Career Planning-Essential for a Successful Career

Hi All,

We all wish to look out for a job/career that would best suit us,for that what is most important is "Career Planning". Before you set out to look for a job,you will need to plan your career carefully.When you apply for a job you will be competing with many applicants.To be successful,it is very important to sell yourself well.But first,you must analyse yourself to understand what kind of a job you want to take up and how you want to plan your career.Career Planning will require Self Analysis,Career Analysis and Job Analysis.

1) Self Analysis- This is important in order to identify one's own strengths,weaknesses,achievements etc.Self Analysis is essential before formatting one's resume so that one can highlight one's strengths,outstanding performances and achievements.The following questions will help you in analysing yourself to understand who you are and what is it that you aim to be:

A) The kind of person I am:

i) Do I have a high level of aspiration?

ii) Do I communicate well?

iii) Am I dependable?

iv) Am I energetic?

v) Am I free of personal habits that would interfere with my work?

vi) Am I a leader?

vii) Am I financially independant?

viii) Can I work in a team?

ix) Am I self-confident(without being egoistical)?

x) Do I spend time wisely?

B) My Aptitudes:

i) Do I have a high verbal aptitude (written and oral)?

ii) Do I have a high aptitude for learning foreign languages?

iii) Do I have a high mechanical aptitude?

iv)Do I have a high aptitude for problem solving?

C) My Achievements:

i) In which courses have I excelled?

ii) Which courses have been most difficult?

iii) Have I done well with problem solving courses?

iv) What have been my achievements in extra curricular activities,in jobs i have held or in volunteer work?

D) My Interests:

i) What are my academic interests?

ii) Which professional magazine or journal do I find most appealing?

iii) What type of books or magazines do i read for pleasure?

iii) How do i prefer to spend leisure time?

iv) Do i like to travel?

E) My Education:

i) What is my area of specialization?

ii) What special training have i received-(internships,workshops,seminars)?

iii) What special skills do i possess (foreign language,comupter competency etc)?

F) My Experience:

i) What part-time jobs have I held?

ii) What full-time jobs have I held?

2) Career Analysis:

Before applying for a job,you also need to do an analysis of your career.What are your aspirations,and what is it that you particularly look for in a job?When applying for a job,analyse it to see if you understand the job profile correctly.The following is a list of questions that will help you analyse the available career option:

A) Type of career (e.g.,Accountancy,Finance,Sales etc.):

i) What aptitudes (quantitative,verbal,mechanical) would be most beneficial?

ii) Is the occupation considered a "pressure" occupation?

iii) Are there any significant health hazards?

iv) Is relocation or frequent travel expected?

B) Preparation:

i) What are the academic requirements (degree,specialization)?

ii) What are the professional requirements (certificates)?

iii) Are continuing education or training program's expected and available?

iv) What experiences are considered essential?

C) Rewards:

i) What is the standard salary for the position you are applying for?

ii) Are there sgnificant opportunities for advancement in salary and responsibility?

D) Future of the field:

i) Is the field expected to expand or contract?

ii) Will the field be strongly influenced by changes in the technology?

iii) Is competition in the field increasing?

iv) Will changes in political administration or government al regulation have a significant impact on the field?

3) Job Analysis:

Before taking up a job,understand it thoroughly.Understand the role that the job requires you to play.Sometimes it can be helpful to talk to a person who is working in the same organization at a similar position.The following questions can give you a useful insight into the job profile:

i) What are the specific duties and responsibilities?

ii) Do the specified duties and responsibilities seem compatible with my personal characteristics,aptitudes,interests,dependabiltiy,leadership,aspirations,desire to work alone or with others,willingness to relocate or travel?

iii) Does my education satisfy the requirements of the position?will I be able to continue my education?

iv) Are my experiences directly related to the jobs specified duties and responsibilities?

Matching Personal Needs with Job Profile:

Before accepting a job offer,prioritize your needs and requirements and see for yourself whether the job fulfills them or not.It is generally rare to find a Job or Organization that will satisfy all your needs.Therefore,you must be able to decide what factors matter more to you and what factors can be overlooked.Taking up a job in an organization that needs resourses thay you do not have will only lead to problems for you and for the concerned company.

Therfore,be patient and decide and plan your career wisely,only then you can be succesful in your chosen career.

Regards,

Kavita