In our Career Mapping post last week, we talked about three steps you can take to help your employees think about their career paths.
Those three steps were to:
- Identify Opportunities
- Create a Plan
- Check in Regularly
Many of you wrote to us saying that you’d like to start mapping your own career path but aren’t quite sure how to use these three steps for yourself.
Today, we thought we’d go into a bit more detail to help you think about career mapping for yourself.
IDENTIFY OPPORTUNITIES.
If you’re having trouble identifying opportunities, consider the questions below.
When I’m happiest and most fulfilled (whether personal or professional):
- What are things I’m doing? What are the skills I’m using?
- What impact do I have?
- Who are the people I’m with?
- How am I interacting with others?
- How am I impacting others?
Once you’ve answered these questions, have a conversation with your manager to see if there are any special projects or opportunities for you to grow and help the company reach their goals.
CREATE A PLAN.
Create a plan and review it with your manager (or collaborate on it together).
Use questions like these to help you get started:
- What would you like to be doing in one year and how does this support the overall company success?
- What skills do you bring to the table and what skills (or experience) do you need to develop?
- What actions will you take to get more experience and develop your skills?
If your boss is too overwhelmed to support you with this work, think about finding a mentor. Is there someone in your company you respect who does work that interests you?
CHECK IN REGULARLY.
Ask your manager (or mentor) if you can carve out regular 1:1 time to review progress and look for additional opportunities to grow.
Discuss whether or not you’ll need to learn new skills or get additional experience. If you do, is there a budget for this at your company, or should you plan to use your personal funds?
Remember, the goal is to share your best thinking and in return, learn from them as well. You’ll want to review areas where you’ve been successful, where you’ve hit roadblocks, and what your priorities will be moving forward.
If you’re lucky enough to work in a company that proactively helps you think about your career path, that’s wonderful! Take full advantage of it. If not, lean in and take charge.
As you step in and lead in your own career,
look for opportunities that excite you
and explore ways to show your value
and create success.
We’re here if you need us!
If you’d like support strategizing about your career, contact us today.