Create a Professional Development Plan for Your Future

Create a Professional Development Plan for Your FutureCreate a Professional Development Plan for Your FutureTo gauge your potential as a true professional, an employer may ask you about your professional development plans in a job interview. If youre not interviewing for a job and are a new hire, expect the question to come up during your performance appraisal. Heres how to create a professional development plan. Tips for Charting Your Professional Development Gather InformationIf a pay raise or advancement at your current employer is a priority, a good place to start formulating an effective plan is to meet with your supervisor. Ask her or him what areas of knowledge or skills you should develop that will add the fruchtwein value to your department. If you have peers performing similar jobs in your department, examine the backgrounds of any outstanding performers. Identify the skills or knowledge base that contribute to the success of behauptung employees and consider if you sho uld also develop these strengths. Review Job TitlesReview typical job titles for your occupation andlists of job titlesappropriate for different positions in your field. Search major job sites like Indeed or Simply Hired for job titles similar to yours, or any jobs you would like to have. Look for patterns in the qualifications that employers say theyre looking for. Make a list of the most frequently referenced requirements, compare them to your strengths, and choose a few areas to target in your development plan. Review Seminar AgendasIts also beneficial to review the agendas for workshops and seminars offered by your professional organization. Identify areas of knowledge and skills that are cutting edge in your field. Include at least one technology-related objective in your plan. Tech-savvy employees are often the most sought after, whether the job is technology-based, or not. Creating Your Professional Development Plan Its easier to achieve goals and objectives when you writ e them down. Compile all the information you have collected including Skills requiredKnowledge requiredJob requirementsTechnology requirements Upgrade Your SkillsNext, figure out how and when you can acquire the skills necessary for your future success. A good place to start is consulting with your professional association about local, national, and online seminars, as well as workshops and tutorials related to your interests. You can also ask your Human Resources and IT departments about any in-house resources. And, you can look into any educational opportunities offered at local colleges and adult education programs. Plan a Career Trajectory TimelineOnce youve gathered all this information, its time to consider exactly how youre going to acquire the skills you need. Ask yourself the following questions Can you take online classes or seminars? How about a boot camp held on evenings or weekends?Are there professional association meetings or development workshops specifically for my occupation that I can attend?Are there general classes, especially for upgrading my tech skills? Then, decide how much time you want to invest in your professional development because you need to balance your career needs with your lifestyle needs. Taking on too much at once is a good way to burn out fast. You need to figure out what activities will fit into your available time. Its also smart to include a list of goals with tentative deadlines for each career activity.Be sure to update your LinkedIn profile and your resume each time you upgrade your skills. Its important to advertise your qualifications, especially when they are in-demand skills that employers are seeking. The Importance of Following Through As with most plans, execution is critical to success. Make sure you follow through and engage in as many professional development activities as possible. Youll not only enhance your career youll have a compelling story to tell during interviews and performance reviews. Reme mber, having even a tentativecareer pathin place will help you respond to interview questions aboutyour goals for the future, and assist you in determining the next phase of your career.