A good action plan requires research and can help focus your ideas on what you really want to do after your HND. Create an action plan and identify your interests, strengths, weaknesses and understanding of the job market
Knowing yourself and what you want
- Take a personality/self-awareness test. Try what jobs would suit me? and create a skills profile to generate ideas for possible career pathways.
- Compile lists of your technical, vocational and interpersonal skills.
- Identify and reflect on your skills, values, needs and situation.
- Think about what is important to you in the context of your career, for example travel, location and finance, and think about where you want to be in three, five, ten years' time.
- Consider psychometric tests to discover more about your decision making.
- Create a SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats) analysis to identify any gaps in your skills and knowledge.
- Speak to your institution's careers service/adviser.
- Network and talk to sector professionals, family and friends.
Researching your career options
- Consider your current situation and priorities.
- Compile a list of possible options post-HND and start researching to identify your preferences using different resources, for example, careers services, networking and looking at types of jobs. Are they realistically achievable?
- Think about your preferences and match your skills, knowledge and experience to the current trends, opportunities, vacancies and the options they will offer for your future career.
- Find out what the state of the industry is like and if there are any opportunities available; see job sectors.
- Look at the destination data for previous graduates from the course you have studied. All institutions have to collect and publish this information. More information is available in options with your subject.
- Research local entrepreneurial schemes.
Making a decision
- Gather all the information together and examine each option, listing pros and cons.
- Talk it through with a supportive friend, family member or careers professional.
- Look at your skills set and decide whether it matches the careers and jobs you've identified.
Developing your skills
Once you've identified the career or sector, it's important to understand employers' requirements. There are many ways to develop your skills and improve your chances of getting your desired job, including:
Making applications
Market your HND to employers. Having an HND offers a good range of technical skills and industrial expertise, which employers recognise. It is important you:
- find where jobs are being advertised, such as sector-specific websites and magazines;
- register with job websites;
- identify the skills required for the position you are applying for, e.g. from the job description and person specification. Make sure you cover all of these within your application. For more information, see applying for jobs;
- when using your CV, tailor it for every position you apply for. For help writing a CV, see CVs and cover letters. Get a careers professional to have a look at your CV for constructive feedback.
Reviewing your progress
As you progress though your job search or career, you will need to reassess your situation and personal circumstances:
- Be aware that your skills set will change.
- You may need to refocus your goals and targets to keep them attainable.
- Industries and sectors change over time, so keep your labour market knowledge up to date as new opportunities may arise.
Keep returning to your career plan to ensure you are continually organised and informed, and this will help keep you motivated.
