Career Planning Template
Successful careers don’t ‘just happen’. Sometimes it seems that some people get all the luck. They always seem to be in the right place at the right time. What we don’t see is how they found out what the right place was and how they got themselves there, so that when the opportunity came, they were the first in line. Career planning
Who was it who said ‘Luck is when opportunity meets with preparation’? We create our own ‘luck’. So as we begin a new year, let’s get on with it.
The process begins with getting at least a general idea of what work you’d enjoy doing and in which industry you’re interested. For some of us, it’s easier to list what we DON’T want to do.
If you haven’t been able to pinpoint your ideal career direction, don’t worry. That in itself can be a process of discovery, as you try different jobs, gathering valuable experience and skills along the way, until you narrow down the best fit for yourself.
Here are a few questions to get you started with your career planning:
• What are my goals for my working life?
• Does my work have to satisfy my personal needs?(eg need for variety, for security, for teamwork…)
• How committed am I? (or what am I prepared to sacrifice to get there?)
• What is the gap between where I am now and where I want to be?
• How would I feel if I didn’t accomplish those goals?
• Who are my best critics/advisers/mentors?
It’s like having a road map that takes you to your destination, even if you side-track along the way.
Once you have at least a general idea of where you’re headed, you need to have a realistic plan in place to get there. It’s like having a road map that takes you to your destination, even if you side-track along the way.
People who are successful in their careers consistently work on these aspects, revising them periodically, or just taking the next step on the plan, and then the next one after that.
Imagine I’ve employed you to do a casual job. How and when you do each aspect is up to you. I just want a progress report each month to let me know we’re well on our way towards the end-of-2013 deadline. Would you get rewarded for your efforts, or would I sack you for incompetence?
If we’re under contract, we are obliged to follow through. Once you make a personal contract for yourself, you’re more likely to commit to the success of your life.
I’ve attached a career development ‘contract’ for you to sign and work out how you’re going to make each of those eight tasks happen, step by step.
After you’ve signed the contract, make appointments with yourself and with others to take the next step. Review your progress monthly.
According to the Law of Attraction, you may well find that opportunities come swimming your way faster than you expect! At least you’ll be ready to open the door when opportunity comes knocking. I’m not going to wish you good luck, because you’ll be creating your own.
Download your personal career planning template word document here.
If you or someone you know would like a personal consultation, please call +61 439 969 081.
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