According to a 2014 Forbes article, “Most managers believe employees must take responsibility for their career development: 98% say workers should continually update and improve their skills, 85% say they should identify job opportunities and career paths, and 80% say they should be responsible for building their job-hunting and career-planning skills.”
With long-lasting employment becoming more and more a thing of the past, it’s important for all of us to keep constantly prepared when it comes to the possibility of a job or career change.
Do you have a current, up-to-date career management plan?
What even is a career management plan?
Typically, a plan will include a self-assessment section that will identify your strengths and goals, and your vision for the future. Next, you’ll outline your career goals, breaking them down into short term (1 year), mid-term (2-5 years), and long term (5 years) goals.
Next, you’ll set up a section that tracks and plans your professional development and experience activities. Think of it like a “curriculum” for how you see yourself growing and evolving as a professional in the months and years to come. What skills do you want to learn? What knowledge do you wish to gain? What experience do you wish to have? Write it down and keep track of it!
Finally, keep track of your resources. This is basically a spreadsheet where you keep track of all the individuals, organizations, professional networks, and career coaches that can help you work towards your goals.
You may think of a career coach as someone you only need when you get laid off, but the truth is a good career coach will help you think about your career like a chess master, planning and anticipating several moves ahead and helping you build flexibility and strength you need in today’s job market.
If you’d like help planning your career, get in touch with TalentBridge today, and we can set you up with an excellent Vitae Career Coach.