Template

Career Development Plan Template

Global HR

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Career development shouldn’t be left to chance. Workers seek meaningful growth, while HR leaders and business owners need a structured approach to align individual ambitions with team and company priorities. Without a clear plan, career progression can become inconsistent, leading to disengagement, turnover, and skills gaps within your organization.

Download our career development plan template to bring clarity, structure, and alignment to career growth, helping individuals achieve their goals while meeting business needs.

Career development plan template overview

Designed for HR teams, managers, and ambitious professionals, this template provides a structured yet flexible framework for career planning that benefits both employees and organizations.

Key prompts to support a step-by-step process: The template is structured along four key questions:
- Where are you now?
- Where do you want to go?
- How might you get to your destination?
- Who and what can help you arrive at your destination?
Comprehensive self-assessment: Employees reflect on career aspirations, strengths, skill gaps, and values
Manager insights for strategic alignment: There is allocated space for managers to contribute at all planning stages to ensure career plans align with team goals and company strategy
Goal setting across multiple timeframes: From short-term skill-building to long-term leadership pathways, the template accounts for short and long-term professional development goals
Structured action planning: Employees and their manager will work together to develop a detailed action plan to achieve identified goals
Built-in review process: The template encourages continuous feedback and course correction

With practical examples and tips, this resource helps employees and managers create realistic and actionable career development plans that drive engagement and performance.

Who is this template for

This template is designed for professionals at all levels who want to drive structured career development:

HR leaders and people teams who want to establish a standardized approach to career development and succession planning
Managers and team leads who want to guide employees effectively through career progression conversations
Ambitious employees who want to take ownership of career growth with a clear, structured plan

How to use this template

Follow these steps to make the most out of this career development template:

Encourage employee-driven career planning: Let employees take ownership of their growth, using the template to reflect on their strengths, aspirations, and development needs
Brief managers on their expected input: Managers provide input, ensuring career plans align with business objectives and available opportunities
Leverage as a talent development tool: HR teams can integrate this template into performance management, succession planning, and leadership development initiatives

Empower your workforce, improve employee engagement and retention, and drive business success with structured career development planning. Get your free copy now and start building stronger career paths today.

FAQs

What does a career growth plan look like?

A career growth plan is a roadmap that includes:

Career objectives and professional aspirations
Measurable and achievable goals aligned with a time frame
Skill development strategies such as training and certifications
Timelines and milestones to track progress toward career advancement
Actionable steps for improving competencies

This plan helps employees achieve professional growth while ensuring business success.

How do I write a career development plan for employees?

To create a career development plan for employees, follow these actionable steps:

Self-assessment: Have employees evaluate their current skills, strengths, and career aspirations
Set career development goals: Identify short-term goals (e.g., acquiring new skills) and long-term career goals (e.g., moving into leadership)—use SMART goals for
Identify skills gaps: Assess competencies required for career advancement and define upskilling needs
Develop an action plan: Outline measurable goals, mentorship, and training programs to support employee growth
Track progress: Use performance reviews, check-ins, and metrics to monitor success and adjust the career development plan as needed

A structured career development plan template like the one we created helps human resources and managers guide employees effectively.

What are the three steps of developing a career plan?

The three critical steps for developing a career plan are:

Identify career goals: Define clear short-term goals and long-term career goals based on aspirations
Develop a strategy: Create an action plan with development opportunities and the steps for the career goals, such as through mentorship, training, and real-world experience
Monitor and adjust: Use performance reviews and metrics to measure progress and adapt as needed.

These steps ensure career growth planning that aligns individual interests with organizational objectives.

What is an example of a career plan?

Here is an example of an employee career plan for a marketing professional:

Current role: Marketing Associate
Short-term goals: Improve project management skills and earn a digital marketing certification in six months
Long-term career goals: Advance to Marketing Manager within 3 years
Action plan: Enroll in an upskilling course, take on leadership responsibilities in a development program, and seek a mentorship opportunity.
Metrics: Track skill growth through performance reviews and feedback from team members

How do I write a career plan statement?

A career plan statement is a concise declaration of career goals and strategies.

One example to consider: I aim to transition from an HR Coordinator to an HR Manager within three years by enhancing my leadership skills, earning a professional HR certification, and leading a development program. I will achieve this through mentorship, upskilling, and tracking my progress with quarterly performance reviews.

A well-structured individual development plan supports continuous professional development.

What is a career progression plan?

A career progression plan is a structured roadmap that helps employees advance within an organization. It includes:

Defined career paths for different roles
Training programs and mentorship for skill development
Measurable goals and clear milestones
Check-ins with managers to discuss growth opportunities
Retention strategies to keep top talent engaged