The Complete Guide to Career Planning: Expert Tips and Advice

Starting a career journey without a plan is like walking on the road without a map. Career planning is the first step before making any decision about a career or which path to choose or not.

Everyone must be clear about his ambitions and goals. In this article, we’ll provide you with guidance on how to make the best career decision and understand the importance of career planning. Career planning can involve assessment tests, professional coaching, educational programs, and occupational training. There is no right time and age to start planning your career. If you’re a few years out of school, career planning is an opportunity to reflect on the highlights and challenges of your career to date. Looking at what you’ve already done and what you’d like to do more is a great place to start. 
 

Definition of Career and Career Planning 

Career – In simple terms, career can be defined as a General course that a person chooses to pursue throughout his or her working life. 

Career planning - Ongoing process whereby an individual sets career goals and identifies the means to achieve them or we can define in simple language that career planning is the process of planning career goals and ambitions that need to be achieved in the future. 

If you are already in a career that you like, you can use the career planning process to set short-term and long-term goals for what you want to achieve in the next five, 10, or 20 years. You can also evaluate your options and decide to take a new career direction. 

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How to plan your career step-wise: 

The career planning process is divided into four steps: 

1. Self – assessment 

2. Career Exploration 

3. Match (career identification) 

4. Take action 
 

1. Self–assessment: 

Self-assessment helps individuals to know about their: 

1. Values 

2. Skills 

3. Interest 

4. Personality type 

5.  Development needs 

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2. Career Exploration: 

based on self assessment career options can be explored 

Career options can also be considered by: 

1. Job shadowing 

2. Interships,parttime work 

3. volunteering  

4. identify changes in the industry 

3. Career Identification: 

Career identification can be done by gathering information from various sources and you will decide which occupation is the best fit for you based on self-assessment and career exploration such as  

1. Friends  

2. Colleagues 

3. Mentors 

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4. Take Action: 

It's time to put together a plan to reach your goals and start moving forward: 

Create an action plan: 

1. Identifying long and short-term goals 
2. Creating a resume 
3. Sending applications to companies 
4. Get the required training for the job  

 

Features of career planning  

• It is an ongoing process. 

• It helps individuals develop the skills required to fulfill different career roles. 

• It strengthens work-related activities in the organization. 

• It defines the life, career, abilities and interests of the employees. 

• It can also give professional directions, as they relate to career goals. 

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What Are the Benefits of Career Planning? 

Career planning can benefit you in the following ways: 

• You may be able to figure out what you want to do in your professional life. 

• You can avoid wasting time and resources in trying to enter career options that do not suit you. 

• You can choose to get specific educational qualifications and training that would benefit your chosen career. 

• You may be more confident about the career choice you have made. 

• You can focus on your career goals and work to achieve your desired short-term and long-term results. 

 

Importance of Career Planning  

Career planning can help you to prepare to: 

• Enter the workforce 

• Plan for education 

• Deal with changing workplace demands 

• Anticipate trends or changes 

• Plan to upgrade or maintain your skills 

• Plan for career advancement 

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MISTAKES TO AVOID WHEN SELECTING A CAREER 

Listening to people who tell you that you should, or should not do something 

• Following in someone else's footsteps 

• Not doing your homework 

• Not talking to those in the know 

• Going for the money, Honey 

• Ignoring who you are 

• Not considering location 

• Not looking beyond, a "Best Careers" list 

• Ignoring the future 

 

WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR PLANNING AND MANAGING YOUR CAREER? 

Planning your career is your responsibility. It is up to you to do the planning and take the necessary actions to obtain the education and training that will support your career plans. However, you can get help. For example, your advisor or career counselor can advise you about: 

1. your career planning strategy  

2. how to find the information you need  

3. how to get around obstacles  

4. how to go about planning your current and long-term education and training Keep in mind, throughout your life, you are the one who must make all the decisions about your career and produce the results that support your goals. It’s up to you to control and navigate your destiny. 

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THE BIG PICTURE:  

YOUR LIFE PLAN It is a good idea to plan your career based on the big picture, that is, your life plan. Ask yourself, “What kind of life do I want to lead?” As you can imagine, your career decisions will dramatically impact your lifestyle. Your occupation will influence your: 

1. income 

2. work hours 

3. travel  

4. job security  

5. colleagues and friends 

6. leisure time 
 

The Objectives of Career Planning: 

Career planning aims to meet the following objectives: 

(i) To offer careers, not jobs, to the employees so that talent can be attracted and retained in the organization. 

(ii) To have effective utilization of human resources which will, in turn, lead to greater productivity 

(iii) To reduce employee turnover 

(iv) To motivate the employees and to boost their morals 

(v) To meet the immediate and future human resource needs of the organization on a timely basis. 

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Tips For Career Planning 

You can consider using these career planning tips to stay relevant in your profession: 

• Keep up with the changes in the industry and be ready to adjust your career plans accordingly. 

• Network with industry professionals online and offline and build cordial and mutually beneficial relationships. 

• Study the job market and remain alert for available opportunities. 

• Be willing to relocate if that is necessary to get the job you want. 

• Take continuing education courses and learn new skills. 

 

Few things to remember  

There is no ONE right way to write a RESUME - everyone is unique. 

 Proofread your resume very carefully for grammar, punctuation, and spelling. You do not want ANY mistakes in your resume.  

Get feedback from other people. Make sure that your resume looks good, is easy to understand, and says what you want it to say! 

My resume is the marketing tool to get the interview! 

Career Services will be happy to critique your resume. 

 

Identify career option  

 

Internet 

• Contacts and 
  Networks 

• Newspapers and journals 

• Professional Associations 

• Careers Centre - career assessment; occupational library; counselling; Internet contacts 

Networking 

• An essential ingredient of a career 
  success 

• Identify people within your network 

• Continually develop and maintain relationships, informally and formally with these people 

• Build your networks, particularly about your career goals 
   

Using the Internet for Career Planning and Development at Texas 

Instruments 

• The site introduces graduating college students to the career planning process 

• Engineer Your Career 

• Career Mapper 

• Resume Builder 

• Fit Check 

• Ask the Cyber Recruiter 

Planning of careers must be for every individual in order to become successful in life and Career Planning brings out the best within the individual and helps utilize person's skills and abilities to the optimum level. In order to succeed you must have to plan. 

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