How to Make a Career Plan Using an 8-Step System

Career planning might sound daunting, even overwhelming. But trust us, you’re actually in the driver’s seat of where your life is headed!

A well-thought out career path can be the key to living a purposeful and fulfilling working life. It’s all about having clear goals and objectives mapped out, providing direction for those looking to embark on an exciting new journey!

That’s why we created this step-by-step guide to help you create your dream career plan–no matter what profession or job field you choose. Keep reading to learn how to take control of your future, and get started on making that game plan today!

Everything You Need to Know About Career Plans

You can click on these links below to jump on a specific section:

What Is a Career Plan?

A career plan is a specific plan that outlines your strengths, interests, and goals relating to your career. It’s a great professional tool that allows you to determine the best strategy in achieving your short- and long-term career goals.

Career planning isn’t stagnant. It’ll naturally evolve as you learn about yourself. Think of a career plan as a guide that you’ll keep referring back to as you progress in your career.

Why Have a Career Plan?

A career plan is a useful decision-making tool. Choosing between multiple careers or volunteer opportunities can be overwhelming because there are so many factors to consider. A career plan breaks all of those factors down for you.

It’s also really handy to have when you’re applying for a new job. Most people run out of things to say in their resume and application cover letters. But if you have a career plan ready, it’ll be easier to articulate why you’re a good fit for certain jobs.

You can also bring your career plan when you’re interviewing for a position. It shows your potential employers that you’re committed to professional growth.

When Do You Need a Career Plan?

The earlier you have a career plan, the better. But it’s also NEVER too late.

Most people start planning about their career paths in high school, but so much can change in those early years.

There are certain junctures when a career plan is especially useful. Here are a few examples:

While You’re in School/Training

You may not be in the job market yet, but you can already start developing new skills that’ll be useful later on. Don’t wait until you’re in your senior year of high school or college before you start thinking about the future. School is a great venue to explore and narrow down your career interests.

At the Start of Your Career

Try to have a career plan before you land your first job. That way, you’ll avoid choosing a job that won’t contribute to your goals.

When You Want a Change

Whether you’re career-hopping or moving up in the same field, it’s important to have a plan. A career plan will help you make sure that your next job is the right fit for you.

When All You Have Is a Goal

Some people know what they want, but they don’t know how to get there. Drafting a career plan can help you map out the steps to take, so you don’t end up spinning your wheels.

Who Should Create Your Career Plan?

Don’t outsource your career plan! You’re the foremost expert on yourself, so you should be the primary author of your plan.

This doesn’t mean that you won’t have advisors. On the contrary, developing an effective career plan often involves consulting mentors and other professionals.

How Do You Develop a Career Plan?

Now that you know what a career plan is and why it’s important to have one, here’s an 8-step system that’ll help you whip one up!

Step 1: Clarify Your Values

The first step in creating your career plan involves a lot of self-reflection and self-assessment. The first thing you need to figure out is your non-negotiables.

Are there any personal values that you aren’t willing to compromise? Or are there non-career goals that are important to you? What are your intrinsic motivations for working? Answering these questions alone can help you clarify the vision you have for your career.

For example, some people are putting a premium on work-life balance. Unfortunately, certain fields make it extra challenging to accomplish this.

Step 2: List Down Your Skills and Experience

Once you have a knowledge of your non-negotiables, spend time to figure out what you have working for you. You can break down your natural talents and skills into two categories:

- Soft skills: These refer to non-technical skills, but they allow you to be more productive and effective. Good communication skills, flexibility, and problem-solving skills are examples of desirable soft skills.
- Hard skills: These refer to skills that are measurable and teachable. They often require some form of training. Examples of hard skills include computer programming, graphic design, and data analysis skills.

Apart from your skills, it’s also important to list down your experience. You may want to start by listing down the different industries you’ve worked in before you list down your previous roles/positions.

Step 3: Identify Your Interests

There’s some truth to the popular career quote, “If you love what you do, you’ll never work a day in your life.” If you want a sustainable and rewarding career, it has to match both your skills and interest.

