The finish line is in sight!
The previous steps helped you figure out what you enjoy, what kind of work you could do, where to look for job opportunities, and how to develop yourself. Now we’ll help you bring all that knowledge together and create a concrete, personalized plan to reach your goal. Sounds good, right?
Let’s get started!
Create a Career Plan
The aim of the following exercise is to map out the steps you can take to reach your ideal future or a specific job. First, form the clearest possible picture of your future. Then map the path backwards from that point to the present. This helps you identify exactly which steps will lead you to your final goal.
The worksheet includes a sample completed in Czech and a blank template.
Start by downloading the WORKSHEET
Guide:
- Write your ideal outcome in the center of the map. The more specific you are, the easier it will be to map out your plan. Example: I teach English and Geography at a high school in Brno.
- Think about what results you need to achieve in every important area of your life. We recommend dividing them into: practice, education, family & relationships, and personal values (interests).
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Work backwards: What steps must you take before you reaching that result? Ask yourself:
- What do I need to do to achieve my goal?
- How can I do it?
- Is there something else I can or want to do before this step?
Write down specific steps for each are of your life. The number of steps is up to you.
Example: What do I need to do to teach English and Geography at a high school in Brno? (Practice, education, family & housing, interests & values)
4. Arrange your steps in the map so that the ones you need to take first are at the outer edge. Steps that lie further in the future should be placed closer to the inner circle (your ultimate goal).
5. Add deadlines to each step if you want, thus creating both a map and a timeline.
TIP: The map might look like it is chockfull of difficult steps. What scares you the most? Write down which ones and how they make you feel. It might be uncomfortable to think about, but don’t leave these thoughts unfinished. Reflect on whether there’s any moment where you can step in or something you can do to feel better and overcome the obstacle.
Build your career portfolio
A career portfolio can include your CV, LinkedIn profile, cover letter, references, records of past work experience, certificates and diplomas, samples of your work, and more. Basically anything that proves your skills and experience.
CV (Curriculum Vitae)
First, you need to create your CV. This is a basic document listing your work experience, education, certificates and courses, technical skills, and more. Recruiters use it to decide whether you’re a good fit for the position you’re applying for. If you’re wondering what to include (and what not to), check out our online course or book a consultation:
CV Online Course CV Consultation
Cover letter
A cover letter complements your CV. It includes things that didn’t fit into the CV, but be careful: It has its own rules. Its main purpose is to explain your motivation: Why you want the job and what you can offer the organization. Always send a cover letter with your CV unless the ad explicitly says they don't want one. You won’t hurt your chances — in fact, you’ll show extra interest by putting in additional effort. If you’re unsure what your cover letter should include, check out our online course or book a consultation:
Contact potential employers
Tips for responding to a job ad:
- Respond immediately! Most ads have a set time during which they collect applicants; however recruiters sometimes start interviews while the ad is still active. They might even find their favourite candidate in the first few days, making it much harder to get noticed later. Reply as early as you can.
- A cover email is not a cover letter. Avoid this common mistake – they are not the same! A cover email is the short message you write into the body of your email, including a greeting and a brief note on why you’re writing. A cover letter is longer and more detailed, ideally half to one A4 page, but not longer.
- Send your CV and cover letter as PDFs. Ideally with your name in the file title. A PDF keeps your formatting intact. The same applies when uploading files to application portals. Always attach your cover letter, as it shows genuine interest, because you went the extra mile.
How to increase your chances
- Contact specific people. It might take a bit of detective work, but it’s worth finding a direct contact to someone in HR or the team lead. You’ll boost your chances of someone actually reading your email instead of it getting lost in a generic contact address.
- Make your cover email interesting. As mentioned above, if you’re not responding to an advertised role but reaching out proactively, the cover email matters a lot. It should spark enough interest for them to open your CV and reply.
- Reach out in the first half of the week. The rule of a thumb is: People tend to be most productive from Monday to Wednesday, when they have more energy after the weekend and not yet thinking about the next one.
Prepare for the interview
Interview tips
Now there’s only one thing left — prepare for the interview! Some people might find that scary, so here are a couple of tips that should help.
- Prepare a short introduction. The Elevator Pitch technique can help.
- Get ready for the frequently asked questions: Why do I want this job? Why this company? What’s my salary expectation? When can I start?
- Learn something about the organization: What do they do? What are their projects? What do you like about them?
- Read the job ad again. If something’s unclear, you know what to ask.
- Dress comfortably. We certainly recommend appropriate dressing but make sure you can focus on the interview without thinking about your itchy shirt or dress.
If you want to know more, check out our online course or come practice a mock interview with us!
Did you know ...
When the salary topic comes up at an interview, it’s better to give a range instead of one exact number. That leaves room for negotiation. Just make sure you’re okay with the lower end of that range. It also helps to research standard salaries for similar positions.
