Career planning is essential to achieving success in your chosen career. Whether you are aiming to be a bookkeeper in a small business or the finance director of a multinational corporation, you must know what is required of you to achieve your goal.

Planning

Planning is a key principle used by successful business people. Plans are formulated on a regular basis to control direction, make the best use of resources and measure progress.

Think of your career plan along the lines of a business plan. The key issues to cover are: What are my long-term career objectives? What will I want to get out of my job in the next five years or so? Do I need to study? If so, what for? What are my individual priorities?

These priorities and objectives may change over time and you need to check up from time to time to make sure you are on track.

Objectives

To formulate your career plan, you must first set your long-term goals or objectives. For example, in 10 years’ time, you may want to be the financial controller of a large commercial organisation.

To arrive at this objective, you must consider personal and professional aspirations. Aim high with whatever you set out to achieve, personally and professionally, but be realistic, as goals that are obviously unachievable can be demotivating.

Next week: Right steps, right attitude

Emma Charnock, regional director,

Hays Hong Kong and China

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Planning is needed to succeed