Just because you’re good at something, it doesn’t mean you’ll find it satisfying and fulfilling. So take some time to list down your personal preferences.

Ask yourself:

- What activities make you come alive?
- What tasks do you find highly engaging and enjoyable?
- What responsibilities bring out the best in you?
- What projects excite you?

This’ll help you narrow down the career fields you may want to pursue.

Step 4: Gather Information on Field of Interest

A good chunk of career exploration involves knowing yourself. Once you have that sorted out though, it’s time to roll up your sleeves and do research.

Take some time and do real research about your fields of interest. Try not to rely on superficial or stereotypical information.

It’s better to get first-hand information. If you have friends who have some work experience in that field, start talking to them. Conduct informational interviews to learn more about the field. Ask questions to find out what it’s like on a day-to-day basis.

This is also where a career counselor or career advisor might be helpful. They can give you a clear and realistic picture of the current situation.

You may also join professional associations and organizations. If you can, attend events and seminars. This is an excellent way to meet professionals in your field of interest.

Step 5: Consider Other Important Factors

You can have all the extra time in the world, but if your energy levels are low, you probably won’t get a lot done. That’s why it’s so important to make your physical health and energy stores your priorities.

Apart from physical energy, you also need to review other non-career related factors. For instance, how much importance do you place on working remotely? Are you willing to switch cities or relocate if it means getting a better job? Knowing these factors will help narrow down your job search even further.

These may not matter as much early on in your career, but it’s important to have a long-term outlook. Remember, you can’t take back the time you invest in your career.

Step 6: Make a Choice

Now that you’ve laid down all of the personal, technical, and real-world factors, you can start narrowing down your career options. With everything you’ve learned, try to answer the following questions:

- Does the salary grade matter to you?
- Will it require you to move?
- Do you want a flexible work schedule?
- How will a particular career impact important relationships in your life?

If you’re in the early stages of your career, it isn’t uncommon to have multiple options. You still have a lot of wiggle room to learn more soft and hard skills. Remember though, when it comes to settling on a particular career path, there’s no right or wrong answer.

Step 7: Set Goals and a Timeframe

Once you’ve identified your dream job, you make a career action plan and map out your course. Your career plan should have clearly stated long-term goals, which refer to goals that’ll take you 10-15 years to achieve.

They can be further broken down into short-term and mid-term goals. Short-term goals are those that you can achieve within a year, while mid-term goals are achievable within 2-5 years.

Make sure you come up with SMART goals. SMART goals are goals that are:

- Specific: Your goals need to be clear. For example, “get a promotion” is more specific than “be successful”.
- Measurable: Your goals need to include well-defined milestones. That way, you can easily tell if you’re on the right track.
- Attainable: Your goals need to be realistic. Otherwise, you might get frustrated and burned out.
- Relevant: Being busy doesn’t necessarily mean you’re progressing in your career. Make sure your goals contribute to your long-term goals.
- Time-bound: Having a realistic timeframe can help keep you motivated. It also gives you a sense of urgency you wouldn’t have if things were more open-ended.

Once you have your goals, you can come up with clear action plans to meet these goals.

Step 8: Write Everything Down

Make sure you write down your career plan so you don’t forget! Here’s a simple outline you can follow:

- Overview of your values and interest
- Summary of soft and hard skills (including certifications and education)
- Summary of work experience
- Long-term goals
- Mid-term goals
- Short-term goals
- Action plan (including any training or professional development you might need)

Once you’ve documented your plan, it’s time to act on it! Remember to regularly revisit your plan each time you reach a milestone.

Final Thoughts

Choosing a career and staying on track can be difficult. But with the right mindset and a comprehensive action plan, you can make sure that your time and energy are spent productively.

By understanding your values, interests, and skills, you’ll have a better idea of what you want out of a career. And by writing down your goals, you’ll have a clear path to success. With all of this in mind, it’s time for you to make your dreams happen!

If you’re looking for a job that can offer you the flexibility and lifestyle that suits your personal needs, visit The Virtual Hub today! We have a wide range of roles and opportunities that are perfect for you! So what are you waiting for? Get started on your journey to success today!

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