Defining Your Career Trajectory

Taking a proactive approach to your career isn't just about finding the next job; it's about defining where you want to go and understanding the path to get there. It involves introspection, planning, and a commitment to ownership.

First, ask yourself some fundamental questions:

• What are your interests?

• What is your ultimate end goal?

• What genuinely excites you about a specific role or area?

• What do you want to achieve in the short term (1 year), medium term (5, 10 years), and long term (20 years)?

  
  

  

  
  

It's also crucial to understand your current motivation. Are you making a career change because you're running away from something or running toward something? If you're running away, consider if the issue might be with a specific manager or company rather than your chosen career track.

Next, assess your preferences regarding your role and environment. Do you aspire to be a strong individual contributor or lead others as a manager? Do your interests align with roles currently available within your organization? Do you want to stay at your current company or change?

Defining your path also means understanding the requirements to progress. You need to know the knowledge, skills, personal characteristics, and experience required for lateral moves, department transfers, or promotions. Identifying your own talents is a key part of this process.

Once you have a clearer picture, it's time to formalize it. Decide on your career goal destination and put your desired career path in writing for yourself. Being organized and specific in your roadmap outline is crucial to avoid common mistakes. Ensure your career goals align with your personal values to maintain direction and motivation.

Finally, be open to changing your pathway. You might encounter roadblocks or not land your dream job right away. Being flexible, adaptable, and open to continuously learning new skills is important. Consider options like contract work, freelancing or part time work to gain more experience when you are starting out.

By taking these steps to define your destination and initial route, you lay the essential groundwork for navigating your career more effectively.