Checklist for Career Development Discussion

In todays intensely competitive global marketplace, the skills and expertise of IBMers are the true differentiators for the company, for our clients, and for the world. IBM wants you to be able to grow your skills and expertise, gain new experiences that align with your passions and interests, and develop in ways that will energize you and make you proud of your IBM career. Your career is a very significant and relevant part of your life, and what you do in IBM has an impact on all aspects of your life. It is, therefore, important that you take time for career planning and identifying career development activities that help you achieve your goals.

The career development discussion is part of the annual Personal Business Commitments (PBC) discussion and is critical to ensuring that the employees and managers have a clear and mutual understanding of career goals and aspirations. In addition, employee development must align to and support the business goals and objectives if we are to delight our clients and achieve the business results we must attain. The development goals and action plan documented in the PBC will focus on building the expertise (skills and knowledge), capabilities, and competencies necessary to help IBM address clients business needs and employees to grow their careers in IBM.

During the annual PBC planning discussion, the employee and manager will focus on identifying and prioritizing both short-term development goals for the current job and long-term career aspirations. This will result in an agreed-to plan that focuses on key development goals and activities that will be documented in the Development discussion section of the PBC.

PBC Development Plan Preparation Employees: Use the following checklist to prepare for the development plan discussion.

1. Review the following IBM CareerSmart guidance. 2. Focus on these career development activities. 3. Reflect on these questions.

Complete the following IBM CareerSmart guidance.

Explore IBM CareerSmart and the learning guidance available there. https://w3.ibm.com/learning/lati/sites/careersmart/html/cs_home.html

If you are deployed into the Career Framework, complete the Career Framework Summary for employees.

Employees should focus on these career development activities in preparation for the PBC development discussion.

Update On Demand Workplace (ODW) (w3) and your BluePages profile.

Review the Planning Your Career @ IBM Workbook to help identify career goals.

Update your expertise assessment (if required by your business unit) to identify any skill gaps.

Identify an IBM Competency that you will develop this year.

Update your resume or CV and include in your BluePages profile.

Explore IBM CareerSmarts PLAN, GAIN, and TRACK website information and resources.

Review the IBM Corporate Strategy and your business unit strategy.

Review your Career Framework capability level(s).

Review your past year PBC development goals and any previous development plans.

Employees should focus on each of these topics in preparation for the development discussion.

What are you truly passionate about? What are your near-term and long-term career goals in IBM and where do you see yourself in the next 3, 5, and 10 years? How can you align your professional and career aspirations to IBM business strategy and goals? If you are currently eligible for the Career Framework, what capabilities and levels do you aspire to achieve and by when? What are the key development goals and activities on which you want to focus to help you achieve your PBC business goals and your

near-term career goals?

Managers should review previous year PBC development goals for each employee prior to the development discussion.

PBC Development Plan Discussion Managers/Employees: Use this checklist to guide the development plan discussion.

1. Discuss near-term and long-term development and career goals. 2. Discuss current skills, competencies, and capabilities. 3. Identify development goals and actions for 2012. 4. Discuss longer term career development.

Discuss near-term and long-term development goals

What are you passionate about?

What roles and responsibilities have you most enjoyed/excelled in during your IBM career?

What are your near-term and long-term aspirations?

Do you want to advance in your current profession/job, change profession/job, or assume a leadership position?

If you are currently eligible for the Career Framework, what capabilities and levels do you aspire to achieve and by when? Discuss skills, Competencies, and Capabilities

What job tasks/responsibilities do you feel that you perform best in your current role?

Which aspects of your current job role are you truly passionate about?

What are your major skills, competency, and capability gaps?

What skills and competencies do you want to improve/build on?

What experience do you need to gain to be able to achieve higher capability levels and grow your career? Identify Development Goals and Actions for this year

What are the key development goals on which you want to focus this year?

How do these help you to achieve your PBC business goals and your short-term career goals?

On which of these do you need to focus this year to meet you PBC business goals?

Are you familiar with how to use IBM CareerSmart to find information that will help you action your development goals?

Are you familiar with how to find stretch assignments, shadowing opportunities, mentors, and other on the job learning opportunities?

What are the development activities you want to undertake this year, and what support do you need from me? Discuss Longer Term Career Development

Do you understand the key components and responsibilities of jobs (including leadership roles) to which you aspire?

Have you thought about what you need to do to prepare yourself to be ready/eligible in the future?

Have you thought about how you can gain this information/understanding/experience?

Are you aware of global assignments and opportunities?

What actions are you going to take this year to start to move you towards your career aspirations? Optional: Did you find this checklist helpful? Please take a moment and send your comments to lstrong@us.ibm.com.