LifeSketch.co · Job Search Accelerator
ABZ Career Planning Worksheet
Print this, copy it into a notebook, or fill it out digitally. Revisit every 6–12 months or after major life or career changes.
0
Start
Step 0 · 5–10 minutes
Current Snapshot
Where are you right now? Be honest — this is your starting line.
Current Role / Situation
What do you do now? Job title, industry, education status, etc.
Key Skills & Strengths
Top 5–7 marketable skills, experiences, or advantages — press Enter or comma to add each
e.g., Project management · Data analysis · Client relationships · Spanish · B2B sales
Values & Interests
What matters most to you in work?
Biggest Constraints
What limits your options right now?
A
Plan
Step 1 · Your Primary Path
Plan A — Your Best Current Bet
The path you're most confident in right now. Where are you headed, and how will you know you've made it?
Description of Plan A
What does success look like in the next 1–3 years?
SMART Goals
Make them SMART: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound.
| Goal Area | Goal | Target Date | Progress Metrics |
|---|---|---|---|
| Role / Job | |||
| Skills to Build | |||
| Network | |||
| Projects | |||
| Compensation |
Action Steps — Next 30–90 Days
What will you do to strengthen Plan A? Be specific
1
2
3
4
5
B
Plan
Step 2 · Pivot Options
Plan B — 2–5 Realistic Alternatives
Paths you could switch to if Plan A stalls, you lose interest, or a better opportunity appears. Should build on current skills.
| # | Plan B Option | Why This Path? | Skills I Need | First Experiment | People to Talk To |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | |||||
| 2 | |||||
| 3 | |||||
| 4 | |||||
| 5 |
Best Plan B Right Now
Z
Plan
Step 3 · Safety Net
Plan Z — Your Worst-Case Fallback
If everything fails — this keeps you fed, housed, and sane while you regroup. Knowing it exists removes the fear.
Plan Z Description
Financial Buffer
Monthly Expenses
Emergency Fund Target
Current Savings
Practical Fallback Options in order of preference
1
2
3
How to Strengthen Plan Z
4
Review
Step 4 · Ongoing
Review & Iteration Plan
Plans decay without maintenance. Set a review date and define what would trigger an earlier revisit.
Next Scheduled Review
Recommended: 6 months from today
Triggers to Revisit Sooner
Layoff / job loss
Promotion or new role
Loss of interest in Plan A
Major life event
New opportunity appears
Financial change
Relationship / family change
Health change
Geographic move
Other triggers (add your own)
One Big Experiment — Next 30 Days
To test Plan A or B, I will:
Potential Risks & Mitigations
| Risk | Likelihood | Mitigation |
|---|---|---|
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