Career Development Process - Tips To Realize Your Career Goals

Career development is an avenue that a person must adhere to in order to prepare for, sustain and to advance in the careers they have chosen.

Before now, many big name companies had conferences that centered on the topic of career development for their employees. It was good for 2 reasons; it helped its employees gain the needed skills important to enhancing their future goals in their career.

Many companies will still educate their employees, however nowadays it is important for the individual to assume this responsibility by taking control of their own education and progress through career development. The more the person prepares himself the more chances he will have at advancement.

One of the most important things that a person can do is to examine the career development goals and the skills they possess. They should know what they are going to be, if they are good at organizing others, and can they work in one to one situations with their clients. Companies are interested in the skills their new employees will bring to the table.

The next aspect of career development is the decisions you will make about what career is best for you presently. An example would be, Joe wants to be a graphic artist, he knows he will need schooling and talent in the graphic arts, and maybe even some mathematics in his bag of tricks.

Once he knows what skills he can market in his career choice, then he can fully realize what areas will need tweaking if he is to move up in his career. In career development education is a key factor.

While deciding on classes to take to enhance your career it is a good idea to choose a few career development classes as well. You can do this at anytime during your career development process. These classes teach important skills such as writing the perfect resume, and may also recommend seminars or conferences that will further your career objectives.

Continuing Education is an important part of change; it makes you more prepared for the new avenues your company may want to explore.

There are many career development studies and surveys which watch for the stress levels of the employee. Companies want to have an idea of how well you will cope with stressful situations, whether or not you can get others to do their job effectively, are you a social or solitary person, Is he the type of person to explain problems to his employer, or hold it bottled inside, or to take it out on others.

There are many other things to consider, but here is a few to get you on the right track to your perfect career.

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Switching Careers: How to Manage the Process!

With the downturn in the economy switching careers has become much more common. The demand for some professions are disappearing or shrinking while others have increased. With this turmoil all around us changing careers can be a challenging task.

Switching careers from the relative safety of a long-held career into something completely new can be overwhelming. However, with the proper approach, some planning and avoiding some mistakes you can make the career switch to a job with a future and into something that you will enjoy.

Here are some ideas to help you get ready for the move, what actions to take and missteps to avoid.

1. Sell yourself on the move. Do your research and get excited about the prospect of switching careers. Do everything you can to walk the walk in the new career. Join appropriate career based organizations. Read and study what those in the new career do. Read their blogs and websites on a regular basis.

Go to career based conventions and other relevant meetings. Build your network of individuals currently working in the desired career. Add to your career switching network through your alumni association, and by searching on LinkedIn.

When you are ready to make the move you will have the groundwork to assist you in finding relevant job openings in your new career.

2. After researching a potential new career take an inventory of what you have to offer potential employers. What transferable skills are important?

Use your network to find out the possible needs employers are looking for in your new career. Now you have a list of what you have to offer and what the employers need. If there is a gap you may have some work to do.

3. Close the skills gap through added education and experience. College level courses can be taken. But not all education needs to be acquired in a classroom. Online learning is all around us. Self-study is another option. Perhaps a mentor can guide you in learning a desired skill. There may be workshops and seminars that you can attend.

You can add desired experience through your current employer. Volunteer to work with groups in other departments is one good choice. Working for an outside organization is another option.

4. The most important aspect of any plan to switch careers is to build a financial plan to assist and support your career change activity.

Switching careers may mean taking a lower paying position. It may be years until your income meets or exceeds your current compensation. Reduce your stress and make switching careers a more positive experience by getting your financial house in order. Reduce debt and other financial obligations. Defer making any substantial purchases.

Perhaps to close the financial gap you need to have another stream of income. A home based business or a part-time job might be the answer. Explore all your financial options, work through the issues and the career change will be much smoother.

Switching careers is not normally an overnight experience. With planning, some work and by taking a longer term view you chances of landing the desired job in the new career goes way up.

John Groth has changed careers seven times during his working life. Learn more about switching careers, job hunting and career planning at http://careersafter50.com. Discover how others over age 50, built winning career plans and found the right careers by effective career planning after 50.