How and Why to Write a Career Development Plan

How and Why to Write a Career Development PlanHow and Why to Write a Career Development PlanSome people just wait for their career to happen to them. But you need to be proactive if you expect to achieve the results you really want. If youre motivated to move up the career ladder, it may be time to write a career development plan - a roadmap for yur growth and success.Creating a career development plancan pay off for both job seekers and those currently employed. Instead of merely thinking about what you want out of your professional life, consider taking these steps1. Define successCareer success means different things to different people. What achievements would you like your resume to show 20 years from now? Perhaps youd like to become the CFO at a nonprofit organization. Or maybe youd like to be an in-demand financial consultant who regularly speaks at conferences and has a few books published. Think big, and write down your aspirations.2. Identify goals and barriersOrganize you r to-do list into short- and long-term goals. For example, a promotion to manager may be a few years ahead of you, but leading a project team for the first time might be possible within the next few months.Sketch out a general timeline of goals, then identify any potential barriers. Pay particular attention to areas where you might need to build your skills in order to advance professionally. Perhaps your public speaking abilities are weak, or maybe you arent familiar with a certain type of software necessary for a stelle you desire.Not quite sure what might be preventing you from moving forward? Talk to your manager or a trusted mentor for advice.3. Start tackling potential obstaclesFor each obstacle on your career development list, write down the steps you need to take to move forward. That could mean enrolling in a training course or taking advantage of career development or mentorship programs offered by your company.Of course, knowing the steps you need to complete is only half the battle. Actually taking those steps is the other half. One way to motivate yourself is to set a deadline for taking action. Then - and heres the important part - tell someone your deadline. Ask that person to help hold you accountable for meeting the goal you set.4. Re-evaluate oftenIf theres one universal truth about career development plans, its that no matter how carefully you prepare, they rarely follow the exact course youve set. Our careers are as vulnerable to the unexpected as our lives. A job opportunity emerges at another company that you absolutely cant turn down. You decide to move halfway across the country. You start a family earlier than anticipated. Any number of factors could cause your career development plan to change course.The key here is to be flexible. Realize that your career development plan is just that a plan. Its not set in stone. Make a point of re-evaluating it regularly - say, every three to six months. Are the goals youve set still the ones yo u wish to work toward? Are the barriers you identified still applicable? What progress have you made in tackling those obstacles? By making adjustments as necessary, you can be sure youre always moving in the right direction.Whether youre a recent graduate or youve been in the workforce for many years, the best time to write a career development plan is now. By making an honest assessment of your skills and setting specific long- and short-term goals, youll soon be ready to put your plan into action.Have you written a career development plan? Share your experience in the comments.RELATED POST10 Great Career Resources You May Not Know About