The career planning process is similar to building your dream home. Start with a blueprint--your strategy for success. Lay a solid foundation of professional research--industry demand, salary potential and entry requirements. Then build from the ground up--initial contacts, interviews and follow-up. Finishing touches include continuing education and certifications. This holistic approach optimizes your ability to construct a career you'll be proud of--with plenty of room to grow.

Demystifying the Career Planning Process: Go from Groundwork to Finishing Touches

It probably won't come as any surprise to you that we're facing the tightest job market since the Great Depression. For young adults entering the work force from the ivory halls, the pressure to find a first job can be stifling. For mid-career changers and the boomer generation, switching careers or industries midstream can be even more difficult. But getting back to the basics of savvy career planning can help any demographic navigate a challenging economy. And here's how.

So just how tough is the market these days? According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the unemployment rate hit 8.1 percent at the close of February 2009. That's up from 4.8 percent just a year ago. And economists predict it could hit anywhere from 9 to 12 percent at some point this year. That's why the career planning process is so crucial to your longevity. Take some time to discover your strengths, evaluate the recession-resistant jobs and equip yourself with solid training. Let's get building.

Laying the Groundwork: Due Diligence Using Government Research
First thing's first. Hit the government Web sites hard for a background on your potential career choices. Government information is largely unbiased and chock full of statistics and factoids that can give you a fairly comprehensive preview. Here's what to look for:

• Job Descriptions. Find out if the career you have in mind is really what you want through candid details about day-to-day activities
• Required Training. If you need a four-year degree, two-year degree or professional certification, you should know it beforehand. Career education schools can help.
  
• Salary Potential. Discover how much you can expect after being hired as well as upper and lower earnings forecasts
• Employment Outlook. What's happening with respect hiring--and what you can expect in the decade to come

Building the Frame: Establishing Contact and Positive Repartee
Putting your best foot forward means much more than submitting a resume and crossing your fingers for a phone call. Everybody going after the job you have your eyes on is doing the exact same thing. You should attempt to separate yourself from the pack in these categories:

• Submission is Everything. Follow the instructions of HR specifically for submitting your interest--or risk an immediate faux pas
• Timely Follow-up. Find out if they received your information and if there's interest on their part in your potential
• Prepare for the Interview. Too many candidates get stymied because the thought they could nail the interview without preparation

Bringing It All Together: Don't Just Work--Work It
There's something to be said for faithfully clocking your time at the workplace everyday. You should be actively seeking out ways to take on more responsibility and grow in your position. Also, keep these must-do activities in mind:

• Keep Accurate Records. Tracking your projects, performance numbers and evaluations should make asking for a raise or changing jobs easier
• Increase Your Value. Consistently look for opportunities to shine on the job--they should be there--you just have to look
• Go for the Promotion. You may never get one unless you keep an eye out and throw your best efforts towards it

Setting the Finishing Touches: Separating a Career from a Job
When you envision the career building process, take special note of the word "process." A process is a series of actions directed toward a specific aim. And that aim should be maximizing your potential and overall skills set. The following areas should garner your attention:

• Continuing Education. You can attend seminars and in-services to further your knowledge--usually on the company dime
• Professional Certification. Adding a new certification to your resume can earn you more money and new opportunities
• Entrepreneurial Activities. As you gain experience in your position, brainstorm ways to turn that knowledge into a second source of freelance income

A Word on Contractors: Be a "Do-It-Yourselfer"
As we extend the home-building metaphor, career surveys and coaches can be likened to contractors. They can help you build your career by providing insight and guidance. However, don't depend on them exclusively. Nobody knows you--or what you want in a career--better than you. Rather, use them as a launching point for your own research and action.

A Final Thought: You're likely to change careers several times over the course of your lifetime. But the career building process itself should be constant. Do it right and the transitions can be smoother with each change.