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How to Develop a 5-Year Career Plan

• Mary McNevin, Ed. D.

Stop setting annual goals, and start thinking longer term.

Having a long-term plan for your career can help you reduce career-related stress, increase your perceived employability, and allow you to connect more deeply with your purpose. But how do you move beyond yearly career goals and create a five-year plan?

• Brainstorm. Start by thinking about how you want your career to develop and what you need to do to get there. This requires self-reflection. You’ll need to identify your primary goal, your passions, how your existing skills contribute to both those things, and your areas for improvement.
• Gather feedback. We’re not aways the best judges of our own capabilities and strengths. That’s why it can be important early in your planning process to gather feedback from your superiors, mentors, and peers. They may help you discover career opportunities you never considered for yourself, clue you into strengths you may be overlooking, and share insights regarding your areas for growth and development.
• Map it out. After doing some self-reflection and gathering feedback, it’s time to organize the information you’ve collected. Consider keeping track of your plan in PowerPoint. For example, slide 1 should outline the career goals you identified in your self-reflection. Slide 2 should list out the skills you already have and the ones you would need to achieve your ultimate career goals. Slide 3 should highlight the development activities you plan to pursue over the next five years to help you achieve your goals. And slide 4 should present all of the possible obstacles that might prevent you from achieving your goal and how to address those challenges.
• Iterate. Unlike year-long goal setting, the process of creating a five-year plan is never complete. One way to ensure you’re keeping your plan updated is to set a quarterly calendar reminder. This will help you address any new developments in your life or career and make changes where necessary.

“Where do you see yourself in five years?”

• MM Mary McNevin, Ed. D. is an executive coach, talent advisor, and former CLO and talent executive. She is a growth-oriented talent management executive with 20+ years of experience in learning, talent management, succession planning, and strategy development. Dr. McNevin earned her doctorate (EdD) from the University of Pennsylvania through an interdisciplinary program between the Graduate School of Education and the Wharton School of Business. Her dissertation focused on Executive Coaching in the C-suite. Dr. McNevin also holds an MBA from the University of Wisconsin – Madison and an MS in Education from the University of Pennsylvania.

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How to Create a Career Development Plan

Most employees will only stay at company long-term if they’re able to grow their careers. To do so, they’re eager and willing to learn new skills that can benefit them in their roles and contribute to your company. Consider:

• 94% of employees would stay at a company longer if it invested in helping them learn, CNBC reports.
• 74% of workers are willing to re-train or learn new skills in order to remain employable, according to PwC’s “Workforce of the future: the competing forces shaping 2030” report.
• 59% of Millennials say opportunities to learn and grow are extremely important to them when they’re applying for jobs, according to Gallup’s “How Millennials Want to Work and Live” report.

One way to attract top candidates and retain the ones you’ve hired is to offer employees a career development plan. Career development plans show your employees you’re invested in their long-term success, which could motivate them to work harder and stay with your company longer.

This guide explains what a career development plan is, how to create them for employees and how to include learning and development in career development plans.

What Is a Career Development Plan?

Think of a career development plan like a roadmap that details your workforce’s career journeys with your company. A career development plan is a written document that identifies:

• Where an employee is now
• Their long-term career goals with your company
• The steps and roles they can take along the way to attain their goals

The career development plan can be as detailed as the supervisor and worker want it to be. Along the way to each milestone or achievement, there might be details like:

• Specific accomplishments
• Job assignments and projects to work on
• Education or training to complete
• Credentials or certifications to obtain
• Developmental activities

A worker may also identify certain supervisors or trainers they want to work with to learn new skills from, or specific programs to take to expand their knowledge. They might also choose tasks to do and skills to learn that address any weaknesses they have. These can all be added to a career development plan.

Career development plans are beneficial to have because you can grow your talent from within, which can save you on hiring and recruiting costs. You’ll also gain a clearer view into the skills your workforce possesses, so you can hire based on gaps you need to fill in.

You can mention career development plans as early as during the recruiting and hiring phase. You might consider enlisting your human resources team to create a template for employee career development plans, so they’re equitable throughout the workforce.

An ideal manager for the career development plan is each worker’s supervisor, since they have direct contact with the worker. Also, managers account for at least 70% of variance in employee engagement , according to Gallup research. Since managers see the day-to-day progression of those they manage, it makes sense to have them involved.

In the creation phase of a career development plan, the worker should understand the company goals and vision so they make sure what they want to achieve aligns with overall business goals.

The manager should ask the employee what they feel their strengths are, so those are the focus of the career development plan. Gallup reports strengths-based development results in a 9% to 15% increase in engaged employees . Throughout the career development plan creation process, the manager should ask the employee how they feel they can apply their strengths to each role.

Managers should ask employees what they want to learn in order to achieve their goals. You might offer corporate training programs and then plug employees into relevant ones that align with their learning objectives. Or, you could offer to cover part or all of tuition costs for online business programs . Ideally, education that’s completed may lead to increased responsibilities or role titles along the career development plan.

Write out a plan that details steps that include ways to measure success and deadlines to aspire to. The plan can span a year, a couple years and up to five years or more so the employee stays engaged and there are expected check-ins to monitor progress. Along the plan, identify potential mentors or trainers at work who can also work with the employee to develop their skills.

Make sure the manager establishes regular check-ins with the employee so together, they can consider career development plan progress, obstacles and achievements. Career development plans should be adaptable, so that the plan can change according to progress. Additionally, an employee may learn that their goals are evolving, so changes in the plan can accommodate those new goals.

Measure Career Development Plan Success

Before you begin a career development plan program, think about your goals as an organization. Do you want to increase employee engagement? Boost retention? Attract higher-quality talent?

Create ways to measure your career development plan program. Ask for input from managers and current and leaving employees about what they think of the program, so you can also evolve your strategy over time.

Career development plans that include access to training and development can strengthen your workforce. Wharton Online offers corporate training programs in subjects like leadership and strategic management for groups of at least 100 individuals. You can customize your learning platform based on your organization’s goals. Contact us for information.

The Wharton School is accredited by the International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET) and is authorized to issue the IACET CEU.

Career development plan  

Julia Kuzmina

Content Marketing Specialist

julia.kuzmina@valamis.com

February 1, 2023 · updated April 3, 2024

14 minute read

The idea of an employee remaining in the same role for the entirety of their career seems less relevant with each passing year.

Employees are now looking for more from their professional lives, and employers see benefits in helping them. Organizations can prevent burnout by introducing career development plans and keeping staff motivated with new and exciting challenges. As a company grows, so should its employees.

What is a career development plan?

• The purpose of a career development plannning

Why career development is important

How organizations can support employee career development, how to create a personalized career development plan for an employee.

• When to start thinking about career development plan
• Career development plan example (template)

A career development plan is a personalized roadmap designed to help employees achieve professional goals. It typically consists of short- and long-term goals related to each employee’s specific strengths and weaknesses, their current role, future ambitions, and the organization’s requirements.

While a career development plan can take several formats, they often incorporate a series of formal and informal steps an employee should undertake to improve their professional skills, increase their workplace value, and progress in their career . This could be by expanding their current role and taking on more responsibility or transitioning to a new position.

The personalized nature of career development plans is crucial to their success. Every employee is unique, with different skills, strengths, and potential within a business and other wants and needs from their professional life. Organizations must work with employees to design a career development plan that benefits both parties.

The following is a generalized approach to creating and maintaining a career development plan:

• Starting point – where the employee is in their career and an assessment of their current skillset, values, and aspirations
• Ideal career – what they want to achieve in their career, defining specific goals and objectives
• The difference – skill gaps they need to overcome to transition from their current role to their ideal role
• The path – a plan to bridge the gap; this defines a written career plan with specific steps the employee needs to accomplish
• Review – as progression occurs, employees and organizations must review and reshape career development plans based on new factors.

The purpose of a career development plan

A career development plan creates a written record of what an employee wants to achieve. This record can have a different purpose for employees and employers.

The purpose for employees

• help them define career goals and organize/plan the steps they need to take to progress. It also helps employees understand the potential for internal mobility and how their goals align with the organization.

The purpose for companies

• career development plans play a critical role in workforce planning and talent management , acting as a tool for HR departments to design future training programs. With a clear understanding of each employee’s career goals, organizations can work with them to achieve their potential and increase the value they generate for the company.

Career development plan template

This template helps employees and bosses plan together for career growth: set goals, assess skills, and make a plan.

The importance for employees

• Career development planning helps employees map out their future, organizing and identifying the steps they should take to achieve their professional goals . This includes connecting longer-term objectives with day-to-day activities, growing professionally, and setting achievable milestones.
• These all help enhance motivation and improve job performance , aiding the likelihood of achieving the long-term aims of the career development plan. Sometimes just having a future goal in mind improves present behaviors to the extent that the goal itself is more attainable. For example, with a clear career development plan in place, employees can focus on their professional development and target the specific skills they need to improve.
• Career development plans show employees what to do to achieve their dream job .
• They also improve transparency between employees and employers . Therefore, when mutually beneficial, organizations can invest in resources (e.g., educational material, external learning opportunities, etc.) to help employees improve themselves and progress in their careers.

The importance of learning opportunities and career planning and development has only increased in recent years.

Glint’s 2021 Employee Well-Being Report ranked “ opportunities to learn and grow ” as the number one driver of excellent workplace culture, up eight spots from the previous year.

In the past, in-person interactions were the primary driver of workplace culture. Team meals, drinks after work, and impromptu chats in the hallway are all examples of interaction significantly reduced with new remote and hybrid work models

The pandemic removed the importance of in-person interactions combined with new technologies and accelerated digital transformation. It created a less certain future, with employees more concerned about job security.

With more significant uncertainty, it is unsurprising that drivers of culture related to employee growth have risen in importance. Employees now want more than a paycheck and a pat from their employer. They want to perform their work while also getting the opportunity to work on themselves, developing into better employees to help reduce job insecurity worries.

Career development plans and associated training programs help staff see their role as more than just a job. It is a path to a more secure or financially rewarding position.

The importance for companies

Unfortunately, many companies neglect career development plans and employee training programs to the detriment of their workforce. Investing in employee development is critical to maintaining a vibrant and effective team. Achievers’ 2020 Engagement & Retention Report found:

• 46% of employees feel only moderately valued by their bosses
• 30% feel “not very” or “not at all” valued
• 26% feel that being undervalued is the most significant barrier to becoming engaged in their work.

One way to dispel these feelings is to invest in employee development , demonstrating that the company values workers. With active L&D programs, organizations can boost employee retention and hold on to their most valuable team members.

LinkedIn found that 94% of employees would continue to work at a company for longer if they invested in their learning and development. For ten years, the Work Institute has ranked career development concerns as the number one reason employees leave organizations .

Employers need to treat and guide their L&D programs with career development plans because it helps attract and retain top talent.

This is before they even consider the potential performance benefits of career development programs and how they can inform upskilling and reskilling initiatives.

Perhaps just as bad as talented employees leaving is unskilled, unmotivated employees remaining at your company. Gallup’s 2022 report on the “State of the Global Workplace” estimates that actively disengaged employees cost the global economy $7.8 trillion, 11% of the world’s GDP . In contrast, the benefits of high employee engagement are startling. By analyzing over one hundred thousand business units and comparing the top quartile to the bottom quartile, Gallup found:

• 23% higher profitability
• 14-18% higher productivity
• 10% higher customer loyalty

Thankfully employee development is a crucial driver of engagement, with previous studies showing that 80% of employees are more engaged when learning new skills .

