Closing the Gap on Your Career Goals

If you still picture a steady progression up the ladder when you think of your career goals, it is time to shift your thinking. For most people, climbing the career ladder is no longer an option. The working world has changed so dramatically that linear career paths rarely exist, except as historical symbols.

But, without those trusty rungs to show the way, how do you figure out the next step in your career? How do you determine if you need to go to business school or graduate school? How do you identify your next job?

You could employ the dartboard method, or a Magic 8 Ball. Or, instead of struggling to find the next rung on that mythical ladder, you could identify your long-term career goals, and then focus on closing the gap between today and your future goals. By focusing on the long-term, and the skills and experiences you need to gain, you will increase your options and give yourself flexibility to operate in today's chaotic working world.

To determine your career plan, first write down your long-term goal. Then, do a Career Gap Analysis, by following these four steps:

Step One

Divide a blank sheet of paper into three columns. At the top of the left column, write: "Current Skills and Experiences." At the top of the middle column, write: "The Gap." Finally, at the top of the column on the right, write "Future Needs."

Step Two

In the right column, Future Needs, list the skills, education, abilities, and experiences you will need to be successful in the future you envisioned when determining your long-term goals. For example, if your future goal is to start your own business, you will need the following: knowledge of how to write a business plan, basic accounting or financial analysis skills, the ability to manage a group of people, experience in writing new business proposals, and marketing skills.

Step Three

In the first column, Current Skills and Experiences,list all of the skills, education, abilities, and experiences you currently have to offer. When making your list, be comprehensive. Include what you have learned through volunteer experiences, hobbies,and seminars.

Step Four

In the middle column, The Gap, list the education, skills, or experiences you need to close the gap between where you are now and where you plan to be in the future.

Now that you have identified your long-term goals and the elements in the gap, instead of focusing on the title or hierarchy of your next job, focus on the skills and experiences you will gain to close the gap. For example, if you want to be a successful entrepreneur, you may look for a job that will strengthen your planning skills. You may consider an opportunity to work more closely with the marketing or sales department. Or, you may look for a specific type of leadership experience in your next job.

Don't overlook opportunities within your current organization. If your goal is to strengthen your skills -- instead of to climb that mythical ladder -- you may find a lot more options internally than in an outside organization. As a known quantity, your current organization is more likely to risk letting you experiment with a new field of expertise. So, a lateral move within your organization could give you the opportunity to gain new skills and experiences.

To close the gap, you can also look for experiences outside of your job. Build your entrepreneurial skills by take a workshop on business plans at your local Small Business Development Center. Volunteer to manage the financials for a small non-profit organization. Or, take some business classes at your local college or university.

By using a Career Gap Analysis, you can create your own unique, flexible career plan and banish the career ladder to the pages of history, where it belongs.

Shannon Bradford is a writer and coach, teaching people how to master their brains to succeed in their careers and businesses. She is the author of Brain Power (John Wiley & Sons, 2002). Take Shannon's free Career Minicourse at http://www.15minutecareer.com

---

How to Survive in Business Long Enough to Win

As a former human resources professional it has always intrigued... Read More

5 Proven Steps To Easily Master The Art Of The Interview And Get The Bartending Job Of Your Dreams!

Your mouth is dry, your palms are sweaty, your heart... Read More

Building a Solid Network

A client who has a fine arts degree wanted to... Read More

How to Turn a Job Search into a Career Find

The only way to find a new career is to... Read More

Conduct An Informational Interview

Informational interviews are designed to get as much information as... Read More

How You Can Find Freelance Writing Employment

How can you find writing jobs? Do you have proven... Read More

Dont Settle

Chuck was the best of the twenty-four candidates. Still, he... Read More

What To Do

Ever had that perfect life when everything seems perfect yet... Read More

Knowing and Guessing

The line between average and exceptional work performance is dotted... Read More

Personality Testing; Myth and Realities

It is commonly believed myth that personality testing instruments can... Read More

How To Pick The Best Career For You, Part 1

In Part One we'll look at how Positioning or "Coming... Read More

5 Things You Need To Know Before Deciding On A Certification Training

The right certification trainingTrainings vary a lot when it comes... Read More

Ideal Job and Handling Criticism

How many times have you been asked, "What is your... Read More

Get Off Your Butt and Out of the Rut

It's amazing to see so many people who are prepared... Read More

Write Resume Keywords That Gets Your Application Read

As children we often used to read stories where magical... Read More

Your Interview Secret Weapon

Have you ever been on a date where you had... Read More

Three Myths About Resume Writing

Your perspective on resumes ? what they are and how... Read More

Job Interviews & the Magic of Music

Can music help you with your next job interview? It... Read More

The Global Work Marketplace - The Revolution Of How Work Gets Done

Will cubicles be a distant memory for today's workforce? Will... Read More

The Chicken or the Egg?

Even before I checked my calendar on Monday... Read More

Why Do You Want This Job?

Why Do You Want This Job? Is it because any... Read More

What You Should Never Put on Your Resume

Liars Get Caught! What NOT to Put on Your Resume"Everybody... Read More

Before You Begin, Know What To Expect - How You Can Make a Living Proof Reading From Home

Proof reading from home is an excellent way to make... Read More

Get That Job: Mastering Job Interviews

I've heard it said?in fact, it might well have been... Read More

Bringing Our Family to Work

Let's face it, most of us consider professional success and... Read More

Get a Job! Tips for Organizing Your Resume

Whether you're a Vice President of Marketing or a recent... Read More

5 Ways to Drastically Improve Your Resume in 10 Minutes of Less

Follow these quick and easy tips to build yourself a... Read More

Sample Cover Letters ... The Hidden Pitfalls

You can benefit from sample cover letters as they can... Read More

Big Job Sites Vs The Small Ones

There is much to say about posting resumes on the... Read More

Interview Skills That Attract Offers

An interviewer's mission is to assess your qualifications compared to... Read More

Telecommuting Cover Letters

Question: How do I market myself online?Answer: With a stellar... Read More

Turning Their Loss Into Your Job Gain

It isn't the end of the world, even if it... Read More

Whiners Need Not Apply

Sometime last summer I decided to host a pity party... Read More