How to Plan Your Professional Development
>> Tuesday, April 17, 2012
Having a development plan is essential if you wish to get ahead in your career. Firstly, it focuses your mind and gives you a tangible set of actions to work towards in your job. Research shows that those who write their goals down are far more likely to achieve them. Secondly, it shows your employer that you are serious about getting ahead and have future leadership potential. Finally, it gives you and your manager a framework against which your development can be measured.
Write Down Your Goals
Take time to sit down alone and identify your objectives and goals for your career within your organisation. Break these down into a series of one-year, three-year and five-year goals. Alongside these, build in a series of SMART (specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and time-bound) goals, to focus your endeavours and ensure you achieve your objectives. Also have a ten-year plan in place for your longer-term career objectives.
Write down details of any additional skills or work experience you need to meet your objectives. Use this to plan your search for courses and training you might need, such as professional development conferences, networking groups, qualifications and more. Think about projects you might like to volunteer for within the company, as these are a great way to get noticed. You can then start to develop a timeline against which you'll plot your goals and tasks. Set up calendar updates to keep track.
It's also essential to frame your career aspirations within the context of your existing job. For your employer to support your plans, your objectives need to fit in with company objectives and show both synergy and mutual gain. If, during this process, you realise that your goals aren't matched to your employer's, then it could be time to find a new job within a different organisation or consider starting your own business.
Get Help
Work with your manager on this exercise and ideally get him or her involved in your plans. If you are looking for a promotion, get your manager's view on which skills and attributes you need to develop to achieve this. Ask about getting a mentor within the organisation - someone more senior who can champion and develop you to progress within the company. Mentoring has been proven as a powerful means of developing individuals and it also helps you to build your network. Ideally, find a mentor who works in your chosen profession or role and who is willing to help you - and then invest your time and effort in the relationship. Thanks and appreciation goes a long way in the corporate world, as does politeness and good old-fashioned manners. These are the things that university doesn't necessarily teach you.
Take Action
After planning and involving others, the most important attribute for success is to take the initiative with your development and seek out opportunities to achieve your goals. Volunteer for projects, network and take time to meet a range of people from different walks of life. Help others when you can, share information, read widely and generally immerse yourself in your business, profession and life in general to see what opportunities arise. Often building links can create the most surprising results and connections, so it's always worth taking time to talk to another person about your goals and see if you can help them achieve theirs.
Take time to sit down alone and identify your objectives and goals for your career within your organisation. Break these down into a series of one-year, three-year and five-year goals. Alongside these, build in a series of SMART (specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and time-bound) goals, to focus your endeavours and ensure you achieve your objectives. Also have a ten-year plan in place for your longer-term career objectives.
Write down details of any additional skills or work experience you need to meet your objectives. Use this to plan your search for courses and training you might need, such as professional development conferences, networking groups, qualifications and more. Think about projects you might like to volunteer for within the company, as these are a great way to get noticed. You can then start to develop a timeline against which you'll plot your goals and tasks. Set up calendar updates to keep track.
It's also essential to frame your career aspirations within the context of your existing job. For your employer to support your plans, your objectives need to fit in with company objectives and show both synergy and mutual gain. If, during this process, you realise that your goals aren't matched to your employer's, then it could be time to find a new job within a different organisation or consider starting your own business.
Get Help
Work with your manager on this exercise and ideally get him or her involved in your plans. If you are looking for a promotion, get your manager's view on which skills and attributes you need to develop to achieve this. Ask about getting a mentor within the organisation - someone more senior who can champion and develop you to progress within the company. Mentoring has been proven as a powerful means of developing individuals and it also helps you to build your network. Ideally, find a mentor who works in your chosen profession or role and who is willing to help you - and then invest your time and effort in the relationship. Thanks and appreciation goes a long way in the corporate world, as does politeness and good old-fashioned manners. These are the things that university doesn't necessarily teach you.
Take Action
After planning and involving others, the most important attribute for success is to take the initiative with your development and seek out opportunities to achieve your goals. Volunteer for projects, network and take time to meet a range of people from different walks of life. Help others when you can, share information, read widely and generally immerse yourself in your business, profession and life in general to see what opportunities arise. Often building links can create the most surprising results and connections, so it's always worth taking time to talk to another person about your goals and see if you can help them achieve theirs.
Article written by Herbert of Two-sided Perspective
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