Employee upskilling programs make people better at their job, boosting engagement and arming staff with the skills needed to enhance company performance.

Career development plans ensure that upskilling targets people with the right skills. With individualized training based on an employee’s long-term goals, companies can build a talented, engaged, and happy workforce capable of delivering success.

Connecting skills and learning

Valamis provides you with skills management and learning tools in the same platform, allowing you to tailor your content to existing needs.

Career development plans benefit both the employer and the employee when implemented correctly. Therefore, you should work with your staff to help them accomplish their goals and become well-rounded, successful employees.

While employees must take responsibility and drive their own career development, organizations can also create an environment conducive to learning new skills. This includes:

• Developing an additive learning ecosystem that can enhance employees’ experience regardless of how they like to learn.
• Providing details about the employee’s strengths and weaknesses, where they need to focus their efforts, and the outcomes they should aim for.
• Considering the full range and potential of career development for a specific employee. This can mean not tunneling on hard skills that produce dramatic transformations in their capabilities but also taking into account soft, interpersonal skills such as communication and organizational abilities.
• Acknowledging progress by linking career development objectives and incorporating new skills to tangible workplace benefits. This could be a higher salary based on their unique contributions or transitioning to a new, more-rewarding role aligned with their career aims.

The digital learning ecosystem workbook

You’ll get a list of useful questions and tasks to help you know your learning space better and ways to improve it.

1. Identify employees ready for a career development plan

Producing a personalized plan for every employee is a significant undertaking, and for many employees, it may yield little value to the organization. It is always beneficial to focus time and resources where they will be most effective; this could be people who:

• Show leadership potential
• Have talent but seem disillusioned in their current role
• Demonstrate the enthusiasm and drive to learn new skills
• Want to take on new challenges
• Are the highest performers in the organization

Discuss with managers and supervisors from each department to identify candidates who would benefit the most from a dedicated career development plan. Reach out to the candidates and gauge their willingness to work closely with the organization and build a new career development plan.

2. Ask them to prepare information about themselves

While it is a team effort between the organization and the employee, ultimately, the individual will drive the success of their career development plan. Therefore, you should ask them to start preparing information about their current role and what they want to achieve in their career.

Essential questions for employees to ask themselves before working on a career development plan include:

• What are your career goals?
• Where do you see yourself in five or ten years?
• What skills or experiences do you need to achieve your goal?
• What is currently holding you back in your professional life?
• What could your employer do to help your career?

Download a Career Development Plan Template [PDF/ DOCX]

To simplify the process, employers should provide a self-assessment form containing all the information they need to start designing their career development plan. This includes questions identifying the specific skills they currently have and what they will need moving forward.

3. Arrange a meeting

The next step is to arrange a meeting between key stakeholders, the employee themselves, their line manager or direct superior, and often a member of the HR department .

During the meeting, the parties should go over the information compiled in step 2 and begin to define critical components of the career development plan.

This includes a clear vision of the employee’s professional interests and long-term career goals .

While it is generally easier to define start and end points, the aim of the meeting should be to begin to understand the various steps along the way. This means breaking down long-term objectives into a series of shorter-term goals and how they can be achieved.

Gather information on how the employee likes to learn and consider what their future L&D program may look like with input from HR personnel.

4. Assess what is achievable

After meeting with the employee, the organization (in particular, the manager involved) needs to determine what they can achieve while working for them.

That means assessing their current skills, the employee potential, and critically what the organization needs from its workforce. For example, only some employees can have a career progressing to the c-suite.

Consult with relevant stakeholders and evaluate career development objectives that are achievable at the organization.

Identify the resources required to help the employee progress towards their career goals and determine whether they are currently present within the organization. In many instances, you will also need to look externally (i.e., external education and learning experiences).

5. Work together to design the career development plan

Discuss with the employee and learn how the organization could best support their career development, including the potential resources available. Then start working together to produce a realistic career development plan that helps them achieve their goals.

While there are many potential forms a career development plan can take, critical factors you should include are:

• The employee’s starting point (a summary statement followed by their current education, training, and job assignment)
• Long-term career goals (over five years)
• Short-term career goals (less than five years)
• The development activities to put them in a position to achieve these goals

Important tips to remember when designing a career development plan include:

• Personalize – Ensure the final plan is tailored to each employee, considering their unique skillset and what they want to achieve.
• Be Flexible – Remember that an employee’s aspirations will likely change during their career, especially early on. While you can design a great initial career development plan, don’t make the mistake of sticking too closely to it. If the employee finds a new passion or stumbles into an area they excel, don’t be afraid to revise the plan to consider new factors.
• Tracking progress – Every plan needs to consider how the employee’s progress will be monitored. This could include incentives, such as a promotion, upon achieving a certain level of performance or demonstrating the value of the L&D investment made in them.

6. Implement and review

Finally comes the exciting part of implementing the career development plan. Ensure all stakeholders are happy with the program’s current form, then let the development begin.

While you can take steps to support each employee along their career development journey, success has to be driven by the individual.

Make sure to check back with each employee, scheduling regular sessions to determine their progress and review any potential updates to the plan.

Using learning metrics or KPIs, you must also assess employee improvements and training effectiveness. With metrics in place to track behavior, you can determine the return on investment for your L&D efforts.

Read more about metrics in our recent blogs: 10 Valuable Training Metrics to Know How to Measure and Evaluate Training Effectiveness

When to start thinking about a career development plan?

While employees should continuously evaluate their skills, workplace experience, and career progression, there are better times for employers to engage with them to produce a more formal career development program.

Often a good time to start thinking about a career development plan is once an employee begins to impress management . When they have demonstrated their capabilities and become a valuable team member, management and HR should consider working on a personalized career development plan that maximizes an employee’s potential within the organization.

Another good time to start working on a career development plan is after a significant milestone at the company . Perhaps they land a major client or design a new workflow to improve operations. Whatever the specific reason, by setting future development goals, you can keep essential staff motivated and engaged and prevent them from drifting or looking for a new challenge at another company.

Career Development Plan Example (TEMPLATE)

Download our template, which will be a good tool for working on a plan. It helps key stakeholders keep all the data in one place.

You can use the template in different formats.

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Career development plans: How to create one and more

Here’s how having a goal-oriented road map helps build a path to success.

You wouldn’t set off on a road trip without checking a map, so why would you approach your job each day without a clear sense of purpose and direction? Career development plans are all about the big picture. They provide the answer to the most common interview question of all time: Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

But having a career development plan is about more than just taking a long-term view. Knowing where you want to end up in the future helps to focus your efforts in the present. Whether it’s your ambition to be promoted within your organization or to start your own enterprise, a solid career development plan helps you make informed decisions about your professional path and to understand where it might lead.

When you’re ready to take your next steps in business, it pays to think about the benefits of having flexible office space designed around your needs. WeWork provides beautifully designed workplace solutions built with flexibility in mind, offering inspirational workspace environments in locations around the world that encourage creativity and foster innovation.

For even more flexibility, WeWork All Access and WeWork On Demand let you and your teams access workspaces and meeting rooms in hundreds of sites across multiple cities, allowing teams to do their best work wherever they are.

What is a career development plan?

A career development plan is a document outlining the goals an employee hopes to achieve in their current role and beyond. It can be created solely by the employee, or with guidance and direction from a manager, and it sets out a road map to help guide them through the next stages of their professional journey.

Why create a career development plan?

You don’t have to be an employee of an organization to benefit from one. As with so many other aspects of life—whether you’re building a new business from scratch, managing your personal finances, or trying to live more healthily—simply having a vision for the future and an idea of how to get there is often the first step toward realizing those goals.

In business, a career development plan can motivate employees toward their next professional milestone. A career development plan sets out a series of achievable short-term objectives, leading to one or more long-term goals, and describes the experience, training, and actions needed to hit those targets and ultimately progress within the organization.

Benefits of having a career development plan

Career development plans have been shown to have a positive impact on employee motivation and professional outcomes. Those who use them tend to report greater success in their field, and a better relationship with their respective mentors.

There are benefits to having a well-mapped out career path, even if you don’t end up following it to the letter. Some of the stated benefits of having a career development plan include:

• A sense of purpose and direction
• Improved focus and motivation
• Increased job satisfaction and commitment to tasks
• Better visibility within the wider organization
• More opportunities for career progression

How to write a career development plan step-by-step

The process of creating a career development plan will vary depending on the kind of work you do, as well as your individual circumstances, your goals, and your personal experiences. However, there are some basic steps you can take to help ensure your career plan is as effective as possible.

1. Define your goals

The first step in creating a career development plan is to define your goals . Use the SMART rules to make these clear and unambiguous. Your objectives should be Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Timely. 

“Take on more managerial responsibilities” is too vague an aspiration to be useful in a career development plan. “Earn a promotion to senior department manager within two years” is a solid target to aim for.

2. Identify your skills

Once you’ve defined your goals, the next step is to outline the exact steps and skills needed to achieve them. This part of the process is all about preparation and planning, and requires an understanding of the hurdles you might face as you make progress toward your objectives.

For example, if your goal is to be promoted to senior department manager, you might need to complete a leadership and management training course first. If you’re aiming to launch your own business, you might need to raise a specific amount of cash.

3. Build a timeline

Once you’ve fleshed out the interim steps needed to reach your long-term goals, it’s time to fit your career development plan into a timeline. Without one, it’s too easy to become sidetracked by smaller challenges and lose sight of the finish line .

Start with any fixed deadlines and work around those. For instance, if your company offers promotions only every three years, your career development plan will naturally progress toward that point in time. Work backward from that point, and be realistic about what you can achieve in the timeframe you have.

4. Track your progress

Review your career development plan often and use it as a benchmark to track the progress you’ve made over months and years. 

Remember that your plan isn’t set in stone : Circumstances can change, priorities can shift, and goals can evolve, so it’s important to keep your plan up to date. A career development plan should be rigid enough to be useful, but flexible enough to adapt to new situations.

Career development plans for employees

Lots of companies already have basic career development plans in place for new hires, so if you’re an employee, your manager may be able to share one with you. If not, nothing is stopping you from creating your own career development plan and working toward specific objectives within the organization.

If you decide to create your own career development plan, start by seeking feedback and guidance from your employer. Find out what opportunities are available to you and what kind of training, mentorship, and development would be most beneficial for your career.

Related articles

Career development plans for employers: The role of HR

If you’re an employer, you have a responsibility to help your employees develop their talents and advance in their careers. After all, it’s in your interest to have a workforce that’s motivated, loyal , skilled, and engaged.

Your HR department can create a template career development plan for new employees, who can then personalize and add to the plan once they’ve found their feet within the company. By working together, you can make certain that your workforce is equipped with the skills and knowledge they need to move forward in their careers while ensuring that your business meets its long-term goals.

Steve Hogarty is a writer and journalist based in London. He is the travel editor of City AM newspaper and the deputy editor of City AM Magazine , where his work focuses on technology, travel, and entertainment.

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Home » Business Cycle » Create a career development plan

Setting career development goals to live your fullest life

When you think of someone whose career you admire, what do you think about? Chances are, you think about where they are now. Their title. Their salary. Their list of achievements. But the truth is, they weren’t always where they are today – they started out at the bottom and worked their way up with a career development plan . When you know how to create a development plan for your career , you’re able to do what your heroes once did: leverage your assets to cr eate success. 

