Your HND...what next? : Action plan

A good action plan comes with plenty of research and self-awareness. The following guide has been written to help you create your own action plan, based on helping you identify your interests, priorities and understanding of the labour market.

Focus and motivation are important attributes of personal and professional development, therefore having clear goals can facilitate good decision-making and put your HND into a good working context.

Research your options

• Compile a list of what you consider to be realistic or achievable choices post-HND. For example, volunteering, internship, further study or employment.
• Identify and begin researching your preferences.
• Research the job market and match your skills, knowledge and experience to current trends and vacancies.

How to prioritise

• In the context of your career, consider what is important to you. For example, flexible working, self-employment, further study, travel, location or finance. This will help refine your options.
• Reflect on your individual skills, needs, values, and circumstances.
• Consider your financial responsibilities, particularly when thinking about further study as it can be expensive.
• List and separate the specific technical and transferable skills you have acquired.
• Think about where you would like to be in three, five or ten years.

Decision-making tools

Researching and gathering information can be a lengthy process. Therefore, to help guide you through your decision-making, use the following tools to seek further clarity:

• weigh up the pros and cons of your options;
• discuss your options and priorities with a careers adviser who can help you clarify your goals and make decisions;
• try what jobs would suit me? to create a profile of your skills, motivations and interests to generate ideas for your career pathway.
• consider psychometric testing and other personality questionnaires to discover more about yourself and your decision-making. Try psychometric tests;
• volunteering and work shadowing can offer extra time and experience to help you make your decision;
• travel or a gap year can provide you with additional life and work experience, which can give you time out to re-think and assess your career.

Checklist

A good action plan requires a final checklist of questions to ensure you have fully researched your options in the context of your individual circumstances and preferences. The more informed and organised you are, the more chance you have of attaining your goals.

Use the following list to help you make your decision and to begin consolidating your future career prospects.

Have you:

• had your CV professionally proof read by a careers adviser, recruitment agency or employer? See CVs and covering letters for further information;
• registered with graduate job websites? See job hunting and job application advice for further information;
• researched further studies and the funding and financial implications?
• started networking with relevant professional bodies, sector skills councils, employers and alumni?
• completed a business plan and researched local entrepreneurship schemes?
• identified any gaps in your skills and knowledge requiring further training or work experience?