11 Tips for Successful Career Planning

Career Planning shouldn’t be done only when you’re in high school or college. We can’t just leave it behind as we move forward on our careers. We have to plan our career on a regular basis. According to recent survey, an average worker is expected to shift careers multiple times in a lifetime. Thus, it’s never too soon or too late to start planning your career.

What is career planning? Basically it’s an activity wherein you provide goals to achieve in your current or future career, or while beginning a transition.

To have a successful career planning, here are 10 tips you should follow.

1. Take a look at your pastimes and hobbies

You should also take time to examine the activities you like to do when you’re not working. Your hobbies and leisurely pursuits can give you great insight into future career paths.

Most people make a career out of their hobbies. It’s usually the thing they love the most. An example is the great painter Paul Gauguin, who’s a successful businessman who just loved to paint on the side. He was encouraged by an artist to pursue his hobbies and change careers eventually. He did well in business, but he loved painting.

2. Note past accomplishments

When doing your resume, you should always take note of your accomplishments. So when it’s time to search for a new job, you won’t run out of points to exhibit. Reviewing your past accomplishments can trigger a career shift you’ve been planning. It will allow you to accomplish types of things that make you most happy and proud.

3. Trace your path ’til the last career planning

Spend time mapping out your job or career path. Do it from the last time you did any sort of career planning. Don’t dwell on your past but review and reflect on the path you want to take. It will help you plan for the future. Why does it look like the way it does? Are you happy with your path? What could you have done differently?

4. Likes and Dislikes, Needs and Wants

Change is constant. Everybody changes, as do our likes and dislikes. Something we loved doing two years ago may now give us displeasure. Always take time to reflect on the things in your life — not just in your job — that you feel most strongly about.

Make a list of your likes and dislikes, needs and wants. Reflect on your current path and career path. If your job and career fall under “LIKE”, you know that you are still on the right path.

Take time to understand the motives that drive your sense of success and happiness.

5. Plan your career annually

Schedule a break every year or often if you feel the need for career change. Block out all distractions so you have time to focus on your career. This way, you will feel more secure in your career choice and direction. You’ll be better prepared for uncertainties and difficulties that lie ahead.

6. Look for transferable skills

Sometimes you’ll get so wrapped up in job titles that you don’t see any other career possibilities. This is not good. You should have certain set of skills. Categorize yourself in terms of these skill sets than become too focused just on job titles.

A job seeker trying to accomplish career planning found herself stuck because she identified herself as reporter. But right after she looked at her skills, she saw that she has transferable skills such as writing, editing, researching and investigating. These skills could easily be applied to a wide variety of jobs in many different careers.

7. Research further career job opportunities

Picturing yourself in the future is an effective way to plan your career. Where will you be in a year? In five years? There are key components to develop multiple scenarios.Do not be afraid to look beyond to other possible careers.

8. Set Career and Job Goals

After developing a road map for your job and career success, ask yourself this question. Can you be successful in your career without setting goals? Yes. Truth is you can even be more successful if you set goals.

Set short term and long term goals. Adjust those goals as your career plans progress or change. You should develop new goals once you accomplish your previous goals.

9. Never stop learning

Information always lead to power and success. Don’t miss chances to learn and grow more as a person and as a worker. You should go beyond passive acceptance of training opportunities to finding new ones that will help enhance or further your career.

Reflect on which types of educational experiences will help you achieve your career goals. Find potential career-enhancing opportunities — and then find a way achieve them.

10. Review Career and Job Trends

Even if your career is sinking, make sure you have excellent skills and you should know how to market yourself. With this, you can find a new job. Having information about career trends is vital to long-term career planning success.

Remember that your career path could be booming today, but tomorrow it may shrink. You should be able to see where job growth is expected especially in your career field. Besides having knowledge of these trends, you can also have the power to adjust and strengthen your position. You must have unique set of skills and education to make you better than all others in your career.

11. Have regular check-ups

Any health-conscious individual knows that the best route to long-term health is to have regular check-ups with their doctor. There is no reason why your career planning should be any different. Take a day or even a weekend once a year to sit down without distractions to focus on your life and getting the most out of your career. By making career planning an annual event, you’ll be able to keep track of where your career is going and also avoid any foreseeable derailments.

Do you know any other tips to successfully plan your career? Share them in the comments below.

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Comments (2)

I like it i will follow this instructions
By Najir rain (Sep, 2019) | Reply

Awesome article sir it helped a lot to choose the correct field and plan my career ?
By Kiara (Sep, 2018) | Reply