The secret behind building a career development plan is taking responsibility for your own professional growth . No one is going to come in with a magic wand and give you y our own business or ensure you’ll achieve a leadership role at your current company – you have to create a career development plan for yourself. Unsure of where to begin? Here’s how to set goals for growing your career and follow through on them.

Career development: A tool for living your best life

What is career development? It depends on who you ask. Young professionals may equate making a career development plan with making more money . Small business owners likely see career development as a tool for enhancing the lives of employers and employees alike, since fulfilling careers create happy, hard-working employees. For people at any stage in their career, the prospect of building a career development plan often sparks mixed emotions, from excitement to apprehension about all the unknowns. So when we ask what is career development, what we’re really getting at i s values . 

Retain rockstar staff with a career development plan

Career development planning is critical for individuals’ job fulfillment, but it’s also a powerful tool for employee retention . When building a career development plan is part of your company’s staffing strategy, this adds immeasurable value to your business. At its core, career development planning means honoring your value (and your team’s value) in the workforce. In a value-driven staffing relationship, employees do their best work, since they feel their employer appreciates them and wants them to be successful. As an employer, when you meet your staff’s needs through world-class career development programming, you’re forming the backbone of a healthy, productive workplace.

How to create a development plan for your career: Guiding principles

The Society for Human Resource Management outlines methods for creating an effective career development plan to propel your career forward. Whe n you’re learning how to create a development plan for your career , keep the following principles in mind for progressing within an organization or field.

1. Explore your career ladders

Career development is commonly thought of as making progress within an organization. Career ladders create a vertical path up a company’s hierarchy. With this type of career development plan, you achieve career growth with each promotion to the next tier.

2. Consider your career paths

When building a career development plan, you must also consider the career paths available to you. Unlike career ladders, which are vertical, career paths explore options in all directions, potentially in multiple organizations. To find your career path, look beyond the obvious career ladders to the more nuanced options, like horizontal career lattices, dual career ladders and encore careers. Examining multi-dimensional career development paths provides more options for discovering what really inspires you .

3. Put the “care” in “career”

You must align your career development plan with your nature – your strengths and passions, which form the quintessential “you.” Do you bring artistic flair to your business? Managerial skills? Entrepreneurial thinking? Your contributions create a competitive edge that sets you apart from the rest.

4. Set goals for your career

In order to learn how to create a development plan for your career , you must set goals for yourself. Where are you in your professional journey right now and where do you want to be? Don’t just make up a vague goal like “get a promotion.” Think of a specific goal you can track. For instance, decide you want to be vice president of a Fortune 500 company in the next 10 years. Pick an objective that’s within the realm of possibility that you can realistically begin working toward.

Also, as with setting any goal, you need to think of t he purpose behind y our career development goals. Why do you want to secure this position? Is it because you want to provide for your family? Are you seeking financial freedom ? When you have a larger inspiration in mind, you’ll find it easier to keep persisting, even when circumstances become challenging or you hit a plateau . Setting a trackable goal with meaning behind it – what Tony refers to as a SMART goal – is a strategy that works in regards to keeping one inspired and on track in their career development.

5. Strategize to achieve your goals

Now that you have your goal in mind, it’s time to begin building a career development plan . How will you become vice president in the next 10 years or start your own entrep reneurial endeavor that will be talkably different ? Be realistic, but don’t be afraid to stretch. As Tony Robbins says: Most people overestimate what they can do in a year and they underestimate what they can do in two or three decades.

Think about the changes you must make right away in order to set your career development plan into motion. What are the intermediate steps between your current position and the one you want? After you’ve identified your purpose, establish the steps needed to get to your end goal and hold yourself accountable along the way.

6. Find the tools you need

When you’re mastering how to create a development plan for your career , you can’t do everything on your own. Even though self-reliance is a huge factor when it comes to moving forward in your career, you still need the tools and strategies necessary to succeed. Online courses, educational classes, podcasts , meet-up groups and immersive business seminars are all great ways to make progress building a career development plan . Find out what resources your company offers employees to help them achieve their career development goals. Look into the types of skill-building workshops and seminars that would be most beneficial to you. At the end of the day, it’s not about how many resources you have, but how resourceful you can be with what you have access to.

7. Connect with others

Creating a successful career development plan comes down to your personal accomplishments, but it is rarely a solo effort. One great way to make progress toward your career development goals is to connect with others. This could be turning to peers for support and mutual reassurance. It could be finding a mentor w hose success you admire. It could be working with a coach who understands your goals and helps you achieve them. It could even be studying the career trajectory of someone you don’t know and building a career development plan modeled after theirs.

Building a career development plan step by step

When you put the following step-by-step process into action , building a career development plan becomes much more straightforward. Here are eight steps you can take to maximize your chances of career development plan success.

Write down your primary career development goals. As mentioned above, make sure your goals are clear and trackable. When you’re setting your goals, remember that nothing is out of reach. Don’t let your self-doubt hold you back from aiming high. Now is the time to prac tice building confidence – in yourself, your future and your ability to achieve any outcome you want. 

Evaluate your goals and determine which ones to include in your long-term professional plan. Unlike your short-term goals, this is where you would ultimately like your career to end up. Think of it as the legacy you create . By differentiating between short- and long-term goals, you’re able to see the forest through the trees, pace yourself and work strategically. If you don’t reach one of your short-term goals, realize that you haven’t failed – you’ve just learned an unexpected lesson that will propel you to success. 

Identify the barriers between both your short-term and long-term goals. Be aware that these barriers are often limiting beliefs or other mindset issues. When you’re learning how to create a development plan for your career , remember th at the law of attraction is at play. You attract what you focus on, and when you want something badly enough, that focus comes naturally. So don’t let barriers deter you from pursuing the fulfilling career you dese rve.

List two to three activities that will help you reach each goal. Ideas include taking a training course or cultivating a relationship with a specific mentor . By creating a list of tangible strategies, you make your goals actionable. If a strategy doesn’t produce the results you want, give yourself an A for effort and try a different technique. By empowering yourself, you’re able to increase your sense of self-efficacy in building a career development plan . 

Identify tasks in your current position that are harmonious with your career development plan . If your current role entails writing (and you enjoy writing), h ow can you increase or emphasize the writing components of your job ? This approach is a key tactic for leveraging the resources you have to create bigger and better outcomes.  

Identify tasks in your current position that are not contributing to your career development goals. How can you reduce them or eliminate them completely? In work and life, if an action doesn’t contribute to your ultim ate purpose, you must reprioritize it. The same is true when you’re learning how to create a development plan for your career . 

Write down any additional experience, knowledge or skills you must acquire to achieve your career goals . This is when building a career development plan starts to feel real. You’re at a point where you can pinpoint precisely what to do to bridge the gaps between where you are now and where you want to be. When you know exactly what’s needed, you’re able to seek out and implement those resources. 

As with anything in life, if you do not have a method for assessing your career development plan , you are planning to fail. Establish how and when you will monitor progress toward your goals. If your goal is to make an additional $5,000 by the end of next year, measure your progress quarterly so you can adjust your strategy as needed. If your goal is to expand your professional network, assess your progress weekly by counting the number of new contacts you’ve made that week. When you have a plan for assessing your progress, failures aren’t fail ures – they ’re indicators that a change of course is needed.

Ready to create a successful career development plan?

Creating a career development plan is well worth the effort. It’s your tool for getting from where you are to where you want to be. Craft a succinct career path to reach your goals with Tony Robbins’ Goal Setting Workshop .

© 2024 Robbins Research International, Inc. All rights reserved.

Career Development .

Career development: definition, planning & resources, career development definition.

Career development is the progression of short-term steps taken to achieve long-term professional goals. It involves the building of role-specific skill sets, and can include taking night classes, networking, seeking out a mentor and taking on new responsibilities in your current job. Effective career development requires a thoughtful approach: decide on a career goal, then map out the experience, competencies and connections you’ll need to get there.

What Is Career Development?

Career development is the process of learning and utilizing short-term skills to progress toward long-term professional goals. This process is often lifelong and involves steadily reaching milestones specific to your designated career path. Much of career development calls for reflection and the exploration of purpose in your work, and is the foundation for achieving larger career growth . 

A career path can be visualized as a ladder, with each rung symbolizing the level of a role on the path. Landing a job is a  paramount first step, but odds are you may not want to stay at the entry level forever. Moving up the career ladder and earning promotions is easier said than done, however. It often requires careful planning and taking intentional steps.

Career development is all about gathering what skills and experiences can launch you further on your career path, and navigating these processes in increments (or ladder steps) to make career growth manageable.

Why Is Career Development Important?

Having a structured career development plan helps professionals ensure that they are entering and traversing a career path that makes the most of both their skills and values. 

Helps Make Use of Skills 

The further you climb the career ladder, the more you have to build and utilize certain skills for the workplace. Career development helps employees home in on what specific skills they would like to learn, what actions need to be taken to learn them and how to actively use them. Plus, seeing the positive feedback of forming new skills signals a feeling of reward, incentivizing an employee to continue the practice.

Increases Motivation at Work  

Career development is all about finding tangible goals to work toward. This helps workers set realistic expectations, feel less pressure and find more enthusiasm to reach these goals. As their career develops, an employee often gains a sense of accomplishment and motivation to do even more in their job.

Helps Achieve Financial Goals 

A worker with more experience and refined skills generally will receive a higher pay. While following a career development plan, employees typically get a better idea of what milestones need to be met on the job in order to get a promotion or increased salary.

Increases Employee Retention  

People want to make the most out of their jobs, and can feel stuck or neglected in their career without proper growth resources. Employees who are provided professional development opportunities at work are shown to be more engaged and yield a higher retention in comparison to those who aren’t . Making learning and career development a part of a company’s culture can help employers both attract and keep their employees for the long run.

Increases Happiness and Satisfaction  

Career development and happiness at work often go hand-in-hand. Feeling successful in your development goals at work will likely boost workplace happiness, and in turn workplace happiness will boost performance and incentivize further development. To frequently learn, develop and master new skills as an employee makes for a more rewarding and satisfying career overall.

How to Create a Career Development Plan 

Laying out the groundwork for goals years down the road can be overwhelming, which is where the short-term actionable goals of career development come in. These stages for how to create a plan are only the smaller parts of overall career growth, and likewise, each stage is also comprised of individual pieces or skills to consider. Being realistic about what you can immediately accomplish and taking your plan one step or ladder rung at a time is paramount for healthy career development.

Don’t think of your first career development plan as creating the final plan or a checklist list you have to precisely follow, but rather just a basis to reference on your career journey. 

Explore Your Interests and Goals 

So you’ve decided to build a career for yourself. Now what? Start by reflecting and ask yourself the big questions about what you want out of your job. Though career development isn’t entirely about the final destination, having an overarching vision can keep you motivated, grounded and get a grasp on your values as an employee. 

Take a step back and think about what you like to do and what you’re good at. Do you want to manage people, or do you want to achieve excellence in your craft? Do you prefer to work at a small startup where you can experiment with responsibilities beyond your job description, or a big tech company with more structure and support systems?

Be sure to consider factors outside of work too. More responsibility often translates into more money, but it can also make work more stressful and your schedule less predictable. And if you love to travel or spend time outdoors when the weather is good, a decent job at a company that’s flexible about taking time off with short notice might be just as good as a more exciting, but all-consuming one. Figuring out what you want might require some experimentation.

Research the Skills You Need

After getting an idea of your desired career, start by brainstorming and researching what skills, competencies and years of experience the people in your dream job have. Ask yourself: How can you gain them? Can you talk to someone already doing the work about how they got there?

