Take Time to Map Career Plan

 

A former Lilly colleague of mine from the 1980s was obsessed with a 5-year career plan.  He took a couple days twice a year to map progress towards his short- and long-term career goals.  I was amused at first as he sometimes grew impatient with lack of progress, but he continually updated his plan.  Today, he's the president of a company in Florida, and still setting his career goals. 

Career planning is critical whether you're currently employed or looking for a job.  You must know where you're going before you can get there.  So, I recommend picking a day each year--perhaps your birthday--that you devote to assessing and mapping career goals and what it will take to make them come true. 

I asked executive recruiter Michael Patino for his top-of-mind recommendations for anyone thinking about self-directed career planning.  Michael said most young people don't know what's possible, so he suggests seeking insights from individuals who are in the kinds of positions that interest them.  "Rebalance career goals every year," Michael suggests.  "Set a time of year when you can focus some clear thinking about career goals--perhaps as you sit on the beach during summer vacation." 

Don't kill yourself if you're not meeting career goals, especially in this economy.  Remain flexible but always remain focused on where you want to take your career. 

 

Thanks to North Carolina A&T State University Office of Career Services for the above career mapping illustration.