Career planning is the
process of enhancing an employee’s future value. It is the self-evaluation and planning done by an individual to have a
strong career path. It is an ongoing process through which a person sets
career goals and identifies the means to achieve them.
According to
Schermerborn, Hunt, and Osborn, ‘Career planning is a process of systematically
matching career goals and individual capabilities with opportunities for their
fulfillment’.
Career
planning heartens individuals to explore and gather information, which enables
them to synthesize, gain competencies, make decisions, set goals and take
action. It is a vital phase of human resource development that helps the
employees in making strategy for work-life balance.
Career
planning process is an important aspect for an individual’s career development.
Some of the basic steps in a career planning process are:
1. Self-Assessment: The first step in the career planning
process is self-assessment to be done by the individual to understand his or
her skills, areas of interest etc. This stage helps make you aware of the many
possibilities that exist. In addition to learning position titles, you will
also discover the skills, educational requirements, and personal attributes
needed to be successful in various fields. Gathering this information helps
career counselors make suggestions for majors, jobs, and careers that
would fit in with your interests and skills. The goal here is to come up with a
few options to share with a career counselor.
2. Conduct Field Search: The second
step in the career planning process is to understand the career options,
companies available, growth options in career etc. This stage is useful in
deciding between different fields to pursue. What better way to explore career
options than to meet with someone working in the field? It entails meeting with
people in different positions or industries that you are interested in and
asking them questions about their job. This is also the first step in starting
to build a professional network.
3. Determine
and Set Your Job Target: The next step in the career planning is to set
short-term as well as long-term career goals for oneself, and to have a clear
career path. Your Job Target is the specific industry and position you choose
to pursue. It may also include geographic location. Your Job Target can change
as you gain more experience and knowledge about yourself.
4. Learn & Improve Skills: The next step
in the career planning process is to keep acquiring new skills and knowledge to
be in line with career objectives and with industry requirements.
5. Build Your Credentials and Resume: This
stage is ongoing and more you build your credentials, the better your resume
becomes. A greats resume leads to interviews and offers. The best way to build
your credentials and knowledge are by:
6. Job
Search: The sixth step in the career planning process is to short-list the
companies where an individual is seeking a job and start applying. Learn to
write calling scripts and develop tactics for approaching employers other than
looking at advertisements (which seldom bring quick results). You will also
need to get organized by starting a job search binder where all your activities
are logged and new information is kept. In addition, it is crucial to educate
yourself regarding interviewing and salary negotiations before you meet
employers. It will take most new graduates 3–10 months to find a job, so start
early. For a graduate-level student, it may take longer.
7. Revise
and Improve Career Goals: The last step in the career planning process is
to continuously evaluate the career goals and again do a self-assessment to
build a strong career path. Consistently update your resume with any new
skills, knowledge, and experience.
Career-Planning