As an example, imagine you are currently working as an entry-level software engineer at a tech company and want to eventually become a mid-level software engineer. In this case, a steady progression on the career ladder is needed. 

Let’s say you researched what you need to make it to the mid-level engineering role within your company. Your research shows you need proficiency in up to three programming languages and to be more proactive within your role. Ask yourself how to boost these areas of expertise — maybe it involves learning another coding language, or maybe it involves leading more projects within your team. Necessary skills will change for each new role, so this process must be repeated in each rung of the career ladder.

Though everyone’s career development path is different, conducting this kind of research one role at a time for each role in your path gets you slightly closer to your conclusive goal or dream role. Compile your research on requirements for each role within your path to keep track of career progress and measure any skill gaps that may need filling.

Build Your Skills

Now it’s time to seek out opportunities to build the skills necessary for your desired path. Some hard skills like coding or editing can be learned through classes or reading books, while some soft skills like interpersonal communication and collaboration are best learned on the job and by volunteering to take on additional responsibilities as they come up. 

Keep an eye out for opportunities to show you’re capable and enthusiastic about moving to the next role level in your career. Additionally, don’t be afraid to seek guidance from mentors, managers or colleagues you encounter along the way, as they can be a great avenue for gaining such opportunities or just passing down industry knowledge.

Going back to our example, to get a promotion to a mid-level software engineering role in your company, you know you’ll need to gain some more experience in another coding language relating to your work, as well as show greater initiative in your work and processes. To build these skills, this could include participating in a Java, Python or similar coding bootcamp , or offering to help collaborate in a cross-team project. 

How you build your skills will look different depending on the seniority of the role you’re pursuing though. Attending a coding bootcamp may be the answer to building a skillset you need for the mid-level engineering role, but that may not be the same case when it’s time to advance to a senior-level engineering role.

Career Development Resources and Tips

Salary and benefits.

Finding a fulfilling job is important, but pay and benefits matter too. Effectively advocating for yourself can make a huge difference to your lifetime earnings — and doing that starts with understanding how compensation works.

How to Ask for a Raise

Don’t just sit around waiting for more money; ask for it . That might sound simple, but many of us leave money on the table because we’re too afraid to ask for raises. To negotiate effectively, you need to do some research to understand how much your peers at other companies make, as well as how your company’s salaries compare to broader market trends. That said, don’t think of these ranges as the cap of your earnings potential. If you’re good at what you do, you might be able to negotiate yourself to an above-market rate. 

How to Counter a Job Offer

Starting pay has major implications for earnings down the line, since many companies calculate raises based on a percentage of base salary. Making an effective counter offer requires some finesse, though, since you need to weigh getting what you want against the risk of alienating a potential employer. Common strategies for striking the right balance include asking for a company’s internal salary range, insisting on reviewing the written offer before accepting, and ensuring that you don’t tip your hand too much in the negotiation.

Stock Options

Early stage startups can’t match corporate salaries, so they make up the difference with stock options . In short, stock options are contracts that let you buy part of a company at a set price in the future, giving you the chance to share in the upside of an IPO or an acquisition. How much you stand to make from an exit depends on a number of factors, including the company’s valuation, the number of shares you hold and your strike price — which is usually lower for longer-tenured employees. 

Severance Pay

A severance package can lessen the blow of losing a job, but it isn’t free money, exactly. Packages can include weeks’ or months’ worth of your base salary, as well as extended healthcare benefits and help finding a new job. In exchange, you typically need to sign away the right to sue your former employer — and some agreements include non-disparagement, non-disclosure and non-compete clauses as well. You really should review it before you sign anything. 

How to Get the Career You Want

If you have specific goals, you need specific plans. If you’re lacking in either, these resources will help you kick off your career development journey.

How to Get Your Dream Job

Your dream job might be something you lose yourself in entirely, and where you find yourself bursting with ideas and enjoying every moment. Or it might be more about negative space: a job that’s pretty good, but flexible, and that leaves plenty of room for whatever else you like to do with your time. If you don’t know what your dream job is, it might be time to start thinking about it. Otherwise, your career might pass by before you find out. 

How to Set Effective Long-Term Career Goals

Too often, we become laser focused on the next step on the career ladder, losing track entirely of long-term career goals . Taking a longer-term view is important, because chasing the next step can end up leading you astray. Do you want a high-powered career with lots of responsibility, or do you want to close your laptop at the same time every night to spend time with friends and family? Do you want to be responsible for other people, or do you prefer to focus on excellence as an individual contributor? The answers to these questions should shape your long-term career goals. 

How to Set Career Goals

Sometimes, it’s the short-term plans of career goals that are lacking. If you find yourself stuck in a rut without a clear path forward, a good first step is thinking about some short-term to medium-term goals. These goals should feel fulfilling, yet also attainable. Think: “Mentor a colleague,” or “Lead a presentation for my team about best practices.” Don’t make it trivial, but don’t make it too hard, either. A quick win can do wonders for your self-esteem, and help you reach more ambitious goals in the future. 

How to Set Short-Term Goals to Boost Career Growth

Short-term goals need to be specific and measurable. For example, if you want to expand your professional network, “establishing two new contacts every month” is a better goal than “having a robust network by the end of the year.” Once you’ve established a goal, write it down and ask someone you trust to hold you accountable. 

What You Need to Know About Job Shadowing

Many companies reserve job shadowing for interns, but a chance to look ahead at what the future could hold can be valuable at any step in your career journey. Shadowing lets you look beyond job descriptions and get a sense of what the day-to-day work actually looks like. That’s important if you want a clear idea of what you’d like to do, or, perhaps equally importantly, what you don’t want to do. 

Use the 30-60-90 Day Plan

No one expects a new hire to know everything, but some things are more important to remember than others. The 30-60-90 day plan is designed to help new hires prioritize their time, laying out expectations for the first, second and third month, respectively. In most jobs, the first month is mostly about learning, while the second and third months are for experimenting and taking on real responsibilities. 

Building Your Network

Networking opens up the door for new roles or knowledge in your career, and can be done no matter if you work in-person or completely remote . It’s important to note, however, that a robust network doesn’t appear overnight. If you put in the effort and offer up as much help as you receive to your colleagues, you might soon find that all roads in your chosen field lead back to you. 

How to Build a Professional Network

Building the right network can do wonders for your career, helping with everything from introductions to gut checks before important decisions. But although your network might grow naturally over the course of your career, you’re going to have to put in some time and effort in developing and maintaining connections. The best way to do that is to set aside some time every week for keeping up. 

How to Find the Right Mentor

Different people want different things from a mentor . Some people want a role model with a job they dream to hold. Others are looking for a successful peer with a shared professional or personal background. And while some turn to mentors for emotional support while things are tough, others want a trusted person like a coach who will tell them when they’re in the wrong. Whether you’re looking for a mentor or coach , there’s probably someone out there for you. 

How to Get the Most out of Informational Interviews

The informational interview can be a powerful tool for anyone looking to break into a new specialization or industry. Usually initiated by the person looking to make inroads, these interviews are opportunities to gain a deeper understanding of what someone does and how they do it. Informational interviews do have the potential to help you land a job down the line, but you shouldn’t spend your contact’s precious time trying to sell yourself. Instead, do your research and ask thoughtful questions, and trust that your wits and curiosity will make an impression. Either way, the insights you gather are likely to help you do better in your next job interview. 

Developing New Skills

Traits like communication, confidence and ability to trust people play an outsize role for anyone aspiring to leadership of any kind. They may sound like nice-to-haves, but neglecting these so-called “soft skills” will derail even the best-laid career development plans.

How to Develop Interpersonal Skills

Technical know-how might get you a foot in the door, but if you want to move up within an organization and do high-impact work, you’ll need strong interpersonal skills . Fortunately, you can work on those, just like you can any other skill. One important thing you can do is pay more attention to how you behave around others — do you interrupt often, for example? Other strategies include setting aside time for checking in with coworkers and asking for honest feedback about what it’s like to work with you. 

How to Overcome Imposter Syndrome

If you ever feel like you’re in over your head and about to get found out, you’re not alone. Imposter syndrome is extremely common in the tech industry — especially among women and members of other underrepresented groups. Fortunately, talking openly about these feelings can help, since it sheds light on how everyone struggles in one way or another. And if everyone feels like they’re falling short in some way, maybe we’re all just setting the bar too high for ourselves. 

Active Listening Techniques to Know

If you’re thinking about what you’re going to say next, you’re not really listening. Some of us are better at hearing what others are saying than others, but active listening is a skill we could all stand to get better at. Some improvements will come easy, like disabling notifications when you step into a meeting. Others require a shift in mindset, away from troubleshooting a conversation partner’s problems in real time, and toward embracing moments of silence as you consider what to ask next. 

Which Soft Skills Are Most Important?

People will go on endlessly about the importance of soft skills , but which skills are they actually talking about? In tech, hiring managers tend to look for communication and listening skills, a collaborative mindset, friendliness, and openness to feedback. It might sound like a no-brainer, but developing these skills is easier said than done: hiring managers consistently report trouble finding candidates who possess them. 

How to Avoid Micromanagement

The transition from individual contributor to manager can be tricky, in large part because it involves moving from doing something you’re good at to managing other people in the job you used to have. Often, that means you can fix problems your employees are stuck on in no time — but this can easily lead to micromanagement . Letting your employees learn how to solve their own problems is critical to their professional growth, and it’s going to make your own job easier in the long run. It can be painful at times, but it’s the right thing to do. 

How to Write Effective Interview Follow-Ups

Some hiring managers don’t care about interview follow-ups , while others think it speaks volumes about a candidate’s interest in the job. Since there’s no way of knowing which camp someone falls into, skipping the follow-up email can end up costing you the job. That said, be sure not to overwhelm the recipient. Keep it short, reiterate your interest and emphasize why you think you’re the right person for the role. 

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Template inside: How to build your career development plan

November 21, 2023

Welcome back!

Last week, we started our career growth and development series with an issue on  professional development goals . This week, we’re taking a look at how to assess your goals to make a concrete plan of action. Whether your goals involve advancement in your current field, a career change, or entering the workforce for the first time, you can follow the same broad steps to figure out your path forward.

A  career development plan  helps you connect your daily actions to your big-picture professional goals. Often, human resources or people operations professionals use this tool to help employees identify growth opportunities at work, but  anyone  working toward personal or professional goals can benefit from a clear plan, whether they’re operating independently or with support from their employer.

Career development plans are all about taking stock of where you are, identifying where you want to go, and outlining your path to get there. As a formal document, they often include sections for your short-term and long-term goals, a skills audit, resources available to you, and action items.

Start building your plan with our free  career development plan template . To access the template, click the link, sign into your Google account and click the ‘Make a copy’ button. This will create your own editable, private template!

Here are the broad steps you’ll take to map out your plan:

• Think about your current position.  Where are you in your career right now? What do you like, dislike, or simply wish were different about it? 
• Consider your goals.  What does your dream job look like? What do you want to do more or less of? What title, responsibilities, or projects do you want to work on?
• Analyze your skills.  Identify the skills you already have and the ones you’ll need to develop through reskilling or  upskilling  in order to achieve your goals. If you’re not sure of the skills you’ll need, look at job listings for your dream job to see what they require. For more support on this step, revisit our issue on  identifying key job skills .
• Explore resources.  Look around you: what resources are available to you that can help you move toward your goals? Consider seeking a mentor for help, asking your employer what they offer, or simply looking online. 
• Write your action plan.  Now that you’ve taken stock of your goals, resources, and skills, create a plan that focuses on the concrete steps you can take to start working toward your ultimate goal.

