3 Steps to Creating & Executing a Career Development Plan
Whether you're just starting out in your career or looking to take the next step, it's important to have a plan in place for your professional development. While there are many ways to approach career growth, there are three key steps you can take to help fast track your progress.
Step 1: Get clear on what you want
The first step to advancing your career is to get clear on what you want. Do you want to stay and grow with your current team, or are you ready for a change and want to explore opportunities with another team?
Are you happy with your current role, want to stay but also grow? What does that growth look like? Or do you need to change things up entirely and take on a new challenge but unsure how? What else interests you? You don’t know what you don’t know! Give yourself the time and space needed to work through this transition.
If you choose to stay and grow, think about what that growth would look like and then ask yourself if that vision is realistic? What new responsibilities could you take on, and what skills do you need to develop?
If you're considering a move to another team, what strengths do you want to lean on and which roles compliment these strengths? What are the non-negotiables that you absolutely don’t want in your new role? Doing a simple yes/no list can help narrow down what you really want from your next move. Don’t forget to prioritize these for further clarity!
Step 2: Do your research
Once you've identified your career goals, it's time to do your research.
If you choose to stay and grow with your current team, how else can you add value? What opportunities are there for enhanced or fresh revenue streams you can lead? Research companies in the same industry and explore ways that you can continue growing in your space. What solutions are they solving for that you may not be? Ask your clients what they’d like to see from the team to encourage a more meaningful relationship. These efforts will help you gain perspective on what new initiatives you can possibly take on.
If you're considering a move to another team, take the time to learn what that new team does. Talk to colleagues who work in these areas, and ask them about their experiences - the good, bad and ugly. Be sure to understand what the daily, weekly, and monthly expectations are, as well as how to add value and make money for the team. And remember, check in with yourself as you’re listening to the information, do you like what you’re hearing? Are you smiling and excited on the inside or fake smiling and cringing? Why transition to a new opportunity only to start off on the wrong foot. You owe it to yourself to put in the time and energy to find that next exciting chapter that’ll truly make you happy.
Step 3: Book and prepare for the conversation
Whether you stay and grow or decide to change and grow elsewhere - you’ve done the hard part - you’ve put in the time, did your research and made a career growth decision - now you have to communicate all of this to your boss and get their support. Approaching these conversations are always easier once you’ve done the work beforehand. It also demonstrates your initiative and professionalism since you’ve clearly put the time and effort into the process.
Start by booking a face-to-face meeting with your manager and scheduling it within the next week or two. This will help you capitalize on the momentum you've built up during your research phase.
Next, you want to prepare. So how do you properly prepare for this conversation? For starters, take a moment to reflect on how far you’ve come. Allow your confidence to emerge as you try to battle the nerves bubbling at the surface as you think about what you’re going to say and how you’re going to do it. Write out your main bullet points supported with your research (step 2) and practice. Some of us can tackle this type of conversation without any fear, while others are crippled with nerves. We’re all different and unique in our own way. If you fall in the latter, do what you need to do to calm your nerves so that you can effectively communicate your message. If that means writing out your points and practicing on family and friends, then do it!
Make sure to invite your manager into the conversation and ask for their guidance and feedback. It’s important to gain their support throughout this process.
In conclusion, advancing your career takes time and effort, but by following these three steps, you can fast track your growth and achieve your goals. By getting clear on what you want, doing your research, and preparing for the conversation, you can confidently take control of your career development and achieve the success you deserve.
