Building Your Professional Development Plan Presented by Nicole Kearse Krescent Consulting LLP “Our goals can only be reached through a vehicle of a plan, in which we must fervently believe, and upon which we must vigorously act. There is no other route to success.” - Pablo Picasso

In this session, we will discuss: What is a professional development plan Why a professional development plan is important Key elements of a professional development plan Sample professional development plans Building your professional development plan Evaluating and updating your professional development plan

What is a professional development plan (PDP)? A written plan in which an individual sets out his or her professional goals, ambitions and aspirations as well as strategies related to how to attain those goals, ambitions and aspirations.

“If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail!” Why is a PDP important? “If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail!” - Benjamin Franklin

Why is a PDP important? It will help you: Clarify your career goals Define where you are going in your career and how you are going to get there Understand your existing skills and expertise and identify what skills or expertise you need to develop in order to meet your career goals Create a structured timeline and plan to achieve your career goals Take control of your own professional goals and growth

Why is a PDP important? IT IS YOUR CAREER ROADMAP

Sample Professional Development Plans SRA

Sample Professional Development Plans

Sample Professional Development Plans

Sample Professional Development Plans

Sample Professional Development Plans

Key elements of developing a PDP Long-term career goals – Partner at Kearse LLP

Key elements of developing a PDP Long-term career goals – Partner at Kearse LLP Required or possible short-term interim career goals – 5 years’ experience in oil & gas

Key elements of developing a PDP Long-term career goals – Partner at Kearse LLP Required or possible short-term interim career goals – 5 years experience in oil & gas Necessary skills assessment – what you need to achieve these career goals Soft skills Technical skills/ experience Relationships Other

Key elements of developing a PDP Long-term career goals – Partner at Kearse LLP Required or possible short-term interim career goals – 5 years experience in oil & gas Necessary skills assessment – what you need to achieve these career goals Soft skills Technical skills/ experience Relationships Other Identifying needed skills – what you have versus what you need

Key elements of developing a PDP Long-term career goals – Partner at Kearse LLP Required or possible short-term interim career goals – 5 years experience in oil & gas Necessary skills assessment – what you need to achieve these career goals Soft skills Technical skills/ experience Relationships Other Identifying needed skills – what you have versus what you need Setting out action plan to obtain skills / experience

Key elements of developing a PDP Long-term career goals – Partner at Kearse LLP Required or possible short-term interim career goals – 5 years experience in oil & gas Necessary skills assessment – what you need to achieve these career goals Soft skills Technical skills/ experience Relationships Other Identifying needed skills – what you have versus what you need Setting out action plan to obtain skills / experience Elements of Action Plan should be SMART

Key elements of developing a PDP Elements of your action plan are SMART when they are: Quality S Specific M Measurable A Attainable R Relevant T Time bound

Key elements of developing a PDP Elements of your action plan are SMART when they are: Quality Example S Specific Increase my number of clients by 20% M Measurable I currently have 5 clients. To increase by 20% I need 1 more A Attainable I have several leads that can help me achieve my goal R Relevant I need to increase my number of clients to X in order to make partner T Time bound Within two months

Key elements of developing a PDP Long-term career goals - Example Required / possible short-term career goals – Example Necessary skills assessment – what you need to achieve these career goals Identifying needed skills – what you have versus what you need Setting out action plan to obtain skills / experience Set out time frames for accomplishing action items

Key elements of developing a PDP Long-term career goals - Example Required / possible short-term career goals – Example Necessary skills assessment – what you need to achieve these career goals Identifying needed skills – what you have versus what you need Setting out action plan to obtain skills / experience Set out time frames for accomplishing action items Identify success criteria

Key elements of developing a PDP Once your plan is complete, you will: Execute Track progress to: Stay accountable On track Stay motivated Review and revise

Building Your Professional Development Plan

PDP Development Process Overview Long-term goals Short-term interim goals SMART plan

STEP 1: Set out long-term career goals Depending on where you are in your career and your career thinking, this can be: 1 year out – “I want to make partner next year” 5 years out – “I want to be the GC of HSBC in 5 years” 10 years out – “I want to be the CEO of the National Oil Company” Timing depends on you!