As you implement your plan and progress toward your goals, try to remain flexible in your approach. Remember: your plan should work with and for  you . If your plan isn’t working for you, you can shift your action items, seek support from others, and brainstorm new strategies. You can even change your goals! Growth is a learning process, and it won’t always be linear.

Where to begin

One career development resource that’s available to you anywhere with an internet connection? Online learning. Check out some popular career development courses on Coursera:

• Explore a new career path  with the  Career Discovery Specialization  from the University System of Georgia.
• Create your flexible career plan  with Macquarie University’s  Adapting: Career Development Specialization .
• Develop transferable, in-demand job skills  with the  Career Success Specialization  from the University of California, Irvine.

That’s all for this week. Next week, we’ll talk about  mentors  and the steps you can take to find one. Until then, let us know what your first action items are in the comments—we’d love to cheer you on.

P.S.  Did you know you and a friend can get your first month of Coursera Plus for  only $1  through our  referral program ? If your action plan involves learning new skills  or  if you’re workshopping your goals and want to explore courses across several career areas, join the  77% of surveyed learners  on Coursera who have reported career benefits including new jobs, promotions, and expanded skill sets.

With Coursera Plus, you get unlimited access to over 7,000+ world-class courses, hands-on projects, and job-ready certificate programs from universities and companies like Yale, Google, Microsoft, and more (including all three of our recommendations above).

Keep reading

• How to answer “what are your strengths and weaknesses?” in interviews
• Job interviews: How to confidently prepare
• How to talk about a career gap

How To Create A Career Development Plan: Examples + Templates – 2024!

Career development plans are more than just aiming to get the next promotion or landing a better job. It demands a strategic effort and an intentional approach to laying out the steps one wishes to take in their professional life.

Career developments bring about serious self-reflection, goal-setting, and continuous learning in the process. Individuals who actively engage in their career development will be better equipped to seize opportunities, deal with challenges, and chart a course toward their success.

Especially in modern-day times where everything is changing at such a fast rate, career development plans are more important than ever and require more attention to detail.

Similar to talent mapping , career development plans are a valuable tool for creating a roadmap for professional growth that helps highlight strengths, weaknesses, and aligned aspirations.

Follow along to see which steps you need to take to implement career growth plans into your professional life to ensure growth and long-term success in your career, and take a look at examples and templates of career growth plans that you can customize!

Table of Contents

Why should you have a career development plan?

A career growth plan is a very powerful tool when used right. It helps empower individuals to take control of their career direction and beyond the obvious benefits of goal-setting and skill enhancements, career development plans provide a sense of purpose.

By grasping your short and long-term goals through career planning, you will create yourself with a strategic compass, a career path , that will guide you through a competitive and slippery world. Career growth plans are also important to invest your time and other resources in the right places that will help you succeed the most.

As career growth plans encourage continuous learning, it enhances individuals’ resilience and overall abilities. They create a sense of proactivity in approaching careers as a whole which in return helps individuals become more in tune with talent development opportunities and align better with their career goals.

How do you create a career development plan?

Now that we have gone over what career growth plans are and why they are important, let’s take a closer look at how you can design one for yourself and what steps you’ll have to take in the process before we move along to employee development template and examples.

1. Identify Career Goals

The first step is to have a clear understanding of yourself as a professional and your development goals . Once you know more you can start articulating short-term and long-term goals.

One thing to take note of here is to make sure your goals are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART). SMART Goals will help you advance in your career in a structured and strategic way that keeps you thriving for more but still rewards you in the process.

Break down your larger goals into smaller and manageable steps to ensure an easier process to track and help you stay focused on your overall objectives as you take your journey day by day.

2. Assess Skills and Competencies

In addition to identifying your goals and objectives, an integral part of individual development plans is knowing your skills and competencies. By assessing and seeing your current status, you’ll have a better idea of what else needs to happen for you to achieve the goals you set.

Reflect on your strengths and weaknesses, values, and interests. At the same time reflect on how they have assisted you in your achievement thus far. This will make it easier to highlight what areas need more growth.

As you see more clearly in this aspect, and as you identify more of what satisfies you professionally, this introspective perspective will provide you with a realistic and strong basis for you to design your career development plan.

3. Action Plan

The next step is to put into words your realizations from the retrospective approach previously, into a step-by-step action plan to follow day-to-day.

This plan can include acquiring new skills or developing existing ones through training or education, seeking mentorship, networking with other professionals in your industry, and actively going after any relevant opportunities for growth.

When thinking about your action plan, don’t forget to include what you believe are potential obstacles on your way and devise strategies to tackle them in case you need to. A well-rounded action plan will help make your goals a reality and keep you organized in your career development journey.

4. Review & Adjust

A career growth plan is not simply one document set in stone and never to be reviewed again. It’s an ever-evolving process as you take steps to grow via your career growth plan. As you evolve, your plan should do the same.

To ensure that you are on track, make sure to review your career growth plan consistently by using tools such as the 9-box review , to keep your steps in check and ensure they still serve a purpose for your growth.

Be open to adjustments when necessary, especially based on new opportunities or discoveries about yourself. Don’t forget to utilize appraisals during the process of employee development plans , to keep motivation high.

If you can implement an adaptable nature into your career growth, then you can truly succeed in the long term. Without fine-tuning your experience in growth as you improve, you can miss out on even better developments.

Regular self-reflection and tweaks here and there are vital if you wish to maintain a dynamic and sustainably effective career growth plan.

Career Development Plan Template

If you’re looking for a way to start yourself out on your own career development plan, we have a template for you that you can download!

You can also create your own career development plan inside Teamflect! Teamflect is an all-in-one solution to performance software.

An app that was designed for M icrosoft Teams , that has all of your needs under one place just a click away. You can use Teamflect to keep yourself or your team accountable for their career growth, create tasks and goals, and evaluate progress through performance reviews.

Career Development Plan Examples

In addition to a set template for a career development action plan, we’ve also taken the liberty to give you examples inside this article so that you can also see an example plan that’s already been filled out. Take a look at the following examples;

Sample Career Development Plan 1: Software Engineer

Set Clear Goals:

• Define short-term and long-term career objectives.
• Short-term goals might include mastering a new programming language or framework.
• Long-term goals could involve becoming a technical lead or software architect.

Assess Current Skills and Interests:

• Reflect on current programming skills and interests.
• Identify areas of strength and weakness, such as programming languages, frameworks, and technologies.

Continuous Learning:

• Enroll in online courses, workshops, or boot camps to enhance technical skills.
• Attend industry conferences and seminars to stay updated on emerging technologies and best practices.
• Consider pursuing certifications relevant to the field, such as AWS Certified Solutions Architect or Google Cloud Professional Developer.

Gain Experience:

• Seek internships or entry-level positions to gain practical experience.
• Contribute to open-source projects or build personal projects to showcase skills.
• Collaborate with experienced professionals to learn from their expertise.

Networking:

• Join professional organizations and online communities related to software development.
• Attend networking events and meetups to connect with peers and potential mentors.
• Utilize social media platforms like LinkedIn to build a professional network and showcase achievements.

Seek Feedback and Mentorship:

• Solicit feedback from peers, managers, and mentors to identify areas for improvement.
• Establish relationships with experienced professionals who can provide guidance and support in career advancement.

Career Advancement:

• Explore opportunities for advancement within the current organization or consider switching to roles with higher responsibilities.
• Stay proactive in seeking new challenges and responsibilities to further career growth.
• Continuously reassess goals and adjust career development plans accordingly.

Sample Career Development Plan 2: Marketing Manager

Define Career Objectives:

• Set specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) career goals.
• Short-term goals might include mastering marketing analytics tools or obtaining certifications in digital marketing.
• Long-term goals could involve becoming a marketing director or launching a successful marketing consultancy.

Self-Assessment:

• Evaluate current skills, strengths, and weaknesses in marketing.
• Identify areas of interest within marketing, such as digital marketing, brand management, or market research.

Continuous Education:

• Take courses or pursue a degree in marketing, business administration, or related field to enhance knowledge and skills.
• Stay updated on industry trends and best practices through reading industry publications, attending webinars, and participating in workshops.
• Seek internships, entry-level positions, or freelance projects to gain hands-on experience in various aspects of marketing.
• Volunteer for cross-functional projects within current organization to broaden skills and expertise.
• Build a strong professional network by attending industry events, conferences, and seminars.
• Connect with peers, mentors, and industry leaders through networking platforms like LinkedIn.
• Join professional organizations such as the American Marketing Association (AMA) or Digital Marketing Association (DMA) to expand your network and access resources.

Seek Mentorship and Feedback:

• Identify experienced professionals in the field who can provide guidance and mentorship.
• Seek feedback from supervisors, colleagues, and mentors to identify areas for improvement and development.
• Pursue opportunities for advancement within the current organization or explore roles in other companies that align with career goals.
• Develop leadership and strategic thinking skills necessary for higher-level positions.
• Continuously evaluate and adjust career development plans to align with evolving goals and market trends.

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Written by Deniz Imer

Deniz is a content writer at Teamflect. She is obsessed with organizational behavior studies and loves writing/thinking about how a carefully designed people strategy can transform a company.

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Career Advancement: Definition + Examples + Career Timelines

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How to Plan Your Career as a Business Development Manager

Are you ready to pave your way to success as a Business Development Manager? Well, buckle up because we've got just the guide for you! This blog will guide you in planning your career path. Whether you're just starting or looking to level up in your current role, our comprehensive roadmap will equip you with all the tools and strategies needed to become an unstoppable force in business development.

As a business development manager , having a clear and well-planned career path is crucial to success in your role. Mapping out your career path helps you set goals and direction for your professional growth and allows you to identify potential opportunities and challenges along the way.

This guide will take you through the step-by-step process of planning your career path as a business development manager. From identifying your strengths and interests to setting achievable goals, this article will provide valuable insights and practical tips on how to map out your journey toward success.

Why Is Career Planning Important?

Many professionals overlook the importance of career planning, thinking their job performance alone will determine their success. However, having a clear plan for your career can significantly impact your overall growth and fulfillment in your role.

Career planning allows you to identify what motivates you, what skills or knowledge you need to develop, and what steps you need to take to reach your desired position or level of success. It lets you stay focused on your long-term goals while making informed decisions about job opportunities or further education.

Understanding the Role of a Business Development Manager

A business development manager is a crucial position in any company, responsible for driving growth and creating new opportunities. They are often referred to as the "bridge" between the company and its clients and play a vital role in the success of a business.

The Role of a Business Development Manager

The primary role of a BDM is to identify new business opportunities by researching potential markets or industries. They analyze market trends, competition, and consumer needs to determine where the company's products or services can fill gaps or meet unmet demands. This requires strong analytical skills and strategic thinking abilities.

Once potential target markets have been identified, BDMs then focus on developing strategies to reach potential clients through channels such as networking events, trade shows, cold calls/emails, or referrals from existing customers. This involves building relationships with key decision-makers within these organizations and understanding their specific needs to tailor solutions that meet those needs effectively.

Identifying Your Strengths and Weaknesses

Identifying your strengths and weaknesses is vital in planning your career path as a Business Development Manager. It involves self-reflection and introspection to understand your unique skills, abilities, and areas for improvement. By identifying these aspects, you can better align yourself with suitable career opportunities and develop strategies to overcome weaknesses.

