How can you use career path planning to identify new opportunities?

2 How to explore your options

Exploring your options and identifying your preferences is the first step in career path planning. Ask yourself questions like: what are your core values, interests, and passions? What are your skills, talents, and achievements? What are your career goals and aspirations? What are the current and emerging trends and opportunities in your field or industry? And what are the requirements and expectations for your desired roles or positions? You can use various tools and resources to research your options such as career assessments and tests, career guides and profiles, career mentors and coaches, as well as career networks and communities. These tools include personality, aptitude, or interest inventories; occupational outlooks, job descriptions, or salary surveys; experienced professionals, peers, or advisors; professional associations, alumni groups, or online platforms.

3 How to assess your strengths and gaps

The next step in career path planning is to assess your strengths and gaps, and compare them with your options and preferences. You can use a SWOT analysis (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats) to evaluate your current situation and identify your areas of improvement. You can also use a skills audit or a competency framework to measure your level of proficiency and performance in your relevant skills and competencies. You can also solicit feedback from others, such as your managers, colleagues, clients, or mentors, to gain a more objective and comprehensive perspective on your strengths and gaps.

4 How to create an action plan

In the final step of career path planning, it's important to create an action plan that outlines your specific and realistic steps to achieve your goals. This plan should include short-term and long-term goals with clear and measurable outcomes and deadlines, as well as strategies and tactics with detailed and feasible actions and resources. Additionally, it should include indicators and criteria with regular and consistent methods and tools to monitor and evaluate progress. Contingencies and alternatives should also be included with flexible and adaptable options for potential challenges or risks. Finally, the plan should reflect your personal values, interests, priorities, and align with current or desired organizational culture.

5 How to implement and revise your plan

Career path planning is not a one-time event, but an ongoing and dynamic process that requires commitment and effort. To ensure successful implementation and revision of your plan, you should communicate your goals to stakeholders such as managers, colleagues, mentors, or sponsors to gain their support and guidance. Additionally, executing your plan and actions with focus, discipline, and enthusiasm is essential. It is also important to review and adjust your plan periodically in response to feedback, results, and changes. Finally, seeking new opportunities and challenges to expand your skills, knowledge, and network will help you update your plan accordingly. With these steps in mind, you can create a career path that suits your needs and aspirations.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?