RW - foRWard Health & Wellbeing eMag - Feb26 - Flipbook - Page 32
How to make a career progression
plan that works
A clear career progression plan helps you move
from intention to action. While there is no onesize-昀椀ts-all approach, a structured framework
makes career advancement more achievable.
Career progression plan template
Use the following steps as a practical career
progression plan template:
1. Clarify your long-term direction
De昀椀ne what career growth means to you. This
could be senior leadership, technical expertise,
昀氀exibility or in昀氀uence. Ask yourself:
• Where do I want to be in 3 to 5 years?
• What type of work energises me?
• What does success look like for me at this stage?
2. Assess your current position
Understand where you are today in relation to
your goals. Consider:
• Your current responsibilities and achievements
• Skills you use regularly
• Feedback you have received from managers
or peers
3. Identify skill and experience gaps
Career progression requires continuous
development. Identify what you need to build
next. This may include:
• Leadership and people management skills
• Commercial or strategic capability
• Industry-speci昀椀c technical expertise
• Communication or stakeholder management
4. Create actionable development steps
Turn goals into practical actions. Examples include:
• Leading a new project or initiative
• Seeking stretch assignments
• Completing targeted training or certi昀椀cations
• Finding a mentor within or outside your
organisation
5. Review and adapt regularly
Career growth is not linear. Revisit your plan
every six to twelve months and adjust based
on new opportunities or changing priorities.
How to progress in your career
without a promotion
Many professionals feel stuck when promotions
are not immediately available. However, career
progression does not always require a new job title.
Ways to advance your career without a promotion
include:
• Increasing accountability for outcomes or
budgets
• Becoming the go-to specialist in a key area
• Taking ownership of cross-functional initiatives
• Supporting or mentoring junior team members
• Strengthening relationships with senior
stakeholder
These forms of career advancement build
credibility and position you strongly when formal
progression opportunities arise.
