The purpose of the Journal or Notebook is to serve as a placeholder to gather, collect and maintain relevant career development and career management material -- including items such as:
- 1.Your Professional Development Plan,
- 2.Your "Learning List" -- things you need to learn to improve skills, develop strengths or improve areas of key weakness,
- 3.Career assessment and evaluation results,
- 4.Career development ideas and career ideas in general,
- 5.Letters of recommendation,
- 6.Awards and recognitions,
- 7.Achievement material,
- 8.Resumes and bios,
- 9.Contact network information, and
- 10.Anything else relevant to YOU in terms of your career advancement.
TRY THIS TODAY: (a 10-minute activity). Find a 1 1/2" to 2" three-ring binder to use as your Career Journal. Set up tabs relevant to you and the material you'd like to collect. Keep it visible and up-to-date.
NEXT STEP: Use the Journal as a tool; review it frequently. Develop the habit of collecting anything you feel is relevant to your career development and advancement. It's a great "feel good" experience to review your journal. Encourage your team members to do the same!