What is your 5-year career
plan?

The workplace today is very
different from the workplace a decade ago 1

Job titles and role descriptions
change frequently

Job titles and role descriptions
change frequently Ever heard of a Chief Listening Officer, a Creative Technologist, or a User Experience Professional?

A career is less likely
to be at a single organisation or occupation over a lifetime Source: http://www.getsmarter.co.za/getsmarter-2014-career-guide

A career is less likely
to be at a single organisation or occupation over a lifetime South Africans hold, on average, 13,5 jobs over a lifetime Source: http://www.getsmarter.co.za/getsmarter-2014-career-guide

A career is less likely
to be at a single organisation or occupation over a lifetime South Africans hold, on average, 13,5 jobs over a lifetime Organisations have become less hierarchical and more de-linear Source: http://www.getsmarter.co.za/getsmarter-2014-career-guide

A career is less likely
to be at a single organisation or occupation over a lifetime South Africans hold, on average, 13,5 jobs over a lifetime Organisations have become less hierarchical and more de-linear Career advancement is no longer defined by vertical movement within one organisation Source: http://www.getsmarter.co.za/getsmarter-2014-career-guide

A career is less likely
to be at a single organisation or occupation over a lifetime South Africans hold, on average, 13,5 jobs over a lifetime Organisations have become less hierarchical and more de-linear Career advancement is no longer defined by vertical movement within one organisation Adaptability, versatility and indispensability characterise the modern job role Source: http://www.getsmarter.co.za/getsmarter-2014-career-guide

A career is less likely
to be at a single organisation or occupation over a lifetime South Africans hold, on average, 13,5 jobs over a lifetime Organisations have become less hierarchical and more de-linear Career advancement is no longer defined by vertical movement within one organisation Adaptability, versatility and indispensability characterise the modern job role 48% of South African employees seek out opportunities for continuous learning to keep themselves current and adaptable Source: http://www.getsmarter.co.za/getsmarter-2014-career-guide

…there will no doubt continue
to be changes over the next 5 years.

If anything is certain, it
is that change is certain. The world we are planning for today will not exist in this form tomorrow. - Philip Crosby, businessman and author

Change can impact your career
planning… If you don’t plan for it.

So, how do you develop
a career plan when so much about the future is uncertain? 2

Career Planning: Old vs. New

Traditionally, a career plan involves
visualising yourself in a specific role or position in 5 years time

Traditionally, a career plan involves
visualising yourself in a specific role or position in 5 years time It meant establishing a long-term goal and planning specific steps over time to make that happen

Traditionally, a career plan involves
visualising yourself in a specific role or position in 5 years time It meant establishing a long-term goal and planning specific steps over time to make that happen Today however, seeing what your career or job role will look like in five years time is a tricky task

Traditionally, a career plan involves
visualising yourself in a specific role or position in 5 years time It meant establishing a long-term goal and planning specific steps over time to make that happen Today however, seeing what your career or job role will look like in five years time is a tricky task The role you’re aiming for might not even exist by then, and as such your plan needs to be more agile

The modern career plan involves:
3

Establishing long-term direction

Establishing long-term direction Using short-term
goals to stay on track

Establishing long-term direction Using short-term
goals to stay on track Making regular refreshes along the way

Establishing long-term direction Using short-term
goals to stay on track Making regular refreshes along the way Investing in keeping yourself relevant and current

Establishing long-term direction Using short-term
goals to stay on track Making regular refreshes along the way Investing in keeping yourself relevant and current The modern career plan means your overall 5-year goal might change numerous times.

After all, the way you
define career success today, might change tomorrow Establishing long-term direction Using short-term goals to stay on track Making regular refreshes along the way Investing in keeping yourself relevant and current The modern career plan means your overall 5-year goal might change numerous times.

A modern career is a
path on which we build our autonomy, strive for mastery and align (and re-align) with our purpose. - Sam Paddock, Co-CEO of GetSmarter

So, where do you start?
4

Step 1: Develop your long-term
personal and professional vision

Step 1: Develop your long-term
personal and professional vision Ask yourself where you hope to be in five years and what you hope to have achieved in that time

Step 2:
Set short-term goals

Step 2: Set short-term goals
Make your goals specific, but broad enough to cater for change

Step 2: Set short-term goals
Make your goals specific, but broad enough to cater for change This could include defining your desired salary bracket, role description, key responsibilities, working hours, and personal goals

Step 3: Devise a continuing
learning plan

Step 3: Devise a continuing
learning plan Ensure you move with the times and stay relevant by keeping your skill set and knowledge current and validated

Step 4: Regularly question what
is likely to change over the next 5 years

Step 4: Regularly question what
is likely to change over the next 5 years This could include job titles, industry changes and new skill requirements. Make sure your long-term direction caters for this

Step 5: Continuously check-in with
and realign your goals with your definition of career success. Is it...

Step 5: Continuously check-in with
and realign your goals with your definition of career success. Is it... I want to start my own business

Step 5: Continuously check-in with
and realign your goals with your definition of career success. Is it... I want to start my own business I want to be CEO

Step 5: Continuously check-in with
and realign your goals with your definition of career success. Is it... I want to start my own business I want to be CEO I want to change industries or professions

Step 5: Continuously check-in with
and realign your goals with your definition of career success. Is it... I want to start my own business I want to be CEO I want to change industries or professions I want to make myself more marketable

Step 5: Continuously check-in with
and realign your goals with your definition of career success. Is it... I want to start my own business I want to be CEO I want to change industries or professions I want to make myself more marketable I want to take on more responsibilities

Step 5: Continuously check-in with
and realign your goals with your definition of career success. Is it... I want to start my own business I want to be CEO I want to change industries or professions I want to make myself more marketable I want to take on more responsibilities I want to earn a higher salary

Step 5: Continuously check-in with
and realign your goals with your definition of career success. Is it... I want to start my own business I want to be CEO I want to change industries or professions I want to make myself more marketable I want to take on more responsibilities I want to earn a higher salary I want to broaden my skill set and value

Step 5: Continuously check-in with
and realign your goals with your definition of career success. Is it... I want to start my own business I want to be CEO I want to change industries or professions I want to make myself more marketable I want to take on more responsibilities I want to earn a higher salary I want to broaden my skill set and value I want to get promoted

Step 6: and finally Stay
committed. Write a professional manifesto for the next 3 to 5 years

Step 6: and finally Stay
committed. Write a professional manifesto for the next 3 to 5 years Give it to colleagues, friends and families and ask them to hold you accountable to your goals

A career plan can be
seen as your roadmap to getting you where you want to be in five years time.

It is the direction you
will choose to move in, the decisions you will make, and the milestones you need to hit along the way, in order to achieve the success you want.

Your future starts now.

Want to know more?

Free Guide: Learn more about
successfully navigating the modern career landscape with GetSmarter’s 2014 Career Guide Download now

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