Why should I invest time in creating a career plan?
There are two answers:
First, there is the answer from legendary New York Yankees catcher and Bronx philosopher Yogi Berra who famously said, “If you don’t know where you are going, you might end up someplace else.”
But the answer that will help you find your next better job is based on a question: Do you know where your next job will be? Most of us don’t. But you can target markets where you would like to live and companies where you would like to work.
Your plan should reflect those preferences and your networking should focus on those markets and organizations.
In an age of automated applicant screening, you need a relationship that will introduce you to the hiring authority and dramatically improve your odds.