1. HR Glossary
2. Career Path

Career Path

What is Career Path?

A career path is an employee’s professional progression towards career goals that include a series of jobs and experiences. A professionally managed company draws a clear and precise career path for its employees to grow and retain their critical talent.

Career paths can be of two types based upon options, choices, and purpose.

Horizontal path

It is an individual’s parallel advancement in a company, industry, or more than one industry to learn new experiences or abilities.

Vertical path

Development to either high or low positions of an employee for a change in responsibilities, roles, and time dedication.

How can the company select a career path?

When selecting a path, factors such as goals, character, and future requirements must be considered. Following are the steps to help employees choose their paths strategically and wisely. The questions mentioned under each stage will help them with the decision.

Stage 1: Reflect personality

• Are you an introvert or an extrovert?
• What are your strengths and weaknesses?
• Do you wish to work under a single or more than one niche?
• What kind of work do you want to do?
• Whom do you wish to work with?

Stage 2: Select career goals

• What type of position do you wish to work in, lower or higher?
• What range of salary do you want to earn?
• Which location and schedule would work best for you?

Stage 3: Identify future plans

• When do you want to retire?
• If needed, will you take any training?
• Will you take time off for any important event?

Frequently Asked Questions about Career Path

How can the company build a career path?

Companies should ensure the below steps to build a suitable career road for employees.

• Determine core values
• Emphasize niche fields
• Evaluate knowledge and skill set
• Prioritize goals
• Consider salary and compensation needs
• Write capabilities, job positions, and experiences for a 5 and 10 years future plan.

Why is it important to build a career path?

Building career opportunities are essential for employee growth, attracting and retaining talent, building engaging culture, and allowing employees to choose career paths.

How can employees follow a career path?

Employees must be passionate about learning new skills and gaining knowledge, engaging with colleagues, and adjusting goals if any requirement gets changed. Moreover, employees can change their career paths either horizontally or vertically. They can discuss the same with their managers or superiors.

What are the different types of career paths?

There are various kinds of career paths, such as;

• Rotation of jobs
• Job redesign
• Dual careers
• Horizontal career paths
• Accelerated careers
• Socially impacting career paths

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