Making the most of existing opportunities

Don’t miss the opportunities that exist for developing your career here and now.

Find out what is available in your organisation by speaking to someone in HR or training, your line manager or a union representative. Networking with your colleagues, friends and other contacts can also be a source of ideas.

Developing skills at work

Opportunities may exist for developing your skills and experience, for example:

• Project work such as developing a website, running a campaign or organising an event could help you gain experience in a different area, develop new skills or take on more responsibility, while enhancing your CV.
• Secondments involve working in a partner organisation for a limited period while your existing job role is held open, being covered by other staff. You are usually expected to provide a detailed report of your experience. Secondments aim to benefit your original organisation, while giving you an insight into how others operate and allowing you to develop your skills and knowledge.

Appraisals and career development programmes

Appraisal schemes and career development programmes benefit you and your employer because they provide an opportunity to

• review your progress to date, including your achievements and ongoing challenges
• offer constructive feedback on your performance
• agree performance objectives for the following year
• discuss your aspirations and identify how they might align with the objectives of your organisation
• look at future potential and promotion
• identify gaps in skills and training needs
• discuss your personal development plan or career plan.

Appraisals are often part of the career development programmes employers use to ensure that their staff are appropriately equipped to perform their job role. They also provide an opportunity to consider relevant professional development.

It is important to prepare well so you can make the most of the process. Some organisations run short training sessions on how to make full use of their appraisal system, or you could ask the HR department for advice.  In other companies the process may be less formal, but preparation is just as important.

Note that if you do not have the opportunity to participate in a career development programme or staff appraisal within your organisation, you can still manage your own CPD.

Preparing for appraisals

Take time to prepare for your appraisal or a career development session so that you know what your priorities are and can negotiate effectively for yourself. 

While most organisations have their own guidelines for both the appraisee and appraiser, you will most likely be asked to complete an appraisal form before your meeting. Here are some key areas that are covered in most forms; reflecting on them will ensure that you make full use of your appraisal.

Your role

Refer back to your job description as a reminder of your role and responsibilities.

• Which part of your job have you most enjoyed?
• Which aspects have you found challenging or difficult?

Your performance: achievements

Think about your own perfomance and that of your team over the past year (or since your last appraisal)

• What have your main achievements been?
• How have you played to your strengths?
• What skills or knowledge have you gained in your role?

Your performance: challenges

• What have been the main challenges for you?
• Where do you feel you have not achieved your potential?
• What are the barriers to reaching your potential?

Your staff development

• What personal development or training have you taken part in ?
• How did this affect your role?

Future development

• Which aspects of your role would you like to develop?
• How would this support your work objectives?
• What extra training or work experience do you need to undertake?
• Are there opportunities for sponsorship for relevant study?
• Are there any projects you would like to take part in, or new teams you would like to work with ? How would this benefit your unit or organisation?
• What personal development needs do you have in terms of your career path?

Sponsorship by your employer

As part of your career or professional development plan, you may identify OU study that requires funding. Approaching your employer for sponsorship will mean negotiationg your funds and cover while you are away from work. Take time to prepare and try these tips to help you make a successful case 

• Think about what you want in terms of your career and clarify your aims
• Thoroughly research potential study choices, and check what is available through internal training. Identify the best value option
• Approach your line manager or the staff development team
• Think of it as a business case: highlight the benefits to your organisation and your role within it.
• Explain how you will share knowledge with your colleagues, perhaps through regular reports or email updates.
• Ask your manager if s/he will be your mentor, so s/he could keep up to date with your progress. This arrangement may help support your cause and also add to your manager’s own continuing professional development
• State what you are prepared to do in your own time
• Explore the range of funding options: will the cost be met by the staff development budget, a department’s own budget or could costs be shared?

An alternate source of funding is a career development loan (CDL), a bank loan available from a bank to pay for learning that will enhance your job skills or career prospects. You can borrow between £300 and £10000 and repay the loan once you have finished your course (module).

Please Note: The Open University has withdrawn from the Career Development Loan Scheme so students will not be able to pay for OU study with a CDL.