Having a plan for your career trajectory is essential if you want to reach the top. A professional development plan can help boost your career by providing you with the guidance, resources, and tools to help you reach your goals. The Shoreline Chamber of Commerce understands the challenges that professionals face today, which is why we've put together a list of steps you can take to make the process easier. Here are some tips on how to create a professional development plan that will help you move up the career ladder.

Make Your Goals Realistic and Measurable

The first step in creating a successful professional development plan is setting SMART career goals. SMART is an acronym that stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-Bound. These goals should be specific enough so that they can be easily measured, achievable within a certain timeline, relevant to your current position and situation, and realistic enough that they can be achieved in an allotted amount of time.

Create Objectives with Free PDF Tools

There are many free online tools available today that enable professionals to focus on their development a little more easily. Whether you're writing out a plan for the coming months or want to set a few goals on paper, using PDF tools is a great way to keep things organized. For example, you can try this tool when you want to delete pages discussing dreams you no longer want to follow from your development plan. PDF tools will also allow you to make edits and share important documents with others. 

Utilize E-Learning Tools

E-learning tools are powerful tools that can help you achieve your professional development goals. There are many free online courses and tutorials available to get started, as well as paid courses from reputable institutions if your budget allows it. Utilize e-learning tools as part of your professional development plan to help further develop yourself professionally, such as getting certified in certain skills or mastering new technologies.

Find a Professional Mentor

Having someone who has already achieved success in their field is invaluable when creating a professional development plan. Find someone who shares the same interests and values as you do so that they can provide advice and guidance based on their experiences in order to help you reach your own professional goals more quickly and efficiently. Having someone mentor you can also give you access to opportunities or networks that wouldn’t otherwise be available if going it alone.

Add New Skills to Your Resume

As part of any job search process, having an updated resume is essential, so make sure yours is up-to-date with all the latest skill sets gained through e-learning tools or other experiences during your professional development journey. Make sure it accurately reflects what areas of expertise have been gained over time through various means, including your education, certifications, and professional and personal experiences. You can also change up the font or other design aspects to make your resume stand out.

Measure Your Progress

Creating milestones throughout each stage of the professional development process will help you keep track of your progress, which will in turn help you stay motivated along the way. Being able to see where you've been and how far you need to go can be an invaluable tool for self-assessment. Consider starting a professional journal that will allow you to monitor your development as you move forward.

Creating a comprehensive yet effective professional development plan will take some time, but the end result will be worth it. Look for resources that will help speed up certain tasks, such as PDF tools, and consider seeking a mentor who can help guide you through the process of setting and meeting goals. With careful moves, you can build a professional development plan that works for your needs.

Ready to make some connections with other local professionals? Reach out to the Shoreline Chamber of Commerce today and consider joining.