How to Create a Career Roadmap
Office of Career Development
Contents
Steps to Creating a Career Roadmap ........................................................................................ 2
1. Do a thorough self-assessment.................................................................................... 2
2. Begin to identify possible careers. ................................................................................ 2
3. Identify the best strategies for entering your chosen profession. ............................... 2
4. Prepare for your job hunt ............................................................................................. 2
Self-Assessment ........................................................................................................................ 3
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities .................................................................................................... 3
Interests ................................................................................................................................ 3
Values .................................................................................................................................... 3
Personal Characteristics ........................................................................................................ 4
Identify Possible Careers........................................................................................................... 5
Career Options ...................................................................................................................... 5
Strategies for Entering your Chosen Profession ....................................................................... 6
Gap Analysis .......................................................................................................................... 6
Gap Analysis Chart Key ......................................................................................................... 7
Gap Analysis Chart ................................................................................................................ 7
Job Search Plan ......................................................................................................................... 7
Phases & Activities ................................................................................................................ 7
Time Frame ........................................................................................................................... 8
Steps to Creating a Career Roadmap
1. Do a thorough self-assessment.
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
Strengths and weaknesses
Work values and attitudes
Interests
Transferrable skills
Preferred work environment
Here is a helpful CGU skills self-assessment.
2. Begin to identify possible careers.
a) Read about different types of occupations.
b) Interview people in occupations that sound interesting to you.
c) Based on the results of your self-assessment and research, what careers seem like a
good match?
d) Identify your preparedness for these careers
3. Identify the best strategies for entering your chosen profession.
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
Conduct a gap analysis—what skills does your desired occupation require?
Which do you need to develop?
What specific steps will you take to close this gap?
What professional organizations are relevant?
Build your network in your desired field
4. Prepare for your job hunt
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
f)
Develop a branding statement
Write a CV/ resume
Write a cover letter
Identify the best job search resources for this field, where are positions posted?
Practice interviewing
Learn about negotiating
An effective plan includes options for all contingencies. Even if you feel very sure now
about what you want to do 5 years from now, things change. Having a plan B and plan C
doesn’t diminish your commitment to your plan A. Going through the process of creating your
plans will help you learn about yourself and open a world of possibilities you may not have
considered.
2
Self-Assessment
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities
1. What are 3-5 areas of general knowledge I have?
a) _____________________________________________________________________
b) _____________________________________________________________________
c) _____________________________________________________________________
d) _____________________________________________________________________
e) _____________________________________________________________________
2. What are 3-5 areas of specialized knowledge I have?
a) _____________________________________________________________________
b) _____________________________________________________________________
c) _____________________________________________________________________
d) _____________________________________________________________________
e) _____________________________________________________________________
3. What are 3-5 areas of specialized skills I have (compositions, statistics, language, etc.)?
a) _____________________________________________________________________
b) _____________________________________________________________________
c) _____________________________________________________________________
d) _____________________________________________________________________
e) _____________________________________________________________________
4. What are my top 3 natural abilities?
f) _____________________________________________________________________
g) _____________________________________________________________________
h) _____________________________________________________________________
i) _____________________________________________________________________
j) _____________________________________________________________________
Interests
1. When I have spare time I like to
a) _____________________________________________________________________
b) _____________________________________________________________________
c) ____________________________________________________________________
2. I wish I had more time to
a) _____________________________________________________________________
b) _____________________________________________________________________
c) _____________________________________________________________________
Values
Identify your top 5-7 most important values. Write a brief sentence or 2 about why they are
important. Add your own values to the list if you don’t see them.