Here are some steps to help you identify your strengths and weaknesses:

• Take a Self-Assessment Test: A good starting point is a self-assessment test that measures your skills, interests, personality traits, and values. This will give you an objective view of yourself and help you discover potential strengths you may not have been aware of before.
• Reflect on Your Past Experiences: Think back on past experiences in both personal and professional settings where you felt most confident or excelled at specific tasks. These could be projects, assignments, or even hobbies that gave you a sense of accomplishment. Analyze the particular skills or qualities that enabled you to succeed.
• Seek Feedback from Others: Ask for honest feedback from friends, family members, colleagues, or mentors about your strengths and areas for improvement. Their perspective can provide valuable insights into how others perceive your capabilities.
• Conduct a SWOT Analysis: SWOT stands for Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats – a simple yet effective tool businesses use to assess their internal capabilities and external environment.

Setting Goals and Aspirations for Your Career

As a business development manager, your ultimate goal is to drive growth and success for your company. But to achieve this, it’s essential to have personal goals and aspirations for your career. This section will guide you through setting meaningful goals to help you navigate your career path as a business development manager.

• Reflect on Your Values and Interests

The first step in setting career goals is to reflect on your values and interests. What motivates you? What do you enjoy doing? It’s essential to align your career goals with these aspects of yourself, as they will likely lead you toward fulfilling and satisfying work.

Think about what drew you to the role of a business development manager in the first place. Are there specific industries or business types that interest you? Are there particular skills or tasks within the role that excite you? Identifying these can give you a clear direction for setting your career goals.

• Identify Short-Term Goals

Short-term goals are those that can be achieved within 1-3 years. These are important because they provide stepping stones toward achieving long-term goals while also giving a sense of accomplishment along the way.

When setting short-term goals, consider what skills or experiences would benefit your current position and help move you towards higher levels of responsibility or leadership within the company.

Researching and Analyzing the Market

Researching and analyzing the market is crucial in planning your career path as a business development manager. It involves gathering information about the industry, understanding customer needs and preferences, and identifying potential growth opportunities. This section will guide you through conducting market research and analyzing it to make informed decisions for your career.

• Define Your Target Market

The first step in researching and analyzing the market is identifying your target audience. As a business development manager, this could be specific companies or industries that align with your interests and skills. Research these markets by looking at their size, growth trends, competition, and other relevant factors.

• Understand Customer Needs

Once you have defined your target market, it's essential to understand their needs and preferences. Conduct surveys or interviews with potential customers to gather insights on what they value in products or services. You can also analyze social media platforms or online reviews to understand customer opinions about existing products.

• Analyze Competitors

Analyzing competitors is another critical aspect of researching the market as a business development manager. Identify your main competitors and study their strengths, weaknesses, pricing strategies, unique selling points, and marketing tactics. This will give you an idea of differentiating yourself from them in the marketplace.

• Study Industry Trends

Staying updated with industry trends is crucial for success as a business development manager. Look at current patterns within your target market, such as new technologies or changing consumer behaviors.

Networking and Building Relationships

In today's competitive job market, having the necessary skills and qualifications for the role is no longer enough. Connecting with others and building strong professional relationships is crucial for personal and career growth.

• Importance of Networking:

Networking is actively seeking and establishing connections with other professionals in your industry. It involves attending events, conferences, workshops, or even reaching out through social media platforms such as LinkedIn. As a business development manager, networking can help you expand your knowledge base, learn about new opportunities, and gain valuable insights from experienced individuals.

• Building Meaningful Relationships:

While networking is important, it is equally essential to focus on building meaningful relationships with those in your network. This means going beyond just collecting business cards or adding contacts on LinkedIn. Take the time to get to know people more personally by asking questions and showing genuine interest in their work. This will help you establish trust and make it easier for you to reach out for advice or assistance when needed.

• Leveraging Your Existing Network:

As you progress as a business development manager, don't overlook the power of leveraging your existing network. Your current colleagues, clients, mentors, and friends can be valuable resources for career growth opportunities or introductions to potential employers. Stay connected with them regularly and keep them updated on your professional achievements.

Developing Essential Skills and Knowledge

As a business development manager, it is crucial to continuously develop and enhance your skills and knowledge to succeed in the ever-changing business landscape. The role of a business development manager requires a deep understanding of various aspects of the business world. This section will discuss some essential skills and knowledge necessary for your success as a business development manager.

• Strategic Thinking: As a business development manager, you must have the ability to think strategically and see the bigger picture. This involves analyzing market trends, identifying growth opportunities, and developing strategies to achieve long-term goals. It is essential to be proactive rather than reactive when making decisions impacting the company's success.
• Sales and Negotiation Skills: A large part of your role as a business development manager will involve sales and negotiation. This includes building relationships with potential clients, pitching products or services, and closing deals. Strong sales skills combined with effective negotiation tactics can help you secure new partnerships and drive revenue for your company.
• Industry Knowledge: To effectively promote your company's products or services, you need to have an in-depth understanding of the industry you are operating in. Stay updated on current market trends, competitors' strategies, consumer behavior patterns, and other relevant information that can give you an edge in the market.
• Communication Skills: Clear communication is key in any role, especially as a business development manager, where you will interact with internal teams.

Creating a Career Plan for Success

Planning and strategizing for your career is essential to achieving success as a business development manager. Like any other role, having a clear career plan can help you stay focused, motivated, and on track toward your goals.

• Identify Your Goals: The first step in creating a career plan is identifying your goals. Take some time to reflect on what you want to achieve in your career as a business development manager. Do you aspire to lead a team or work on high-profile deals? Are you looking for opportunities in specific industries or countries? Clarifying your goals will give you a sense of direction and purpose.
• Assess Your Skills and Knowledge: Once you have identified your goals, assessing your current skills and knowledge level is crucial. This self-evaluation will help identify any gaps that need to be filled through training, education, or gaining practical experience. As a business development manager, having strong communication, negotiation, analytical thinking, and problem-solving skills are vital for success.
• Research Career Paths: Business development roles can vary from company to company depending on their size, industry focus, and growth stage. It's essential to research potential career paths within the business development field to understand the different job titles and responsibilities associated with them.

Staying Motivated and Adapting to Changes

Staying motivated and adapting to changes are key to success as a business development manager. As you progress in your career, there will undoubtedly be challenges and unexpected shifts that may require you to adapt your plans and strategies. It is important to have the resilience and determination to stay motivated and focused on your goals, even when faced with obstacles.

Here are some tips for staying motivated and adapting to changes as a business development manager:

• Keep Your Goals in Mind:

One of the best ways to stay motivated is by keeping your goals at the forefront of your mind. Whether landing a particular client, reaching a sales target, or securing a promotion, having clear objectives helps you stay focused and determined. Write down your goals and keep them visible, such as on your desk or phone wallpaper, to constantly remind you of what you're working towards.

• Celebrate Small Wins:

In addition to focusing on big goals, it's essential to celebrate small wins along the way. Daily accomplishments or milestones can bring you closer to your ultimate objectives. Celebrating these smaller victories keeps you motivated and boosts confidence and morale.

• Build a Support System:

As a business development manager, it's crucial to surround yourself with supportive colleagues who understand the role's challenges and can offer encouragement when needed. Connect with other professionals in similar roles through networking events or online communities.

As a business development manager, it is crucial to have a strong understanding of your career path and the steps needed to achieve your goals. This helps you stay focused and motivated and proactively plan for future growth opportunities. In today's fast-paced business world, where changes happen at lightning speed, staying updated with industry trends and honing new skills is essential for success.

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What Is a Typical Business Development Career Path? (+Job Titles, Interview Questions and Career Tips)

April 16, 2019

by Izabelle Hundrev

What do you want to be when you grow up?

That age-old question that you’ve been asked since grade school somehow gets more daunting as you grow older. The reality is: a lot of us don’t know what we want to be. And that’s OK. Part of growing up is learning more about your interests and trying new things to find out which career will be right for you. When you were asked what you wanted to be as a kid, it’s doubtful that your first choice was business development . Most of us are more keen on things like being a space explorer or a princess.

Unfortunately, those job titles aren’t exactly viable. However, if you’re motivated, sharp and interested in working with people, a career in business development might be a fit for you.

Business development career path

A typical career path in business development starts with an entry-level position as a BDR and climbs up the ladder to a manager role, with the possibility of eventually earning a spot in leadership.

In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about working in business development. This includes a typical career path, essentials skills and tips for success.

What is a typical business development career path?

A career in business development is challenging but can also be incredibly rewarding. At most companies, joining the business development team is a great choice for recent college graduates looking to get their foot in the door. Most organizations won’t hire entry-level candidates without past sales experience right into a closing role, so starting off in business development is a great way to get on the path to sales. That being said, sales isn’t the only long-term career path for business development professionals (more on that later).

Business development representative

In short, a business development representative (BDR) is an entry-level position that involves prospecting and qualifying early-stage leads as they enter the funnel. On a day-to-day basis, BDRs are cold calling and emailing prospective buyers in the hope of booking sales appointments. Joining a company as a BDR is a great way to learn about the business quickly and gain valuable experience interacting with prospective clients. This role often carries a quota, so it’s important to take that into consideration before applying. If you’re comfortable working in a fast-paced environment that is based on metrics, BDR could be a good fit.

As a BDR, you’ll also gain valuable skills to propel you to the next phase of your career, as long as you’re ready. Moving into a closing sales role as an Account Executive or Account Manager is a common next step for most BDRs. However, this isn’t the only path. BDRs often work cross-functionally and gain skills that transfer to positions outside of sales. Common paths include marketing, customer success or even customer service.

If you find yourself thriving in business development, there is also the possibility of moving forward as a team lead or a manager down the line. We’ll touch on this next.

Business development manager

A business development manager is responsible for leading a team of BDRs and owning the beginning of the sales process that involves marketing and sales-qualified leads. This position takes on additional responsibilities of managing individual contributors and overseeing all aspects of sales pipeline.

The right person for this position will have had experience as a BDR in the past to ensure that they’re familiar with the key responsibilities their team will be held accountable for. In some cases, companies will require that a BDR manager has had experience as an Account Executive because this means they have a well-rounded understanding of all aspects of the sales process. Performance metrics for this role are centered around the success of each individual team member and the team’s overall ability to meet their monthly, quarterly and annual sales targets.

If a BDR manager is meeting expectations and able to lead a successful team, there are many opportunities for growth at higher levels of leadership.

Business development leadership

Across different companies and industries, there are countless opportunities for strong candidates to be hired on to serve a leadership role within a business development team. The job titles themselves may vary, but common examples include a VP of Business Development or Director of Business Development. These roles are usually filled by people who have been in the BDR manager role before or have strong experience managing a team in a quota carrying position.

As you climb up the ladder, there’s a major shift in responsibility. A person at this point in their career will likely no longer be managing individual contributors and be less caught up in the day-to-day operations of their team. Instead, the focus is on strategic decision-making and tracking company goals at a much higher level.

Mastering your business development skills

Whether you’re already in the field or looking to get into business development, it’s no secret that you’ll need a pretty strong set of sales skills to succeed. If you’re worried that you’re not the most talented salesperson, don’t worry just yet. Many of the most successful “biz dev” professionals knew almost nothing about the industry prior to starting. Instead, they committed to learning something new each day and pushing themselves to improve.

