How to create a career development plan

Here are five key steps to creating an effective plan:

1. Pinpoint Where You Are Now

Start by assessing your current position:

• Review your skills, experience and qualifications.
• Identify your strengths and what motivates you.
• Consider what matters most in a job: flexibility, culture, travel, or professional development.

Understanding your starting point will help shape realistic goals.

2. Determine Where You Want to Be

Think about your future career aspirations:

• Research roles and industries that interest you.
• Explore career quizzes and resources to discover options.
• Talk to people in roles you admire and seek advice.
• Visualise where you’d like to be in two, five or ten years.

3. Develop Your Strategy

Once you know your destination, map out how to get there:

• Identify training or qualifications you need.
• Look for opportunities to gain experience.
• Build soft skills like communication and leadership.
• Expand your network through professional associations or LinkedIn.
• Update your CV and online profiles.

Break your strategy into short-term and long-term steps.

4. Make Your Goals SMART

Ensure each goal is:

• Specific
• Measurable
• Achievable
• Realistic
• Time-bound

SMART goals keep your plan clear and actionable.

5. Review Your Plan Regularly

Life changes, and so should your plan. Review it every 6–12 months to:

• Track progress.
• Adjust goals as priorities shift.
• Add new opportunities or remove outdated objectives.

A career development plan helps you stay focused, flexible and ready for change. By setting clear goals and reviewing them regularly, you’ll be better equipped to achieve the career you want.