Have you ever wondered why a group of people in a given class with the same baseline characteristics and shared career goals often will have different career outcomes where one group ends up in a mediocre position and the other group lands their dream job?

These actions and planning are often self-initiated, although support and resources may be provided by managers and organizations along the way. The five step process of self-assessing, identifying and researching of options, evaluating and prioritizing, taking action, trying options and then reflecting and reevaluating to establish a career path is known as career development (CD).

Resources such as the National Career Development Association (NCDA) and schools serve as conduits for attaining some of the hard skills needed to be successful. They provide avenues for skill development, portfolio building and certification among others. Another component of CD that is essential but often forgotten is the development of “soft skills.

CD is a lifelong process and as one gets promoted up the organizational chart, fewer jobs become available and it’s imperative to engage in continued CD activities. Given that a successful career doesn’t happen by magic, it’s important to invest the time to ensure a career that maximizes your opportunities for success.