The skills you master early on in your business development career are going to shape the rest of your path. Sales skills such as cold calling and objection handling are easily transferable to everything you need to do when you reach the Account Executive level. If you’re not interested in doing sales long-term, that’s OK, too. Luckily, the skills you acquire in business development apply to other areas. For example, time management and active listening are key to job functions such as marketing and customer service.

Staying motivated throughout your career journey

It’s not always easy to stay motivated at your job. This is especially true for quota-carrying positions that tend to be higher pressure. While pursuing a career in business development may seem daunting because of this, it’s important to form positive habits early on that help you maintain your sales productivity and avoid burnout.

It’s easy to get caught up in the monotony of your daily work life and lose sight of your desired career path – we have all been there. Find ways to remind yourself of your short- and long-term career goals every day. When you pause to look at the bigger picture, it’s easy to see how the not-so-exciting daily tasks are helping propel you forward in your career.

Follow your own path

Just because there is a laid out career path for business development, it doesn’t mean you don’t have the power to make that journey your own. If you take time to hone in on your skills and interests, there’s no doubt you’ll make the right choice when deciding if business development is for you. One thing is for sure – the opportunities for growth in this field are endless.

Climbing the corporate ladder is no simple feat. Learn how to ask for a raise so you're prepared to have that conversation when the time comes.

Izabelle is a Partner Marketing Specialist at InStride and a former content specialist at G2. Outside of work, she is passionate about all things pop culture, food, and travel. (she/her/hers)

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Career in Business Development: The Ultimate Guide

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Career in business development: the ultimate guide to help you understand if business development is right for you.

When I was younger I never dreamt of becoming a business developer. I thought of becoming a doctor, an astronomer, a hairdresser, a journalist, and eventually, an ambassador.

But business development, I didn’t even know it existed.

To be really honest with you, I didn’t really know what business development was all about until I realized I was actually doing it.

My career in business development started quite…unconsciously, I would say.

It wasn’t until 2017 that everything became clear. Looking at my past jobs the puzzle became clear. As I would connect the dots of all the things I did it appeared clearly:

I was a business developer.

It was almost a mystical moment and I started reading up, trying to know as much as possible about it.

How to build a career in business development, and how to become better at it.

To my surprise, there wasn’t much information about it, so I started reaching out to people in the field and asking what they were up to.

I got so passionate that I decided to dedicate my career to this field and created The BD School to share knowledge and help other BDs like you become better at this job .

If you are thinking of starting a career in business development or taking it to the next level, this complete guide on how to build a career in business development is all you need.

You will learn:

Why choose a career in business development?

What does a business development manager do, what’s the typical business development career path, how profitable is a career in business development, is business development good for you, what do you need to start a career in business development.

• How to land a business development job?
• How to prepare for interviews?

Thirteen years ago I moved my first steps into a career in business development and it has been an amazing journey so far.

In particular, I love that business development really allowed me to learn a lot about myself , my capabilities, and how I could use my skills to deliver value.

The beauty of business development is that it really obliges you to think out of the box and find creative solutions to business problems. Besides, it helps you uncover a lot of skills you didn’t even know to have.

In my opinion, there are 3 main reasons why you should choose a career in business development:

1 – A career in business development uncovers your skills

One of the things I’m most amazed about is that working in business development feels almost like a movie. Every day is completely different from the other and you just have to embrace the challenge.

I learned that I love change and discovered that I have very strong adaptability skills .

Then I learned I was gifted with empathy and that helped me to understand my clients and eventually reach my business goals.

A few years later, I learned that I was particularly good at spotting opportunities and problem-solving. The list of skills I uncovered thanks to business development is really incredible.

I believe each one of us has some hidden talent, but unfortunately, we don’t always get the chance to experience them. We get stuck in our routines, we don’t get enough challenges and we end up getting comfortable with what we have.

In business development, it is just not possible to get comfortable and this will push you to your limits. You will discover many new qualities and improve the ones you already have.

Business development is first and foremost a personal development journey.

2 – You never get bored if you work in business development

If you tend to get bored easily at work, then business development might just be the career path for you.

Business development involves so many different activities and stakeholders that you simply won’t have the time to get bored.

You’ll get the chance to work on many projects involving other departments, and you’ll get the chance to learn new skills beyond your field of expertise.

For example, during my last job, I was part of both the sales and growth teams. I was busy contacting prospects, but also organizing webinars, working on email marketing, and more.

This allowed me to learn new skills that contributed to my professional growth extremely fast.

Business development makes you more valuable in the job market.

Read also: What does a business developer do on a daily basis?

3 – You are the frontman of your company

If you choose a career in business development, you prepare yourself to become the frontman of your company. You are the first contact for clients and partners and whatever you say can make or break a deal.

Under this perspective, working in business development brings a lot of responsibility . You’re usually performing one of the most profitable activities in the company.

This means that if you work well you’re directly responsible for the growth of your organization.

If you work long enough in a company, you earn the right to steer a company’s direction based on your findings on the field.

By experimenting and always being in contact with your audience , you’re in the perfect position to suggest new ideas to your company.

Last, if you work in a startup, you can grow your career extremely fast. Business development at startups is very strategic, so your actions will have a big impact on the growth of the company. This will make you a key employee in no time!

Business development allows you to realize your career goals quickly.

Business development takes many different shapes depending on the strategy of your company. So business developers do different things depending on the company they’re currently working for.

In terms of responsibilities, you will have to think of ways to generate new business opportunities and execute them.

Usually, as business developers, we come up with new ideas, test them, and then if they work, we scale them with other departments.

In practical terms, these are the most common business development activities :

• Research (market, competitors, customers)
• Opportunity spotting
• Experimentation
• Lead generation
• Cold outreach (email, phone, social media)
• Partnership management
• Project management
• Stakeholder management
• Negotiation
• Closing deals

When I started thinking seriously of a career in business development, one of my first questions was how far you can actually go with it. I know that you can become a business developer but what’s next?

You know, when you are a doctor your career path is pretty much stable and clear. But business development is a different story.

Because it’s such a broad field and there is some confusion around it, job offers are also pretty messy. This means that sometimes the same job can be very different from one company to another.

However just looking at the career path, you can expect pretty much this progression:

1 – Business developer or business development representative

Abbreviated in BD or BDR, it is the most entry-level position and that’s where most of us will probably start. Of course, depending on the company this role can vary a lot. However, generally speaking, this function is mainly related to either the acquisition of potential clients or opening up new channels.

2 – Business development manager

Contrary to what you might think, being a BDM (Business Development Manager) doesn’t necessarily mean you will manage a team. But, what you’ll definitely manage is the entire business development process. As BDM you’re still very much involved in the execution of your plan even if you have a team working with you.

3 – Head of business development

That’s the first real senior role and that’s when you start executing less and manage more. You are involved in strategic decisions, building and managing a team and you directly work with the company leadership.

4 – Director of Business Development

This role is more high-level and requires a more strategic and long-term approach to the business. You are responsible for the activities and outcomes of your team. But contrary to the other roles, you’re less involved in the actual execution and mostly deal with mid-management staff.

5 – Vice President of business development

When you reach this point, you’ll enjoy sitting with the senior leadership and discussing how you’ll drive growth opportunities in the long term. You’re fully on the strategic development of your company and think ahead in the future. At this level, you’ll manage less and think more about what the company should do next.

The most interesting thing in developing a career in business development is that each stage is a sort of microcosmos of the next level.

What I mean is that the ultimate goal in any stage of the company is to find growth opportunities.

The real difference between these stages is the number of things you experience in your career.

As a VP you have a lot more examples to use in your decision process, while as a business developer you only have limited experience.

Is that a problem? Not necessarily.

In fact, as an entry-level professional, you have another superpower which is your hunger for knowledge and if you use it correctly, you will be able to be successful even without much experience.

Now that you know what to expect in terms of career path, make sure you also check the salary expectations for each one of these positions.

This will help you make sure that a career in business development is aligned with your long-term financial goals.

Besides the benefits of your personal and career growth, business development is also a great career to achieve your financial goals. In fact, in countries like The Netherlands or the United Kingdom, business development professionals earn up to 42,000 € per year even in entry-level positions.

This is mainly because of two main reasons: First, because it’s a function that directly contributes to the revenue growth of the company.

Second, because it’s a complex function which means companies are willing to pay more to keep you and avoid the costs of hiring new employees.

Of course, not all business development jobs are equal and many factors can contribute to your actual salary. For example, your location, level of experience, and company size can definitely have an impact on your salary.

So before deciding your next career step, make sure you research the average salary in your area.

You can easily find this information using the LinkedIn Salary feature or websites like Payscale and Glassdoor. On these platforms, you will be able to filter by location and years of experience so you will be able if your expectations are aligned with the market.

At this point, you should have a clear idea of what a career in business development looks like. Now the million-dollar questions:

How do you find out if business development is good for you?

Of course, we don’t have the answer for you, but we can give you some practical tips to understand if this is the right career path for you.

A good way to know if business development is good for you is to ask yourself these questions:

• Are you curious and use creativity to solve problems?
• Do you like learning new things?
• Are you able to cope with change?
• Do you enjoy talking to people?
• Are you resistant to rejection?
• Are you able to motivate yourself?

If you answer YES to all these questions, then business development might be good for you.

Be aware that business development can be very challenging and sometimes you will do tasks that you don’t necessarily like and many of them are quite repetitive.

So if you don’t have patience, it might be a problem for you to keep your motivation high.

Starting with business development is easier than you might think. Pretty much everyone with a genuine passion for this field can get started. But, you must be ready to take your personal development seriously.

Why is that? Because according to a survey we run with 1000+ business developers from all over the world, there isn’t much knowledge available inside their companies.

We discovered that as much as 73% of professional BDs don’t really know what their job means and 71% never received formal training from their companies.

Besides, looking for information online is a very painful and frustrating process because most of the knowledge you find is superficial and inaccurate. I went through the same process and it took me many years before actually mastering business development.

That’s exactly why I created The BD School, so you can have an easier life navigating business development and become great at it.

So, if you’re serious about starting a career in business development the first thing you need to do is to gain knowledge about it. Which doesn’t mean only following a course at the university, but really seeking all the possible ways to learn.

These tools will help you learn business development:

1 – Check free content

Before you commit to spending money on learning business development, take advantage of free content online. You will find many resources on our blog , or simply ask Google and YouTube to find some inspiration.

This process will help you understand what you need to learn, so you can focus your effort rather than wasting time on the wrong things.

2 – Read business development books

They are your best allies. Books take longer to read because they’re more complete than any article you can find online. While they seem to take forever, they actually help you internalize the knowledge, so you won’t forget important topics and you’ll remember for longer.

We collected a list of the top 10 books for business development , be our guest!

3 – Connect with experienced business development pros

Asking professionals in your industry about their experience will open your eyes. There are plenty of ways to do so, for example, you can look for interesting people on LinkedIn.

All you have to do is ask for their advice and you’ll find plenty of nice people willing to help you.

4 – Get a business development mentor

As soon as you have clear ideas about your business development career, it’s time to get yourself a mentor. Mentors have experienced professionals that will help you set a clear path for your professional success.

5 – Take a business development course

Once you have clear career goals, it’s a good idea to take a course . Formal training will help you become more confident and know exactly what you have to do to be a successful business development professional.

You can find many cheap courses on Udemy or similar platforms but beware: cheap doesn’t always mean good. So before investing your money, make sure you find a trusted trainer that will take care of you.

If you're interested in taking a formal business development course, check out our Certification Program .