3
Creating things
Flexibility
Integrity
Structure
Stability
Innovation
Variety
Adventure
Competition
Low pressure
Ongoing Learning
Physical challenge
Work/life balance
Prestige
Intellectual expertise
Loyalty
Financial reward
Public recognition
Using pioneer techniques
Good work relationships
Mental challenge
Teamwork
Predictable work
Fast pace
Advancement
Work with public
Leadership
Autonomy
Public recognition for work
Mentoring
Personal Characteristics
1. List 5 characteristics that best describe you.
a) _____________________________________________________________________
b) _____________________________________________________________________
c) _____________________________________________________________________
d) _____________________________________________________________________
e) _____________________________________________________________________
2. List 5 characteristics that describe how you’d like to be.
a) _____________________________________________________________________
b) _____________________________________________________________________
c) _____________________________________________________________________
d) _____________________________________________________________________
e) _____________________________________________________________________
3. Ask 3 friends/family members how they would describe you
a) _____________________________________________________________________
b) _____________________________________________________________________
c) _____________________________________________________________________
d) _____________________________________________________________________
e) _____________________________________________________________________
4. Ask 3 colleagues how they would describe you
a) __________________________________________________________________
b) __________________________________________________________________
c) _____________________________________________________________________
d) _____________________________________________________________________
e) _____________________________________________________________________
4
Identify Possible Careers
Career Options
Following are a few resources you can use to research careers:
Online:
 Occupational Information Network - www.onetonline.org/
 Occupational Outlook Handbook - www.bls.gov/ooh/
 GradSquare - www.gradsquare.com/home
 Your professional association
 Linked In - www.LinkedIn.com
In Person:
 Informational Interviews
 www.Linkedin.com
 CGU alumni networks (from both the university and your department)
 Your professional association
1. What careers interest you most based on your self-assessment? What makes them
appealing?
a) _____________________________________________________________________
b) _____________________________________________________________________
c) _____________________________________________________________________
d) _____________________________________________________________________
e) _____________________________________________________________________
2. What careers make best use of your assets? In what roles are they best used?
a) _____________________________________________________________________
b) _____________________________________________________________________
c) _____________________________________________________________________
d) _____________________________________________________________________
e) _____________________________________________________________________
3. List at least 3 job titles of interest to you.
a) _____________________________________________________________________
b) _____________________________________________________________________
c) _____________________________________________________________________
d) _____________________________________________________________________
e) _____________________________________________________________________
5
Strategies for Entering your Chosen Profession
Based on the results of your self-assessment and research, what careers seem like a good
match? Evaluate your preparedness for these careers below.
Gap Analysis
1. What do you need to learn about your career choices?
a) _____________________________________________________________________
b) _____________________________________________________________________
c) _____________________________________________________________________
d) _____________________________________________________________________
e) _____________________________________________________________________
2. What do you need to do to be competitive for these jobs?
a) _____________________________________________________________________
b) _____________________________________________________________________
c) _____________________________________________________________________
d) _____________________________________________________________________
e) _____________________________________________________________________
3. What employers hire people in these positions?
a) _____________________________________________________________________
b) _____________________________________________________________________
c) _____________________________________________________________________
d) _____________________________________________________________________
e) _____________________________________________________________________
6
Gap Analysis Chart Key
Description
No knowledge or experience
Basic knowledge/experience
Minimal knowledge/experience
Moderate knowledge
Highly skilled with extensive knowledge
Recognized as an expert
Performance level
0
1
2
3
4
5
Gap Analysis Chart
Competencies List
Performance Level:
Required to Succeed
Performance Level:
Current Proficiency
Performance Level:
Gap
My current competencies that would add value:
Job Search Plan
Phases & Activities
Activities
Date for Completion
Progress
Self-Exploration
Identify Goals
Complete Self-Assessments
Generate Career Choices
7
Career Research
Investigate Options
Analyze Choices
Narrow Choices
Select Direction
Career Preparedness
Identify Competencies
Identify Learning Needs
Assess Feasibility
Create Timeline
Self-Branding
Plan Branding Strategy
Develop Branded Materials
Strengthen Interview Skills
Learn About Negotiation
Create Job Search Plan
Launch Job Search
Evaluate Opportunities
30-60-90 Day Plan
Time Frame
0-3 Months
4-6 Months
7-12 Months
1+ Year
Job Role
Industry Knowledge
(Competencies/Soft Skills)
Industry Knowledge
(Hard Skills/Software)
Interpersonal
Creative
8