Career development at a crossroads? How to design a five-year plan
Do you feel like your career development is at a crossroads? Do you know you want to get ahead, but are unsure how to get there?
You need a plan.
But not just any plan; your career development needs a five-year plan. Mapping out the next five years might sound like a lot, but it will empower you, keep you focused, motivated, and on track for personal and career growth. It will help you determine which skills you need to develop next, and the actions you can take towards achieving your goals.
Ready to take charge of your career development? Here's our comprehensive guide to designing a five-year career development plan.
Why is a five-year career development plan important?
If you lack direction in your current role or feel like you're at a crossroads, a career development plan will help you visualise where you want to be and what you need to do to get there. It provides a clear roadmap, enabling you to work out the kind of career development program that will help fill the gaps in your skills that might be holding you back from your career goals. By aligning your career goals with clear actions, you can start making decisions to move your career in the right direction.
Creating any kind of plan fuels your motivation, and a career development plan is no exception. In addition to feeling more optimistic about working towards your career goals, a personal development plan can also help you anticipate roadblocks to your career development, and how to mitigate them.
Why five years? Because anything less is insufficient to keep you focused on the big picture. Big goals tend to take multiple years to reach, particularly when you need to develop new skills.
How to design a 5-year career development plan
Not sure where to start? This step-by-step guide outlines how to design your five-year career development plan.
Step 1. Define your career goals
Start by identifying your career goals. Where would you like to be in five years? If this question seems overwhelming, start with a brainstorm. Consider your values, passions, and strengths. This requires self-reflection, so don't be afraid to lay it all bare.
Be specific with your goals. If you want to be a leader, what kind of leader would you like to be? The clearer you are now, the easier it will be to map out your next steps.
Step 2. Assess your skills and experience gaps
Next, review the skills, experience and qualifications you currently have. Where are the ‘opportunity’ gaps or areas for development that will help you reach your goals? Your five-year plan should outline how you can address these, whether through a career development program, leadership program, mentoring, or taking on new projects.
Step 3. Identify obstacles and how you will overcome them
Is there anything (or anyone) currently holding you back from reaching your goals? What are the blockers that might stop you along the way?
Here's an example of a common career development obstacle: micromanagers.
We learn and grow by taking on challenges, making mistakes, and finding solutions. Micromanagers prevent this by constantly guiding and controlling our work, which blocks our career development. So how can you solve it?
Ask your manager for a check-in to talk about your career development. Outline your career goals and ask them to be specific about what you need to do in order to move up to the next level – question how they will track, measure, and support your goals.
Then, schedule regular check-ins to share your progress and keep your plan on track.
Don't solely rely on your manager, though. You should seek out a sponsor or mentor inside or outside your organisation who can support your career development.
Step 4. Set mini goals
Thinking about the next five years can be overwhelming. Breaking down your BHAG (Big Hairy Audacious Goal) into more manageable milestones will keep you motivated and on track. Research shows that when it comes to change, it's best to start small and specific.
Set some mini goals for the next month, six months, 12 months, etc.
For example:
"By the end of this month, I'll talk to my manager about a professional development program."
"By next quarter, I'll reach out to three new stakeholders and start building relationships."
Step 5. Get feedback
Gather feedback from your manager, mentors, and peers. They may help you uncover some career development opportunities you never considered or highlight some key strengths you've overlooked.
Ask them:
Are there other roles I should consider?
Have I missed anything in my plan?
Is there a better way to approach my career development?
Based on what you know about me, do you believe I can accomplish these goals?
Step 6. Map it out
Armed with all your information, it's time to map your five-year career development plan. Outline your goals, skills gaps, professional development programs or activities you plan to pursue, and any obstacles with solutions. Finally, include a timeline of your mini goals.
Step 7. Review your plan regularly
Your career development plan isn't 'set and forget'—it is a living plan. Remember that circumstances change—your personal life might evolve, new obstacles or opportunities might appear, and your interests might shift. Be proactive and prepared to adapt your plan along the way. Keep yourself accountable by setting a calendar reminder to review your five-year plan at quarterly intervals.
Your career development starts with you
When it comes to your career development journey, nobody else can set the direction but you. Go beyond the annual review with your people leader and design a long-term career development map that will keep you motivated and accountable. A five-year plan will empower you to move forward, learn the skills you need to grow, and help you stay focused on your path to your dream career.
Ready to put your career development plan into action? Start building your skills through Maxme's leadership development programs.
Download the Hodie app to start today, or explore our broader menu of Maxme Products & Programs for organisations and individuals.
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