What are the requirements to start a career in business development?

After gaining knowledge about business development it’s important that you focus on building the requirements to work in this field. The cool thing about business development is that it’s very diverse and it fits many different personalities.

However, this also means that each company has slightly different requirements. Of course, we took care of it so you don’t have to waste too much time on it. We analyzed 100+ job descriptions and based on that created this short list of requirements.

These are the common requirement for business developers in Europe and the USA:

• Education: generally they require a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in a business-related field plus an industry-related field (e.g. healthcare). If you don’t have a degree, don’t despair. Many companies are more interested in your personality, rather than your degrees.
• Experience: depending on the seniority you can have a specific requirement which varies from 3 to 5 years of experience, up to 10 for senior positions. If you are just starting, you can apply for entry-level positions so you won’t be rejected based on your experience.
• Skills: most companies require communication, creativity, relationship building, active listening, organizational skills, and time management. Moreover, you need to be quite sociable and ready to adapt to anything that will come your way.

In business development what really makes the difference is your attitude. So if you don’t have a degree or experience yet, focus on building your skills. Skills combined with a positive attitude will make you stand out anyways!

Read also: 8 business development skills you should master

How to land business development jobs?

If you are convinced about starting a career in business development, your next step is to actively look for job opportunities. The good news is that at the moment there are approximately 70,764 business development job offers at this very moment on LinkedIn alone.

You can fairly assume that you will be able to find your next job.

But when looking for business development jobs, you need to pay attention to the type of opportunity you come across. Business development is a broad field and every company has different needs. This has a direct impact on the type of activities you will execute.

Generally speaking, there are 5 main types of business development roles:

• Strategic business development: in this role, you will be responsible to research and analyze data in order to spot new opportunities.
• Sales-oriented business development: in this role, you will be responsible to find potential customers for your company.
• Partnership-oriented business development: in this role, you will be responsible to find partners for your organization.
• Product-oriented business development: in this role, you will be responsible to co-create products in collaboration with other teams
• International business development: in this role, you will be responsible to launch your organization in new unexplored markets

Innovative companies use a holistic approach to business development , which means that as a BD you are actually responsible for all these areas mentioned above. However, realistically, most companies only focus their BD efforts on one or the other.

To make sure you find the opportunity that matches your expectations, read the job description in detail. In addition, get in touch with other business developers working in the company and ask them for more information about their daily job.

This will help you have more realistic expectations and maximize the chance of finding your dream job.

Another important thing to keep in mind when looking for business development jobs is the type of company you want to work for.

For example, if you work for a startup your role will have more responsibilities as well as more things to do.

Once you are clear on the type of companies you want to work for, you can start looking for jobs. You can look on famous platforms like LinkedIn or Indeed, but you should also look at innovative companies that offer job openings.

Especially if you want to work for startups , you’ll find many job portals which are highly specialized. In The Netherlands for example you can use Techleap. While in Italy you can use platforms like Xjobs if you want to work in startups.

Last, check for industry-specific job boards to make sure you get extremely relevant job opportunities. In this way, you will not waste your time with companies that don’t match your requirements.

Before applying for jobs, create your CV and a motivation letter. Keep in mind that many companies nowadays use tools called Applicant Tracking Systems.

This software helps companies to filter out good candidates from the bad ones. So my tip is, to make sure you optimize your CV using the same keywords you find in the job offer. If you’re curious, check this article to better understand how ATS works .

How to prepare for business development interviews?

After you apply for a business development job, you can focus on preparing your business development interview. This will be your moment to shine and show your recruiter the value you can bring to the company.

In order to run a successful interview, it’s important to gather as much information as possible about the company. You want to check their website, social media pages, and any possible media coverage about them.

Besides the information about the company, make sure you connect on LinkedIn with their employees in the same position. The recruiter will show the bright side of the company, but you want to have real insights from people doing your same job.

You can send them a simple message like this:

“Hi Name, I see your work at COMPANY NAME. I’m considering applying for the BD job, do you have time for a quick call? I’d like to have your insights to better understand the company. Thanks, YOUR NAME”

Last, check the reviews about the company on Google or any other review website like Trustpilot or Glassdoor.

If you don’t know where to start, follow this checklist:

• Read company mission
• Check the company history
• Read company products/services
• Watch interviews with relevant people (e.g. Founder, CEO)
• Connect with current employees
• Check customer reviews
• Check Glassdoor reviews

Don’t miss any of these steps, there isn’t anything more frustrating than a candidate who didn’t prepare at their best. So don’t be lazy and do your homework.

After doing your research, prepare for some common interview questions that you might get. We won’t go into detail right now, but we created a specific document with the 21 most common questions and a description with examples.

Make sure to download your copy and then rehearse the questions with a friend, colleague, or one of your mentors if you already have one.

Will you become a business developer?

Now you know all you need on how to build a career in business development. You will need patience and dedication if you want to build a long-term career. Sometimes you’ll hate it, but mostly you will love it!

The most important is that you’re not alone in your professional BD journey, and you can count on us to support you in every step of it! We spent the last 5 years researching and understanding the field of business development

The result is a complete 5-week live training designed to help you excel in business development and create a successful career. Join us at this link and start growing your career today!

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Career development plan

The career development process is not something you have to do alone! Business Career Services is here to help you navigate the process and help you to be successful in your search. It is not a one-semester process – students that take the time to prepare for their careers throughout their time at KU are more successful in the job and internship search process. Use this as a guide through your 4 years at KU.

Fall semester

Download the KU Business Connect app . Our app outlines career workshops, events, and announcements for Business students.

Get a part-time job. This will help you get ideas of what you like or don’t like in the world of work and will get you started on building your resume.

Join an organization or two.   Organizations enable networking and can supply lots of career-relevant information. Employers also like to see activities on a student’s resume. Try to run projects or hold an office.

Develop a resume. A professional resume is a requirement for your application to the business school. Be sure to have your resume looked at by a career advisor at UCC or BCS .

Spring semester

Take an interest inventory. The University Career Center has assessments that can help you eliminate some confusion you may have about your career plans. You can also take Career Leader-College, a test developed to match the test-taker to specific areas of business. Career Leader-College is highly recommended for students who do not know which specific area(s) of business they want to pursue after graduation. Contact BCS to get signed up.

Make good grades. 3.0 is good, but 3.5 is better. Did you get a job or join an organization? If you have, you’re on your way to developing solid work and community credentials that will help you when you look for work. Start keeping track of your activities and accomplishments including dates and specific information. It will come in handy when you prepare your resume.

Second year

Activate your HireJayhawks.com account and complete your profile. The KU Career Services Alliance utilizes an online recruiting management system called KU Career Connections (powered by Symplicity). Students are required to register for KU Career Connections. Be sure to do this before attending campus career fairs, so that your career fair nametag will reflect your current information when you check in.

Go to the Accounting or Business Career Fairs in September. Look for information as soon as you get back to campus on dates, times, and locations. Use this opportunity to see what the experience is like and practice talking to companies. Many participating companies will be looking for juniors and seniors, so this is more of a practice experience this year.

Plug into BCS activities. Includes a wide range of career programs designed to help you explore careers and prepare for the internship/job search process. Search the KU Business Connect app for relevant events.

Do informational interviews. Approach individuals from companies in which you are interested or in industries you are interested in. Talk to them about their work. You will be amazed at what you learn.If you don’t have a part-time job or aren’t an active part of an organization, get involved. Recruiters expect students to have the skills to successfully manage a range of obligations including work experiences, campus involvement, and their academic commitments.Participate in career advising to assist in goal-setting and decisions about future career plans.

Go to the University Career Fair in February. Look for information at careers.ku.edu .

Buy an interview suit and shoes. You will need these for interviewing AND eventually for your first job. By starting to build a professional wardrobe early, the financial burden will not seem as great. The Univeristy Career Center also has a professional clothing closet that students can utilize for free!

Attend BCS workshops. Attend some of the workshops on a variety of topics including resume writing, interviewing, salary negotiation, and so on. Search the KU Business Conncept app for relevant events.

Update your resume. Take this time to update your resume with activities and experiences you have had thus far at KU.

Make sure your HireJayhawks.com profile is updated. Ensure that you have the proper graduation date, major, your latest GPA, and your most current resume updated and in the system. As you apply for internships after the Career Fairs, this will be imperative.

Have your resume reviewed. Have your resume reviewed before the Career Fairs in September. There will be many opportunities in late August/early September to do this: Specific resume events, the BCS Open House, and by making an appointment with a career advisor in the BCS.

Go to the Accounting or Business Career Fairs in September. Now that you’ve already attended once, you’ll know what to expect and will be prepared to start seeking internships. Look for information as soon as you get back on campus.

Look for summer internships. Summer internship experience prior to your junior or senior year is critical to your job search in the fall of your senior year. Many companies will interview for summer internships during the fall.Hold an office in at least one organization. Without this, you may have little to show a potential employer except academic work. The competition will have both grades and work/community experience.

Attend BCS workshops. Consider one of the many workshops sponsored through the BCS or other Career Services offices on campus. Search the KU Business Connect app for relevant events.

Hustle for an internship. It is imperative that you have career-related summer work experience before you start your last year.

Attend the University Career Fair. If you haven’t secured an internship for the summer, you still have time! The University Career Fair in February is a great place to seek out opportunities.

Get good grades. In another six months you will have to explain for real why your record is what it is. Make it something to be proud of.

Make a list of prospective employers. Start researching companies that you may be interested in working for after you graduate next year.

Fourth year

Update your profile on HireJayhawks.com. Like last year, ensure that your profile is up-to-date and your most recent resume is uploaded. Fall is high season for recruiting.

Use BCS through the semester. On-campus interviewing for the entire year is highest in October and early November. Students who participate in formal campus recruiting activities are more likely to have a job at graduation and earn more money in their first role.Have your resume reviewed.

Have your resume reviewed before the Career Fairs in September. Have your resume reviewed before the Career Fairs in September. There will be many opportunities in late August/early September to do this: Specific resume events, the BCS Open House, and by making an appointment with a career advisor in BCS.

Plan to spend time on your job search. As much as you would on a class or part-time job.

Go to the Accounting and Business Career Fairs . Last time! This event will give your final year a strong kick-off.

Use our resources and your own. Not everyone gets work through on-campus recruiting. It is always wise to pursue as many means as you can. We have information on many companies and provide assistance with letter and resume writing as well as career advising. Utilize the BCS! Also, use resources that you have developed over the last few years through personal contacts and informational interviews.

Continue to search and to interview. If you are still seeking employment, all is not lost. You still have a few months before you graduate. Your HireJayhawks.com account will remain active until the August after you graduate, and you will be notified before your account is disabled.

Fill out Graduate Reporting Forms. Once you secure a full-time position, visit the BCS website to report your employment information online. This information is kept confidential and is used for national rankings, accreditation, and so forth.

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Business development: Strategic planning (Beta)

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Instructor: Oriol Reull Domínguez

Please note that this is an experiment using AI-generated audio for this course, which was originally produced in Spanish. This is a pilot course and our plan is to retire it in July. Unfortunately, the exercise files and in-course quizzes are available in the course’s original language only. Please let us know what you think by leaving a review.

This course will help anyone responsible for an area of the business to perform effective planning. This course instructs you on appropriate timing, how to receive information from your teams and ensure it is aligned with expectations, create a strategic plan and execute it, and even measure progress. In short, a complete breakdown of the essential knowledge for effective strategic planning of your company end-to-end.