Eliminate clutter from distractions. Coaches utilize tools and assessments to help you achieve greater clarity and focus on what matters most to you. If you have trouble saying "No," a coach can help you set boundaries and have more control over your life. More...

PRODUCT REVIEW
Negotiations & Career Coaching

Do you have a confidant, champion, and challenger who:

• Provides personalized guidance through job transitions

• Enables you to leverage your behavioral and professional strengths effectively

• Diagnoses reasons for career dissatisfaction, and

• Motivates you to take action in networking, interviewing, and taking on new opportunities?

© 2005 Kennedy Information, Inc., a BNA Company.

HOW OLD IS YOUR CAREER STRATEGIC PLAN?

Companies use strategic plans to direct their future and set annual business goals. Why not do the same for your career? Whether planning your next career move, courting a promotion, or forecasting your retirement, setting goals is a necessary part of making life what you want it to be. Do you have a clear picture of where you want your career to be a year from now? How about in 5 or 15 years? Career plans lay out the roadmap for future success.

Some tips to craft a strategic career plan:

• Write it down. It shows commitment to making career goals happen.

• Look back when planning the future. Plans for the future are only built on past achievements. It's time to take score and move on. Write down all of your successes from last year-- big or small-- and see how far you've come. You probably accomplished more goals than you think. If there were some "To Do's" that didn't get done, analyze why you didn't meet the goal and whether they are still relevant to your new plan.

• Align goals with values. Businesses develop goals in line with their defined values and philosophy. Consider what motivates you-- money, prestige, collaborating with others, providing support to those in need, healthy living-- and match your career goals to those values. With your values and goals aligned, you'll have the enthusiasm to stick with them.

• Capitalize on strengths and identify areas for improvement. Organizations stick with what works and change what doesn't. In crafting your personal career plan, the same philosophy applies. Look at your behavioral strengths and how they contributed toward your success. If your strengths aren't leveraged in your current role, and you have to adapt significantly to be effective, take a hard look at the areas you realistically can improve. Can changes in your work environment or additional resources enable your success? If not, move on.

• Establish specific goals with actionable tasks. Make your career plan quantifiable, with clear actions steps. For example, "I will join my professional association and connect with three people in my network (two to re-connect and ONE NEW CONTACT) each week," instead of "I will expand my network." The more specific you are, the easier it will be for you to stay focused on executing the plan.

• Build in accountability with deadlines and assignments. Every successful plan makes someone accountable and sets timeframes for execution. Your career plan is no different. A career coach or a trusted friend or family member can provide the accountability to help keep you moving forward.

• Provide structure for follow-up and measurement of progress. Revisit your career plan on a regular basis to assess your progress. Make sure you're on-track and re-orient your activities as the market requires.

• Have a champion. Who's the CEO of your career plans, driving them toward success? You may have the enthusiasm and discipline to do it yourself. Most people need a push now and then, to jump start their excitement and refocus them on what's important. Find a mentor or coach who will be your champion.

Executives today are driving their careers with the same strategic vision and planning they do for their companies. Take the first step and write your own career strategic plan.