Personal Development Plan template

by Amber Rolfe

Feeling a bit lost about where your career is heading? If you have no idea where you’ll be in five years, it might be time to make a plan.

Creating a Personal Development Plan (PDP) helps you map out your future, manage your own learning, and give your career direction. It’s your secret weapon for turning vague ambitions into solid achievements.

We’ve already covered the basics of what you need to know about Personal Development Plans, but to help you plan in the right way, we’ve put together a free PDP template to get you started:

How to write a Personal Development Plan (PDP)

Ready to take charge of your career? Follow these seven steps to build a powerful and effective Personal Development Plan.

1. Set your main objectives

First things first, you need to define your goals. For some, these might be long-held dreams just waiting for the right moment. For others, it might require a bit of soul-searching.

If you’re feeling stuck, ask yourself:

• Where do I want to progress in my career?
• Would I be happier in a different role or industry?
• What new skills would make me feel more fulfilled?
• What achievements matter most to me?

Once you have a list of goals, prioritise them. Try not to tackle too much at once. Be realistic about what you can achieve and remember that goals can be short-term or long-term, big or small.

Examples:

• ‘I want to become a certified Project Manager within two years.’
• ‘I want to move up from my Sales Assistant role to a management position.’

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2. Identify your strengths

With your goals set, it’s time to look at what you’re already good at. What skills, talents, and experiences do you have that will help you succeed? 

Even if you don’t have direct experience, your strengths can include anything from being a great communicator and having a creative mindset to being dedicated or having a knack for numbers. 

Identifying these strengths can also shine a light on areas where you might need to improve.

Examples:

• ‘I’m great at talking to people and have years of experience in customer service roles.’
• ‘I have a keen eye for detail and enjoy creative projects in my spare time.’

How to answer: What are your strengths?

3. Pinpoint your areas for development

If you dread the classic interview question, ‘what are your weaknesses?’, this section will be a lifesaver.

Identify the skills or knowledge you need to improve to reach your goals. By honestly assessing where you can grow, you can create a realistic plan to turn those weaknesses into strengths. 

Make sure these development areas are directly linked to your main objectives to keep yourself motivated.

Examples:

• ‘I lack accredited AAT qualifications to start a career in accounting.’
• ‘My web design skills are basic and need to be more advanced for me to progress in this field.’

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4. Research the skills and knowledge you need

Do some digging to find out what it really takes to achieve your goals. What specific skills, qualifications, or experience will help you bridge your skill gaps?

For example, if your goal is to become a Social Worker but you have no experience, you might need to look into a specialised course or even a university degree. 

Alternatively, you might just need to get some hands-on experience through an internship or volunteering.

Examples:

• ‘I need to gain an NVQ Level 3 in Beauty and Make-up.’
• ‘I need at least one year of experience in marketing to be considered for more senior roles.’

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5. Create concrete action steps

Now you’re ready to outline the concrete actions that will move you forward. Your action steps should be based on your development areas and the skills you need to gain. The number of actions for each goal will depend on its complexity.

Academia isn’t for everyone, and neither is a purely practical approach - so choose the path that suits you best. 

Actions could range from reading a book on a specific topic to completing an apprenticeship or taking a professional course.

Examples:

• ‘Enrol in and complete a personal trainer course.’
• ‘Secure a three-month unpaid internship at a publishing house.’

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6. Set a clear timeframe for each goal

A deadline gives you a target to aim for and helps you stay on track. Be realistic with your timeframes, considering how long each action step will take. 

It’s also wise to account for potential obstacles that might cause delays. Life happens, after all.

Setting target dates keeps you accountable and turns your plan into a real project with a clear end-point.

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7. Track your progression

Finally, make a habit of tracking your development. 

Regular check-ins help you see how far you've come, which is a great confidence booster. It also shows you which areas you’re excelling in and which might need more attention.

By recognising roadblocks early, you can adjust your plan and find new ways to stay on course towards your main objective.

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Ready to get started? 

Our free Personal Development Plan template will make it quick and easy. 

Download it below and start mapping out your journey to success.

Ready to work on your personal development? View all available job opportunities now, or grow your skills with a course.