How do you plan your career development and set SMART goals for your new job?

That is absolutely spot on! When hiring, we would like to know your current situation and goals to make sure it's a good fit for both the candidate and the employer. Knowing your strengths and weaknesses and how those can bring value to the position you are applying to can clarify why you are the right fit for the job. Being self-aware is a valuable skill and is essential in today's work environments.

A SWOT analysis is a great way to go. I went a step further and created a career planner that allows you to document your projects, project-outcomes and ideas. You can use this to extract additional areas of strengths and opportunities to better assess your career and unique performance playbook.

I have used the SWOT method for years when anyalysing a competitor in a sales situation. Using a SWOT for myself has made me realize that during this career transition I need to look at things differently. For an example, a threat is certifications and trainings I never did. So now I am concentrating on learning so that the new job market is not such a threat to me.

More important than a bunch of third-party standardized tests is to self-reflect. Sit down and write out your big accomplishments, challenges you've overcome, and the list of things of which you're most proud. Write down the things for which you've been recognized and awarded. Write down the things you enjoy, goals and interests, demands and wishes, hopes, fears, and things you've been avoiding. Inside all that, you'll find ample inspiring context for your next job, training, and new objectives and goals.

A SWOT analysis has been very helpful in understanding what my next career move will be. I’ve used this method when understanding the competition in my previous roles, using it to understand myself has been a game changer.

One thing I have found helpful is to create a spreadsheet to capture the type of jobs I’m looking for. This includes different fields, roles and organizations I’m interested in.

I totally agree that taking the initiative to explore future options for career development is invaluable. In my personal experience, networking with professionals in the industry not only provided me with valuable insights but also led to a referral that allowed me to land my new job. I suggest starting to network, study and practice new skills at least 3 to 6 months before you plan to change jobs. This proactive approach to career development will allow you to plan carefully and make the right choice based on a logical and well-thought plan.

All true and again, why I created the career accelerator planner. Professionals need to document their performance and ideas at work. This will help you figure out what you like, love and loath. Begin the venting process to figure out what career path is right for you.

Remember to celebrate your wins! Reviewing your plan and assessing what you have accomplished can give you the motivation you need to keep going. Discuss these achievements with your career coach. They are your biggest support.

When searching for a new employment opportunity, it's important to consider more than just the job description and salary. One of the key things to consider is the company's position around Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI). Before applying for a job, take some time to research the company's website and social media profiles. Do a quick Google search to see what kind of initiatives they have around EDI. When looking for work, it's about having a conversation with the company and finding the right type of culture that you can work in. The future of leadership and job satisfaction is about finding a place where you can feel that you belong.

The final advice is two-fold. 1. Be willing to change your plan as conditions and interests change. Don't stick with a plan you don't want, can't stand, or aren't winning, as long you can identify another, more worthy path. Of course, don't give up too soon. Our biggest regrets are the things we gave up, quit, or never tried. 2. Keep a long-range objective in mind and also shorter-range intermediate goals. The longer-range goal will inspire and direct you, while the shorter-range smart goals will demonstrate progress and provide frequent, motivating wins.

I love the concept of understanding your energising strengths and making sure you can talk about them. This is important at all stages including when considering what roles will be right for you. I am personally a big fan of Strengths Profile, but there are a range of other tools out there. There is a difference between the things we CAN do and the things we love doing, that energise us. And being in a role with more of the former can be extremely draining.