What steps can you take to create a career plan based on research and exploration?

1 Assess yourself

The first step in creating a career plan is to assess yourself and your current situation. You can use various tools and methods, such as self-assessment tests, personality inventories, skills audits, feedback from others, and reflection exercises, to gain insights into your personal and professional attributes. You can also identify your achievements, values, motivations, preferences, and areas for improvement. By assessing yourself, you can clarify what you want and what you can offer in your career.

2 Explore options

The next step in creating a career plan is to explore the options and possibilities that are available and relevant to you. You can use various sources of information, such as online databases, websites, blogs, podcasts, newsletters, books, journals, and reports, to research different occupations, industries, sectors, and employers. You can also use networking, informational interviews, mentoring, job shadowing, volunteering, internships, and courses, to gain first-hand experience and knowledge of different roles and environments. By exploring options, you can discover what you like and what you don't like, what you are good at and what you need to improve, and what opportunities and challenges exist in your field of interest.

3 Set goals

The third step in creating a career plan is to set realistic and specific goals that reflect your vision and direction for your career. You can use the SMART framework (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound) to define your short-term and long-term goals and the actions and resources you need to achieve them. You can also use the SWOT analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) to assess your internal and external factors that can affect your goals. By setting goals, you can create a roadmap for your career development and progress.

4 Implement actions

The fourth step in creating a career plan is to implement the actions and strategies that you have identified to reach your goals. You can use various tools and techniques, such as action plans, checklists, calendars, reminders, trackers, and portfolios, to organize and monitor your tasks and outcomes. You can also use feedback, evaluation, and review mechanisms, such as appraisals, surveys, tests, and self-reflection, to measure and improve your performance and results. By implementing actions, you can demonstrate your commitment and competence in your career.

5 Seek support

The fifth step in creating a career plan is to seek support and guidance from others who can help you with your career development and growth. You can use various sources of support, such as mentors, coaches, counselors, advisors, peers, colleagues, managers, and professional associations, to access advice, feedback, information, resources, opportunities, and networks. You can also use communication, collaboration, and negotiation skills, to build and maintain positive and productive relationships with your supporters. By seeking support, you can enhance your confidence and resilience in your career.

6 Review and update

The sixth step in creating a career plan is to review and update your plan regularly and whenever there are significant changes in your situation or environment. You can use various methods and criteria, such as self-assessment, feedback, achievements, challenges, satisfaction, and alignment, to evaluate your progress and satisfaction with your career plan. You can also use research, exploration, learning, and adaptation skills, to identify new trends, opportunities, and needs in your field and yourself. By reviewing and updating your plan, you can ensure that your career plan remains relevant and responsive to your changing goals and circumstances.

7 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?