How Do You Create a Career Plan That Moves Your Career Forward?

You don’t have to be unhappy in your current job to start thinking about what comes next. In fact, when things are going well, this can be one of the best times to step back and think intentionally about your career.

Today’s workplace is changing quickly, particularly as artificial intelligence and new technologies reshape jobs and the skills employers need.

That makes career planning less about predicting exactly where you’ll be five years from now and more about knowing where you want to go, developing relevant skills and staying flexible as opportunities change.

What Is a Career Plan?

A career plan is a roadmap that connects your career goals with practical steps for reaching them. It can help you identify:

• The type of work you want to do
• Skills and experience you already have
• Skills you may need to develop
• Short- and longer-term career goals
• Actions that can move you toward those goals

Your career plan doesn’t have to dictate every move you make. Think of it as a living document you can adjust as your interests, priorities and opportunities change.

Where to Start with Career Planning

Start with an honest assessment of where you are today.

Consider questions such as:

• What are my strongest skills?
• What skills would I like to develop?
• What accomplishments am I most proud of?
• What parts of my current job do I enjoy most?
• Where are there gaps between my current experience and the roles I want?

Update your resume and LinkedIn profile with recent roles, skills, certifications and accomplishments. Then think beyond your job title. What have you learned? What problems are you good at solving? What kind of work gives you energy, and what would you like to do more of?

Not sure how your skills translate to job opportunities? The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics links skill sets to specific jobs, and projects estimated demand for these jobs over the next decade.

How to Set Career Goals

Once you understand where you are, think about where you would like to go. Start by considering what genuinely interests and motivates you. The work you find meaningful can offer important clues about the direction you want your career to take. At the same time, consider your strengths, the skills employers need and where opportunities are developing.

Instead of focusing only on a specific future job title, consider the broader direction you want your career to take.

Ask yourself:

• What type of work motivates you? Think about the tasks, challenges or subjects that hold your interest. Where do your interests and strengths overlap?
• Which industries or occupations interest you? Explore possibilities beyond your current role or industry. Your experience may open doors you haven't considered.
• Which skills are becoming more valuable in your field? Look at current job postings and industry trends to identify skills that could broaden your opportunities.
• Could your existing skills transfer to another occupation or industry? Skills such as communication, problem-solving, leadership, project management and technical expertise can apply across many careers.
• What kind of workplace and work environment are right for you? Consider factors such as schedule, location, culture, opportunities to learn and the type of team you want to work with.
• What would meaningful career progress look like over the next year? Progress doesn't always require a promotion. It could mean building a new skill, earning a credential, taking on greater responsibility or exploring a different career path.

Once you have a direction in mind, turn it into goals you can act on. You might aim to:

• Earn a certification
• Learn a new technology
• Take on a stretch assignment
• Build leadership experience

Or, you might decide to move into an entirely different occupation. This blog offers tips on how to change careers.

For each goal, identify one concrete next step and give yourself a realistic target date. For example, rather than setting a broad goal to “move into cybersecurity,” your first step might be researching the skills required for entry-level cybersecurity roles and choosing a relevant training or certification program.

Think small

Breaking a larger career goal into smaller milestones can make progress easier to manage and give you opportunities to reassess your direction along the way. Your goals can change as you gain experience, develop new interests and discover new opportunities.

Why Should Skill Development Be Part of Your Career Plan?

The skills employers need continue to evolve and you need to be ready for what’s next. Upskilling and continuous learning should be a permanent part of your plan.

A recent global survey of employers found that:

91% of companies see AI transforming their workforce and are planning how to respond.

This is an indication that the skills employers are looking for are in transition, and it’s important to keep up-to-date on what they’re looking for. That doesn’t mean chasing every new trend. Instead, regularly compare your capabilities with the requirements appearing in the jobs you want.

Look for skill gaps across three areas:

Technical skills: Tools, technologies, equipment, processes or specialized knowledge needed for your field.

Human skills: Communication, collaboration, problem-solving, adaptability and leadership abilities that apply across many jobs.

AI and digital skills: The ability to work effectively with emerging technology, including understanding when and how digital and AI tools can help you do your work.

Then choose learning opportunities that directly support your career goals. That could mean formal training or certification, but it could also mean taking on a new project, learning from a colleague, joining a professional organization or gaining hands-on experience.

How Can Networking Help You Reach Your Career Goals?

Career development doesn’t have to happen on your own. Building relationships with people inside and outside your organization can expose you to new ideas, skills and opportunities.

Consider connecting with:

• A mentor who can offer career guidance and candid feedback
• Current or former colleagues who work in areas that interest you
• Professional associations relevant to your career
• People in roles or industries you want to learn more about
• Recruiters who understand hiring demand and the skills employers are seeking

Focus on building genuine professional relationships rather than reaching out only when you need a job.

How Often Should You Update Your Career Plan?

Review your career plan regularly, such as every six months or whenever something significant changes in your work or life.

Ask yourself:

• Am I making progress toward my goals?
• Have my interests or priorities changed?
• Are employers looking for different skills than they were before?
• Have new roles or career paths emerged?
• What have I learned since my last review?
• What is the most useful next step I can take?

Your career path may not follow a straight line, and that’s okay. A useful career plan gives you direction while giving you room to change course when a better opportunity appears.

And when a better opportunity does arise, make sure you’re ready with an updated resume and LinkedIn profile.

The Takeaway

Career planning isn’t predicting exactly where you’ll be five years from now.

It’s more about:

• Knowing where you want to go
• Developing relevant skills
• Staying flexible as opportunities change

Take the Next Step in Your Career

You don’t need to know exactly where your career will take you. But knowing what you want to learn, where you want to grow and what you can do next makes it easier to keep moving forward.

Manpower recruiters can help you explore your options, show you how to set career goals, and connect you with roles that are right for you. Why not connect with us now!