Can you give us your thoughts as to what is the most effective way to develop a career plan.
The most effective method and the one we use in college classes is the following:
> Start with writing a Job Description of the current position you are in. If you are starting off in a career, write a job description of the job you will have when you first start working. Use all available reference material to write this description. Consult your local library when you write this description. Concentrate on the knowledge, skills and abilities needed for this job. If you are already in this job, hopefully the needed knowledge, skills and abilities are those that you currently possess. This gives you an idea of your current strengths and weaknesses.
> Now project yourself five years from now and determine what job you will hold at that time. Write a job description of that position. Again concentrate on the knowledge, skills and abilities required for that position. Use all relevant reference material and consult others. And now you are ready to Analyze what you need to get there. You have all the data to analyze the gaps in the skills, knowledge and abilities.
> At this time you should start creating a concrete plan to get there i.e. how you are going to fill the KSA gaps. You need to analyze what training, experiences and additional education you will need to land the job you envision, getting ten years from now. You should also analyze what other life dimension impediments might exist to prevent you from getting there. If your spouse or would be partner is in the picture, you have to put that person’s Life Interests into your equation. You also need to consider your other life interests outside of work - family, community and health. Take these into consideration in doing your "filling the gap" exercise. You need to decide what is important to you and how you are going to merge your various life dimensions into an effective lifestyle.The most effective method and the one we use in college classes is the following:
> Start with writing a Job Description of the current position you are in. If you are starting off in a career, write a job description of the job you will have when you first start working. Use all available reference material to write this description. Consult your local library when you write this description. Concentrate on the knowledge, skills and abilities needed for this job. If you are already in this job, hopefully the needed knowledge, skills and abilities are those that you currently possess. This gives you an idea of your current strengths and weaknesses.
> Now project yourself five years from now and determine what job you will hold at that time. Write a job description of that position. Again concentrate on the knowledge, skills and abilities required for that position. Use all relevant reference material and consult others. And now you are ready to Analyze what you need to get there. You have all the data to analyze the gaps in the skills, knowledge and abilities.
Certainly along the way these non-professional life issues can affect how you fulfill your professional goals. This exercise can be quite revealing to those who do it with seriousness. Here is a practical way to implement Dr. Steve Covey's second habit - Begin With The End in Mind.
