Some of us always hope that things will fall in place. Then we read every day in the newspaper about some people who make things fall in place. Yes, nothing happens automatically. Give your efforts and hard work. But as this world is full of competition. Then you also have to be very strategic with your hard work. If you want an exceptional career for yourself, then you have to be careful from the beginning of your career because a perfect career needs dedication and the perfect timeline to happen.
What is a career plan?
A career plan is a continuous process to achieve goals. In a career plan, we identify our skills and our passions and interests. We also explore our goals and set practical strategies to achieve them. A career plan is like a journey. As much as we evolve in our lives, we edit our career plans.
Why we need a career plan
Having a career plan ensures that we are on the right path to achieve our goals. Most of us get talent and dream big in their lives. But somehow they lose the path to success. Success is not about only having talents and knowing what to do. It is also about how to do the job. A career planning ensures that you would not get stuck in your career path. While crafting your career plan, you get to realize your situation. After that, you can take those tiny but strong practical steps to achieve those goals.
Who needs to make a career plan?
Everyone should have a career plan. You may still be a student, or you just have passed out of your graduation. But it does not mean that it is not high time for you to structure a career plan. Be it school students or college students or just have passed out, need to have a career plan to be successful. Because until you don’t have a goal, you cannot motivate yourself to do things.
As a student, if you have a career plan, you will have the urge to learn new skills and expand your knowledge. If you are searching for jobs, then your career plan will ensure you achieve your much-wanted job. Also, a working professional needs a career plan. Because it will help them change their career path, they also can work on themselves to be a better version of themselves at their workplace.
Here I have described how you should make your career plan. These are some of those factors you have to do to achieve the goals you have dreamt for.
Learn regularly soft skills
There are some important skills that employers need to learn regularly. These skills are self-learned. No one can teach you in the classroom. We call these soft skills.
Research says 75% success in long-term jobs related to soft skills.
Soft skills are challenging to learn. The basic examples of soft skills are.
Communication- You can join some organizations. A few organizations are there to offer workshops regarding public speaking.
Leadership-
Leadership doesn’t mean that you make people compelled to follow your orders. A great leader always inspires the team to work better. Leader helps to catch up failures with ease.
Critical thinking-
You need to observe things critically to become a critical thinker. Also, you need to analyze and process information. For better business deals, observe the opposite person. How the person reacts to a different set of information is a key point of the success of your proposal.
Adaptability-
To learn this skill, have a thirst for knowledge. Also, keep your mind and brain open to new ideas and processes.
Teamwork-
It starts with small gestures. Ask your junior or co-worker if they need any help. These simple gestures from your side will bring the trust of theirs. When next time you will be absent from the office, they might be there to cover for you.
If a company offers training sessions, that is very encouraging news for the employees. Then you will get a brilliant opportunity to explore and master these skills.
Also, you need time to improve. Though providing soft skills is a tough job, but your dedication can make it easier.
Mastery of hard skills
Hard skills are teachable. You can learn these skills by schooling and educating yourself. Unlike soft skills, hard skills are measurable. Anyone can determine your depth in these skills by watching and analyzing your work. For a successful working professional, you need to master a few hard skills.
Technology-
There is nothing new to talk about the importance of this skill. The world is getting more digital with each passing moment. No matter in which field you work for, it is necessary to work flawlessly in computers. Without it, you will never be at the top of your game.
Data management-
Data is the primary money in every business. For you, it is essentially important to find crucial information and assess that.
Research skills-
At the beginning of your career, this is a much-wanted skill. You will get to know lots of information. Also, you will get more opportunities by researching only.
Financial planning-
Especially if you work in accounts, then you need to play well with figures. Not in every profession, you will need this skill. But doing good in accounting is an important aspect of success in life.
Some of these hard skills require specific knowledge and practice. It also depends on you how fast you can learn these skills at your workplace.
Short-term goals-
The goal that we want to achieve soon is a short-term goal. The time limit can be today or even in the next year. A short-term goal keeps our focus on the point. Our short-term goals show the path where we are approaching in the career. Accomplishing each short-term goal determines the required next step towards our success.
You may need to have a professional certification. Also, being a little more organized can help you well at work. All of these can be your short-term goals.
Long-term goals-
In every interview, you might have heard the question, “Where do you see yourself in the next five years?” The basic reason for this common question is to check the vision of the candidate. How far the candidate can see also implies how far the candidate can go in the career. Without big dreams, you can’t achieve anything big in your career.
Write your action plan:
Now you have critically analyzed every process. Then it is time to write your career action plan.
1.) You should start with short-term goals. Then you can end the list with long-term goals.
2.) Short-term goals should be the steps to achieve long-term goals.
3.) After writing all these goals, write the time limit for them.
4.) Write some bullet points to achieve these goals. You should put them directly to the next of each goal.
5.) You should allow yourself to change this list. Sometimes, your long-term goals might get changed. Then you should change your short-term goals according to that.
6.) Do not miss any single point. Put every detail in the list. Your required internships or certifications also should be on the list.
7.) Finally, when you reach your destination, add another goal to the list because the goal is not just a single destination. It is the journey you go through to reach the destination. You should value it the most.
Maintain your list
Structuring this list is not the hardest part. Maintaining it and sticking to it is the hardest thing to achieve. For that, you need to check and recheck the list from time to time. Check and mark the already achieved goals. You should edit it according to your needs. By doing this, you can remind yourself of your goals every day. You cannot forget those goals and be at peace.
When your goals can not let you be at peace, that is the time you can achieve your desire by giving that much effort. You also need to remain motivated and positive minded. If you lose motivation, then you can offer some rewards to yourself. When you achieve any of the listed goals, you can pamper yourself a little. It may be a single day off or a bucket of ice cream. It can be tiny. But rewards can help you keep going.
Conclusion
A successful career is like a marathon. You keep running and running. You can meet darkness in your life. Some days may also be full of joy. All you need is to keep going. Because there is no fixed destination for a successful career, it is the journey that gives you everything you have always desired for.