Do you have a career plan?

If you think you don't need to always think about your log term career plans - I say nonsense.

People generally don't think about job hunting and career planning until the need arises. But in today's job market there is no longer any job security. The average person will change jobs 5-7 times in their career.

Being vigilant about your 'career security' (as opposed to job security) is essential to maintaining your personal growth as your career advances. It's just plain smart to think about potential consequences of losing a job and finding another one.

Having a career plan means this;

- Having strategies to help guide you through unpredictable times
- Shorten the length of your job search while between jobs
- Nurture your career network. Keep your list of contacts fresh and up-to-date
- Socialize. Join at least 2 professional organizations to ensure you are meeting new people
- Refresh that resume! Look for ways to stand out and showcase your achievements, not just your responsibilities.
- Create a goal for yourself. Where do you see yourself in 5 years? Work towards that goal. Allow each new job you get to position yourself towards your ultimate career goal.

Career planning means paying attention to all these issues on an on-going basis. Review your goals regularly to ensure that every step is in the right direction.

A good guide for the above is the "Ultimate Job Hunting Secrets"