Why should you have a career plan?

When going on holiday you always have a plan, right?; What time to get to the airport, check in time and boarding time, how to get from the airport to your place of stay etc. If we can plan a holiday so meticulously, why can’t we do the same for a career? It’s simple. We can, but we just don’t. A career plan encourages us to set goals, identify weak areas, make decisions and most importantly take action! Something as important as a career should not be left to the whims of fate, it should be carefully chosen and planned out so that you are in the best position when it comes to looking for a job. Mahatma Ghandi once said, ‘The future depends on what you do today’ and this is especially true for building a career. Having a plan today will help you identify what you need to work on in order to be ready for a specific role in the future. It’s also important to note that a career plan doesn’t only have to be used when you are unemployed. You can still make one whilst working that can help you plan what you need to do to progress within a career. E.g. Progression into manager at a store, or becoming a partner at a law firm. People often put career planning to the side because it seems like a long and daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be. Below are 4 simple steps to help you create your career plan: •    Identify the job you are aiming for and attributes needed •    Analyse what...