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STRATEGIC CAREER DEVELOPMENT:
HOW TO PLAN YOUR CAREER

"Where do you see yourself in five years?" Some people find it easy to answer this question, others struggle with a concrete answer because nothing can be planned anyway and life often has a hand in it. And young employees in particular often have no idea how their career should develop. 

But should your career always be a matter of luck or are there advantages to setting yourself professional goals, thinking about your next steps and strategically planning your career? In the course of your professional life, everyone should take time to pause and consider which personal steps make sense and will bring you closer to your own professional happiness. A career is not something that happens on the side. You have the reins in your own hands.

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Find out how to approach your strategic career planning step by step and which questions you should answer for yourself.

STRATEGIC CAREER PLANNING - WHAT IS IT?

Strategic career planning is an approach that allows you to proactively and thoughtfully shape your career path. Rather than just moving from job to job or focussing exclusively on short-term goals, strategic career planning encourages you to:

  • Consider your long-term goals,
  • Assess your skills and interests, 
  • analyse the job market and
  • develop a plan, 
  • achieve your career goals.

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It is an ongoing process that allows you to question yourself and recognise career options for yourself. This gives you the opportunity to actively shape your career instead of just being guided by external circumstances. 
Remember: Strategic career planning is an ongoing process that is never finished, that adapts and changes in response to new influences - whether personal or professional. You define your own professional success and find one or more ways to reach your goal.

3 steps for your career development

To ensure that your career develops as desired, you should proceed in as structured a manner as possible. You should therefore divide your planning into three main phases: Analysis, planning and implementation.

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2. Analysis: Where are you in your career?

Every strategy begins with analysing the current situation. And this is also the case when you create your own career plan.

Take the time to think about your skills, your interests and your personality.

Here is some inspiration:

  • What do you like about your job, your profession and your industry?
  • Are there things you don't like about your job?
  • What makes you stand out the most professionally?
  • Which of your skills are transferable to other jobs?
  • In which areas do you need further training?
  • Which areas of your job are you particularly good at?
  • What do you find difficult?
  • What professional successes can you point to?
  • What characterises your personality?
  • Do you prefer to work in a team or alone?
  • Are you a good leader?

Take the time to think about your skills, your interests and your personality.

Here is some inspiration:

  • What do you like about your job, your profession and your industry?
  • Are there things you don't like about your job?
  • What makes you stand out the most professionally?
  • Which of your skills are transferable to other jobs?
  • In which areas do you need further training?
  • Which areas of your job are you particularly good at?
  • What do you find difficult?
  • What professional successes can you point to?
  • What characterises your personality?
  • Do you prefer to work in a team or alone?
  • Are you a good leader?

Get an overview of the career options available to you. Your career plan should be based on a sound understanding of the situation in your sector or job description.

Clarify the following aspects for yourself:

  • Find out about your career prospects if you stay with your current employer.
  • Find out how you can gain further knowledge in your current position.
  • Research which qualifications are necessary and which will add value to your future career path. To do this, search job boards and look at job offers.
  • Think about alternative career opportunities - including in other sectors and professions.
  • Think about how you can develop and qualify yourself further.
  • Identify the leading companies (potential employers) in your sector.
  • Find out which neighbouring sectors are also suitable for you in order to increase your chances.
  • Analyse the careers of successful people in your field.
  • Consider whether a move is an option for you, possibly even abroad.
  • Decide on the type of employment and whether you would prefer to work part-time or full-time.

Get an overview of the career options available to you. Your career plan should be based on a sound understanding of the situation in your sector or job description.

Clarify the following aspects for yourself:

  • Find out about your career prospects if you stay with your current employer.
  • Find out how you can gain further knowledge in your current position.
  • Research which qualifications are necessary and which will add value to your future career path. To do this, search job boards and look at job offers.
  • Think about alternative career opportunities - including in other sectors and professions.
  • Think about how you can develop and qualify yourself further.
  • Identify the leading companies (potential employers) in your sector.
  • Find out which neighbouring sectors are also suitable for you in order to increase your chances.
  • Analyse the careers of successful people in your field.
  • Consider whether a move is an option for you, possibly even abroad.
  • Decide on the type of employment and whether you would prefer to work part-time or full-time.

2. Planning: Set your goals

Once you have analysed your current situation, you can now draw up a concrete career plan. Once you have a clear picture of your desired career, you should translate this vision into clearly defined goals. Divide these goals into short, medium and long-term sections. Each of these goals should be specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-bound. 

These considerations will help you:

  • Write down specific goals that you can work towards. For example: "In ten years, I would like to be the finance director of a large HR consultant." If you can't name a specific job, focus on more general goals.
  • Be positive and realistic. Don't underestimate or overestimate your abilities and value. Unachievable goals can be very demotivating. Always be honest with yourself.
  • Realise that your goals will change. What career did you have in mind when you were young? Did you still want to achieve the same goals at ten, 20 and 30? As you develop, your goals will also change. Work itself also adapts to the current conditions of our lives. So don't assume that a single career plan will be enough until you retire. 
  • Break down your long-term goals into smaller measurable achievements and set yourself a time frame in which you want to achieve them. If you want to be the finance director of a large company in ten years' time, you will probably have to become a financial controller or head of the finance department within the next five years - and look for such a job now.

Our tip for your career planning: Visualise your professional goals and the steps you need to take to achieve them. 
A step-by-step career plan or open career planning for career orientation can help you with this:

3. Implementation: Realise your planning

Now it's time to realise your career plan. Actively implement the steps that are necessary:

  • Make an appointment with your line manager or HR department to discuss your development opportunities.
  • Take on additional projects to expand your wealth of experience.
  • Continue your education in selected subject areas if necessary.
  • Build up personal business contacts within and outside your company.
  • Involve contacts from your industry.
  • Find a mentor or invest in coaching.
  • Enlist the help of specialised recruitment agencies.
  • Learn how to market yourself. Strengthen your personal branding.
  • Keep an eye on the job market and the associated changes.
  • Create a strong CV that matches your industry and role.
  • Take a strategic approach and write applications for the right jobs. Also write unsolicited applications if you cannot find suitable job adverts.
  • Work on your interview and presentation techniques.
  • Entry-level job

  • Career development/
    Further training

  • Job change/
    Promotion

  • Work-Life-Balance

  • Independence

  • Management position

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Implementing your own career plan - it's up to you

Strategic career planning is a powerful tool on your path to professional success and satisfaction. It allows you to shape your career with a clear focus. Always remember that your career path is unique and that you are in the driver's seat. Unpredictable challenges and setbacks are part of the journey, but they also offer opportunities for growth and reorientation. 

Stay flexible and open to new opportunities. And don't forget to celebrate successes and take time for reflection. Your career is a journey, not a competition. Be determined, passionate and plan carefully. This is the only way to realise your professional dreams and stay motivated. Take the first step today and be your own pilot - not a passenger on board your career.

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