“Where do you see yourself in five years?” may be a common interview question, but surprisingly not everyone has a realistic career plan. It is more common for some people to have a general idea on their career goal, while others do not even have a clue regarding their long-term goals.
Research shows that two out of five British employees don't have a career plan. A realistic and tangible career plan is extremely crucial for every working professional. A five-year career plan is a long-term goal that is specifically designed to take charge of your career. Here are a few steps to create a realistic five-year career plan.
First, identify your goals specifically. You have to take some time and think as thoroughly as you can, and you need to be honest with yourself, career-wise. If you want to be in the health science sector, for instance, specify which field in the health science that you want to be in another five years. You can also specify which company you want to work with in the future.
Once you have decided on your goals, do some research on how to navigate towards your goals. If you lack skills and experience, work through how to improve and better equip yourself so that you are on the right track towards achieving your goal. For example, talk to the right people in the field or career coach. If you lack the skills, take an evening class or read around the subject area that you want to improve.
After planning and researching, you should write down your career plan. By writing down your goals, your motivation is likely to be consistent, and you can also break down your goals into smaller steps. One way to do this is to send a career plan to yourself via email.
Finally, always review your plan regularly. It is also essential for you to make small progress towards your goals from time to time. You should monitor your progress every few months so that you are on the right track of your plan. However, as nothing in life is set in stone, you can also adjust your career plan accordingly.
In conclusion, a realistic five-year career plan is vital for working adults. Without a career plan is akin to walking without a direction; hence we will bound to get lost in life. Creating a career plan is easy, but always remember to follow through your goals and readjust when necessary.
Identify your goals specifically
Do some research on steps to achieve your goals
Write down your career plan
Review your career plan regularly
