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Have you started off 2011 with a solid career plan or are you stuck in the slow lane without a clue? If you could use a few pointers for keeping you and your career on track, 0ur Twitter #careerchat has you covered with great tips from our fabulous tweeters.

Take it from @Careerbright: “Career action plans must be PROACTIVE, not REACTIVE.”

Q1: What are the main components of a career action plan?

• @myFootpath: I break mine up into time frames: 6 months, 1 year, 5 years
• @KCDEE5: Where you are, where you want to be and the plan is how you are going to get there
• @Careerbright: As with any plan – career action plan must be SMART – specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and timely
• @SaleStart: First you need to do some soul searching to determine your career goals
• @DaveYouTern: Company research. Set goals. Periodically review milestones to track progress.
• @LangfordDeb: Breaking down a large goal: finding a job, into managable steps is the beginning of a career plan
• @MyPath: I like looking at the LI profiles of people who do what I want to do. Great info on how to get there.
• @YouTernMark: Figure out what you want, then make SURE that is REALLY what you want. Volunteer, intern, job shadow.
• @Careerbright: Flexibility must also be accounted for in your action plan, be ready to CHANGE & EVOLVE with the flow
• @LangfordDeb: Researching your options can include blogs, industry or fcn specific websites, career databases thru public libraries.

Q2: How do you get started on putting together an action plan?

• @degreestoday: First, you have to know WHAT you want.
• @myfootpath: A career action plan should specific steps with a built-in reward system. It will keep you focused and motivated
• @MaggieMistal: Brainstorm all the action steps to get from where you are to your goal, break down larger steps, put to timeline
• @Careerbright: I think there is no ONE tool or even two that can help you get it rolling – it’s a PROCESS
• @MaggieMistal: MyGoals.com is a site that helps w/preplanned steps/programs 4 career & other goals
• @MyPath_MP: You might want to use sites like the @Vault or @glassdoordotcom to help you research
• @kcdee5: Assess skills, find ones needed, how 2 learn them, how to market once you have them
• @myFootpath: My planning tools: colored sharpies, a 16 month calendar, lots of scratch paper, and Pandora
• @ALKUTech: Networking & establishing key relationships should be at the top of the list. It’s one of best ways to achieve your career goals
• @LangfordDeb: Conduct info mtgs with colleagues and referrals of people who have the job you are after. Learn how they got there!
• @Careerbright: 1. Explore occupations 2. Explore your current skill set 3. Delve deeper to know what you WANT
• @MaggieMistal: Track progress and be honest about what’s getting in your way – fear, lack of motivation, etc. Mindset is key to success

Q3: When do you need to adjust/revisit your action plan?

• @myFootpath: When a revolution shakes your industry, it’s time to revisit your career action plan.
• @ComeRecommended: Review it constantly…not just when things aren’t going to plan.
• @KCDEE5: Whenever you attain an original goal, you need to reevaluate, you need an if/then philosophy
• @degreestoday: You should look over it often, even it’s just quarterly. If you have gone astray, it’s time to kick it back into motion.
• @Careerbright: Know your PERFORMANCE EVALUATION system-V. imp. thing to do to keep track of career action plan as an employee
• @dianaantholis: Action plans are fantastic, but don’t let it overwhelm you. It should be an invigorating process to go thru.
• @KCDEE5: Do you stick to the same profession or change completely? if the same is there growth potential, if not change!
• @StartWire: If you are designing own career plan, better chance of success if you let people you trust know your targets.
• @LangfordDeb: Part of your career plan should be updating your resume with recent accomplishments routinely so you don’t forget them.

Want more? Get the full transcript.

Job seeker? Just want to get ahead in your career?

Join our Twitter #careerchat Tuesdays @ 12 PM CT to talk about everything from friending your boss on Facebook to personal branding to how to get a call back from recruiter.

How to join: Go to Tweetchat.com and follow the hashtag “careerchat” at noon CT every Tuesday!