Planning five years into your future may seem overwhelming and time-consuming. Yet, the benefits of mapping out your career over the next 5 years will help you align your ambitions with realistic goals for success in your career. In this way, you’ll be aware and prepared to harness any possible opportunities that come your way.

1. What is your
5-year career plan?

2. The workplace today is very
different from the workplace a
decade ago
1

3. Job titles and role descriptions
change frequently

4. Job titles and role descriptions
change frequently
Ever heard of a Chief Listening Officer,
a Creative Technologist, or a
User Experience Professional?

5. A career is less likely to be at a single
organisation or occupation over a lifetime
Source: http://www.getsmarter.co.za/getsmarter-2014-career-guide

6. A career is less likely to be at a single
organisation or occupation over a lifetime
South Africans hold, on average, 13,5 jobs over a lifetime
Source: http://www.getsmarter.co.za/getsmarter-2014-career-guide

7. A career is less likely to be at a single
organisation or occupation over a lifetime
South Africans hold, on average, 13,5 jobs over a lifetime
Organisations have become less
hierarchical and more de-linear
Source: http://www.getsmarter.co.za/getsmarter-2014-career-guide

8. A career is less likely to be at a single
organisation or occupation over a lifetime
South Africans hold, on average, 13,5 jobs over a lifetime
Organisations have become less
hierarchical and more de-linear
Career advancement is no longer defined by
vertical movement within one organisation
Source: http://www.getsmarter.co.za/getsmarter-2014-career-guide

9. A career is less likely to be at a single
organisation or occupation over a lifetime
South Africans hold, on average, 13,5 jobs over a lifetime
Organisations have become less
hierarchical and more de-linear
Career advancement is no longer defined by
vertical movement within one organisation
Adaptability, versatility and
indispensability characterise the
modern job role
Source: http://www.getsmarter.co.za/getsmarter-2014-career-guide

10. A career is less likely to be at a single
organisation or occupation over a lifetime
South Africans hold, on average, 13,5 jobs over a lifetime
Organisations have become less
hierarchical and more de-linear
Career advancement is no longer defined by
vertical movement within one organisation
Adaptability, versatility and
indispensability characterise the
modern job role
48% of South African employees seek out
opportunities for continuous learning to keep
themselves current and adaptable
Source: http://www.getsmarter.co.za/getsmarter-2014-career-guide

11. …there will no doubt continue to be changes
over the next 5 years.

12. If anything is certain, it is that
change is certain. The world we
are planning for today will not
exist in this form tomorrow.
- Philip Crosby, businessman and author

13. Change can impact your
career planning…
If you don’t plan for it.

14. So, how do you develop a
career plan when so much about
the future is uncertain?
2

15. Career Planning: Old vs. New

16. Traditionally, a career plan involves
visualising yourself in a specific role
or position in 5 years time

17. Traditionally, a career plan involves
visualising yourself in a specific role
or position in 5 years time
It meant establishing a long-term goal
and planning specific steps over time
to make that happen

18. Traditionally, a career plan involves
visualising yourself in a specific role
or position in 5 years time
It meant establishing a long-term goal
and planning specific steps over time
to make that happen
Today however, seeing what your
career or job role will look like in five
years time is a tricky task

19. Traditionally, a career plan involves
visualising yourself in a specific role
or position in 5 years time
It meant establishing a long-term goal
and planning specific steps over time
to make that happen
Today however, seeing what your
career or job role will look like in five
years time is a tricky task
The role you’re aiming for
might not even exist by then,
and as such your plan needs
to be more agile

20. The modern career plan
involves:
3

21. Establishing long-term direction

22. Establishing long-term direction
Using short-term goals to stay on track

23. Establishing long-term direction
Using short-term goals to stay on track
Making regular refreshes along the way

24. Establishing long-term direction
Using short-term goals to stay on track
Making regular refreshes along the way
Investing in keeping yourself relevant and current

25. Establishing long-term direction
Using short-term goals to stay on track
Making regular refreshes along the way
Investing in keeping yourself relevant and current
The modern career
plan means your overall
5-year goal might
change numerous
times.

