industry experience. When listing your skills, separate them into ‘hard skills’ and ‘soft skills’.

Hard skills are abilities that you gain through education and enhance through repetition. You need hard skills in the workplace to execute tasks and do your job. Examples of hard skills are:

• Project management
• Accounting
• Software programming

On the other hand, soft skills are character traits and interpersonal skills that help you fit into the workplace. Soft skills cannot be acquired through strict education, nor can they be measured. They complement your hard skills, which is why employers demand them. Examples include:

• Time management
• Analytical thinking
• Problem-solving

After assessing your skills, take time to assess your experience. Consider whether you have experience from past jobs that may be useful in your chosen career. Even if you have little professional experience, you are likely to have gained relevant experience while completing activities such as volunteering or interning.

After doing the above, research the actual skills and experience you’ll need in your chosen career path. Identify any gaps in your skills and experience that may hamper advancement in that career.

For example, if you want to be a software programmer, you’ll need experience in using coding languages like C++ or JavaScript. If you don’t have the skill or experience required in the industry, you’ll need to learn them to qualify for positions in the field and actualize your career objectives.

3. Identify necessary qualifications

The next step in planning your career is to know the academic and professional qualifications you need to work in your selected field. Some higher-level positions may require a postgraduate degree, like a master’s degree or doctorate. Take all these things into consideration when creating a career plan.

Also, consider if your field requires certain certifications and licenses. Professional bodies have periodic certification examinations for prospective professionals. Earning those certifications proves your skill and aptitude has undergone rigorous testing, which will boost your credibility and earning potential.

4. Evaluate your personal values

No two people have the same set of values; what you think is important may get little regard from another. It is important to select a career that aligns with your personal values so you can have a fulfilling experience.

Examples of personal values include:

• Financial independence
• Social impact
• Family

For instance, if you value family and time spent with them, you may not like a career that requires working on weekends and public holidays. Similarly, if you value financial independence, you’d want a dream job that pays well and allows you save for financial security.

5. Evaluate salary packages and benefits

It is important to consider the average salary for professionals in a field before you select it. Consider the lifestyle you want and make sure to choose a career with a salary that meets your needs.

Fortunately, evaluating median salaries for different professions is easy, thanks to online resources. The US Bureau of Labor often releases statistics, including average salaries, for different fields. Glassdoor also offers tools to analyze salaries for thousands of industries and job titles.

Also consider the typical benefits available in various job positions. Find out if your prospective field typically offers bonuses like healthcare insurance, paid sick leave, or vacation time. These benefits will help cut your expenses, increase your quality of life, and should be factored as a part of a salary package.

Know Your Worth: Get a free personalized salary estimate based on today’s job market

6. Decide which careers to focus on

After creating a list of careers you’re interested in. However, you can begin to narrow down your list. Compare career paths and pick what’s best for you.

In comparing career paths, consider the following factors:

• Earning potential
• Personal values
• Demand (for the field)
• Ease of entry

For instance, one job may have a higher earning potential, but may not match your personal values and vice versa. Decide whether you are willing to compromise on any factors to achieve the specific goals you have for others.

7. Update your resume regularly

One thing that will help you throughout your career journey is your resume. Your resume sells your services, and it may determine whether an employer hires you.

It is highly important to learn to write an attractive resume. Choose a resume layout that shows off your strengths so you are more likely to attract the attention of employers.

While writing a good resume is important, keeping it up-to-date is even more important. That way, you’re ready to apply to a job listing the moment you see it.

8. Research current trends in your field

The world is advancing, and new trends keep popping up in many fields. Twenty years ago, the public relations field was restricted to the mass media, e.g., television, radio, and newspapers. But, as social media has overtaken mainstream media, PR professionals must learn how to harness digital platforms to achieve client goals.

For example, data from Glassdoor Job Market Report shows that jobs for Job Editor roles has seen a 12% cumulative growth since 2016. Producer job positions have grown cumulatively by 7.1% in the same period. You can use this type of industry data to identify a profession or role with a potential for growth.

You can find similar examples in other fields from finance to healthcare to management. It is vital to stay on top of trends in your field to remain a competitive candidate.

Evaluating trends requires commitment and focus. Read trade publications and blogs. Listen to industry podcasts. Attend training and events and ask questions from thought leaders in your field. Do whatever you need to gain information to stay ahead.

9. Identify opportunities for continuous learning

The education and training you receive from institutions may not be enough if you wish to have a fulfilling career. You must invest in a self-education plan to gain new skills and knowledge that’ll help you advance in your career.

Consider taking courses, attending workshops, and buying books. By constantly educating yourself, you’ll increase your value, and become more likely to advance in your organization and field.

10. Take on more leadership opportunities

One way to raise your profile within your company or field is if you take on more roles. When you serve in different roles, your employer (or even prospective employer) will trust you to handle bigger assignments.

If the company is facing a problem, and you have a solution, approach the management and outline your solution. Once you spearhead the problem-solving effort and it’s successful, it becomes another achievement on your resume. Slowly, you’ll show yourself as a capable professional to the industry.

11. Use the SMART system to create career goals

A career plan can span years, if not decades, which is why you must set goals to track your progress. Avoid setting goals haphazardly; rather, use the SMART system. Here’s a breakdown of the SMART goal system:

• S (Specific) — Your goal must be clear and precise
• M (Measurable) — You must include benchmarks for measuring your progress
• A (Attainable) — Your goals must be realistic and achievable
• R (Relevant) — Your goals must be relevant to your career advancement
• T (Time-based) — You must have a timeframe for achieving your goals

12. Create an actionable career plan

The career plan serves as a map that guides the entirety of your professional journey. When creating the career plan, note down your SMART career goals and the steps you’ll need to achieve them. Always review your career plan and check off the goals you’ve achieved.