Why You Need to Define Your Career Growth Plan

Career growth means different things to different people. Whether that growth is more impact, money, prestige, power, influence, freedom, a higher title, increased knowledge, increased skill set, network expansion, or simply more flexibility. Individuals define what that growth looks like to them. And as humans, as professionals, we will never stop pursuing growth- whatever that looks like to each of us. Because the minute we do, that's when we are no longer alive. Regarding our careers, the concept of growth becomes particularly important.

The burning desire to grow in our profession is a fundamental need.

In pursuit of career growth, one needs clarity on the motivation behind the growth. Once upon a time, I was phone screening a candidate for a position I was hiring for. And I asked her why she was leaving her current job. She paused for a bit, then responded, "I want to grow with a company" At that point, I wanted to know more. I wanted to learn about her intrinsic motivations and what growth means to her. So I asked her, "Elaborate a bit for me, what does growth look like to you." A question I later realized she was ill-prepared to answer. Perhaps she didn't think I would follow up with such a question. Now, of course, I couldn't have presumed to know what she meant by growth, and indeed, I wasn't going to think she was looking to just "physically grow" with a company.

Upon hearing my question, she responded, "You know, like I said, grow with a company." To my surprise, she couldn't tell me what that growth was. She kept repeating the word "grow" as if I was the slow one who didn't understand what she meant by growth.

Needless to say, this candidate didn't get the job. And I think about all the talented professionals who cannot manifest their career growth because they fundamentally lack clarity on what they want. As a hiring manager, I interview many people and hear different stories and motivations.

The decision of who gets the job has never been based on the interviewee with the highest degree and experience.

As a job seeker, you must understand that hiring managers believe you can do the job if invited to an interview. Hence, they are taking the time to learn if you would be a culture fit and what Danielle Leslie puts it, culture add. Once you take the interview, you can only lose the job, per your responses.

The sad truth is that many applicants are never told what they are doing wrong or how they are sabotaging their career success. If lucky enough, those who do not get the job simply receive a rejection letter without explaining why they didn't get the job.

And unfortunately, if no one sits you down and shows you what you are doing wrong, you'd keep repeating the same mistakes.

And just like that, you delay your career progression. This is why defining what career growth means to you personally is highly important. Because it will drive how you approach your career, the opportunities you choose to pursue, and the ones you let go. It's ok if you don't know what that looks like. There are professionals who can guide you in making such decisions. You must, however, be willing to invest in yourself to seek professional help if that is what it takes. 

In another blog, I will talk about the importance of career coaching and why you need a career coach.

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Angela Ansa is the Co-founder and C.E.O. of Aspire Prosthetics and Orthotics, Inc., and the Founder of Career Oasis. After climbing the corporate ladder and obtaining a master's certification in life coaching, Angela created the most cutting-edge career development and career coaching program- Career Oasis. Designed to provide educated professionals with the mindset support, tools, and strategies to get unstuck and accelerate their careers into the direction they want so that their careers don't burn them out but give them more money, freedom, and a massive impact.