26. After all, the way you define career success today, might change tomorrow
Establishing long-term direction
Using short-term goals to stay on track
Making regular refreshes along the way
Investing in keeping yourself relevant and current
The modern career
plan means your overall
5-year goal might
change numerous
times.

27. A modern career is a path on
which we build our autonomy,
strive for mastery and align
(and re-align) with our purpose.
- Sam Paddock, Co-CEO of GetSmarter

28. So, where do you start?
4

29. Step 1:
Develop your long-term personal and
professional vision

30. Step 1:
Develop your long-term personal and
professional vision
Ask yourself where you hope to be in five years and what
you hope to have achieved in that time

31. Step 2:
Set short-term goals

32. Step 2:
Set short-term goals
Make your goals specific, but broad enough to cater for change

33. Step 2:
Set short-term goals
Make your goals specific, but broad enough to cater for change
This could include defining your desired salary bracket,
role description, key responsibilities, working hours,
and personal goals

34. Step 3:
Devise a continuing learning plan

35. Step 3:
Devise a continuing learning plan
Ensure you move with the times and stay relevant by keeping your
skill set and knowledge current and validated

36. Step 4:
Regularly question what is likely to change
over the next 5 years

37. Step 4:
Regularly question what is likely to change
over the next 5 years
This could include job titles, industry changes and new skill requirements.
Make sure your long-term direction caters for this

38. Step 5:
Continuously check-in with and realign your
goals with your definition of career success. Is it...

39. Step 5:
Continuously check-in with and realign your
goals with your definition of career success. Is it...
I want to start my own business

40. Step 5:
Continuously check-in with and realign your
goals with your definition of career success. Is it...
I want to start my own business
I want to be CEO

41. Step 5:
Continuously check-in with and realign your
goals with your definition of career success. Is it...
I want to start my own business
I want to be CEO
I want to change industries or professions

42. Step 5:
Continuously check-in with and realign your
goals with your definition of career success. Is it...
I want to start my own business
I want to be CEO
I want to change industries or professions
I want to make myself more marketable

43. Step 5:
Continuously check-in with and realign your
goals with your definition of career success. Is it...
I want to start my own business
I want to be CEO
I want to change industries or professions
I want to make myself more marketable
I want to take on more responsibilities

44. Step 5:
Continuously check-in with and realign your
goals with your definition of career success. Is it...
I want to start my own business
I want to be CEO
I want to change industries or professions
I want to make myself more marketable
I want to take on more responsibilities
I want to earn a higher salary

45. Step 5:
Continuously check-in with and realign your
goals with your definition of career success. Is it...
I want to start my own business
I want to be CEO
I want to change industries or professions
I want to make myself more marketable
I want to take on more responsibilities
I want to earn a higher salary
I want to broaden my skill set and value

46. Step 5:
Continuously check-in with and realign your
goals with your definition of career success. Is it...
I want to start my own business
I want to be CEO
I want to change industries or professions
I want to make myself more marketable
I want to take on more responsibilities
I want to earn a higher salary
I want to broaden my skill set and value
I want to get promoted

47. Step 6: and finally
Stay committed. Write a professional
manifesto for the next 3 to 5 years

48. Step 6: and finally
Stay committed. Write a professional
manifesto for the next 3 to 5 years
Give it to colleagues, friends and families and
ask them to hold you accountable to your goals

49. A career plan can be seen as your roadmap
to getting you where you want to be in
five years time.

50. It is the direction you will choose to move in,
the decisions you will make, and the
milestones you need to hit along the way, in
order to achieve the success you want.

51. Your future starts now.

52. Want to know more?

53. Free Guide:
Learn more about successfully navigating the modern
career landscape with
GetSmarter’s 2014 Career Guide
Download now

54. Improving lives through better education
www.getsmarter.co.za