STEP 2: Set out shorter-term career goals / interim steps The interim steps required/possible to take in order to achieve longer-term career goals.

STEP 2: Set out shorter-term career goals / interim steps The interim steps required/possible to take in order to achieve longer-term career goals. LONG Term Goal = General Counsel of HSBC

STEP 2: Set out shorter-term career goals / interim steps The interim steps required/possible to take in order to achieve longer-term career goals. LONG Term Goal = General Counsel of HSBC Shorter-term goals/ interim steps: LLM in finance Law firm experience Exposure to various aspects of the banking industry

STEP 2: Set out shorter-term career goals / interim steps The interim steps required/possible to take in order to achieve longer-term career goals. LONG Term Goal = General Counsel at HSBC Shorter-term goals/ interim steps: LLM in finance Law firm experience Exposure to various aspects of the banking industry MAKE THESE SMART!

STEP 3: Set out required skills / experience Getting from where you are to where you want to go Research and identify the skills required to achieve the interim steps Interim Step Skills / Experience Required LLM in finance Undergraduate degree Finance experience Law firm experience Relevant contacts Exposure to various aspects of the banking industry Internships In house positions

STEP 3: Set out required skills / experience Getting from where you are to where you want to go Research and identify the skills required to achieve the interim steps Ways to research: Look online Network Mentor Career coach

STEP 4: Personal Assessment “One has to know the size of one's stomach.” - Friedrich Nietzsche, Ecce Homo

STEP 4: Personal Assessment The individual SWOT Analysis in the context of your career goals Strengths Weaknesses Opportunities Threats SWOT

STEP 4: Personal Assessment The individual SWOT Analysis in the context of your career goals Strengths - What am I good at? - What skills / experience do I have? Weaknesses Opportunities Threats SWOT

STEP 4: Personal Assessment The individual SWOT Analysis in the context of your career goals Strengths Weaknesses - What am I not so good at? What skills am I lacking? Opportunities Threats SWOT

STEP 4: Personal Assessment The individual SWOT Analysis in the context of your career goals Strengths Weaknesses Opportunities - What opportunities are available that could help achieve your goals? Threats SWOT

STEP 4: Personal Assessment The individual SWOT Analysis in the context of your career goals Strengths Weaknesses Opportunities Threats - What could hinder your ability to achieve your goals? SWOT

STEP 4: Personal Assessment The personality test – identify what you don’t know about yourself Myers Briggs 16 personalities Etc.

Practical Exercise Your personality test

STEP 5: Skills and Experience to Attain Required Skills and Experience Existing Skills and Experience Skills and Experience to Attain

STEP 6: Develop Action Plan This is the MEAT of the professional development plan SMART Actions to obtain needed skills / experience and other supports SMART Action Plan Short-term goals Existing Skills Required Skills Long term goals

STEP 7: Set Time Frames Implementation schedule Define action items and use a calendar

Practical Exercise Your professional development plan

Enhancing Your PDP Finding a mentor Career coach Networking Getting feedback

Evaluating and Updating Your PDP

Evaluating Your PDP and Your Goals Your PDP is not a static document Developing your PDP involves an iterative process

Evaluating Your Plan and Your Goals Continue to review the goals set out in the plan Review your goals to make sure they are up to date and reflect your interests and positions At least yearly Be flexible and revise as necessary Continue to review the action plan Review your progress at least quarterly How much have I accomplished? Is my plan realistic? What am I doing well? What adjustments do I need to make? Change activities? Add more activities?

Evaluating Your Plan and Your Goals Prioritise your professional development Make time to develop your plan Make time to review your plan Make time to review your goals

Conclusion What a professional development plan is Why a professional development plan is important Key elements of a professional development plan Sample professional development plans Built your professional development plan Evaluating and updating your professional development plan