Career & Income Action Plan

Educational PurposeThis action plan helps you evaluate your current career and income situation, identify your next financial and professional priorities, and create practical steps for the next 90 days.

Use it during:

• ☐A job search.
• ☐Career planning.
• ☐Salary or benefit reviews.
• ☐A career change.
• ☐A return to the workforce.
• ☐Income growth planning.
• ☐Preparation for job loss.
• ☐Development of an additional income source.

This tool is for education and personal organization. It does not provide individualized financial, legal, tax, employment, or career advice.

Part 1: My Current Career Snapshot

Current employment status

• ☐Employed full-time
• ☐Employed part-time
• ☐Self-employed
• ☐Independent contractor
• ☐Working more than one job
• ☐Returning to the workforce
• ☐Seeking employment
• ☐Preparing for a career change
• ☐Retired but considering work
• ☐Other

Current work arrangement

• ☐On-site
• ☐Remote
• ☐Hybrid
• ☐Flexible schedule
• ☐Shift work
• ☐Seasonal
• ☐Contract or project-based

Part 2: My Current Income Picture

Additional income sources

Income questions

• ☐Is my current income dependable?
• ☐Does my income cover essential household expenses?
• ☐Am I depending on overtime, commissions, bonuses, or irregular work?
• ☐Do I have enough income to save consistently?
• ☐Would one lost paycheck create immediate hardship?

Part 3: What Is Working Well?

Identify the strengths of your current career or income situation.

• ☐Stable income
• ☐Good health benefits
• ☐Retirement benefits
• ☐Flexible schedule
• ☐Short commute
• ☐Remote-work option
• ☐Supportive leadership
• ☐Opportunities for advancement
• ☐Meaningful work
• ☐Strong professional relationships
• ☐Good work-life fit
• ☐Valuable experience
• ☐Paid leave
• ☐Training or tuition support
• ☐Other

Part 4: What Needs Improvement?

• ☐Income is too low
• ☐Income is unpredictable
• ☐Benefits are inadequate
• ☐Limited advancement
• ☐Workload is too high
• ☐Schedule does not fit family needs
• ☐Commute is difficult
• ☐Job feels unstable
• ☐Skills need updating
• ☐Career no longer fits my interests
• ☐Burnout or ongoing exhaustion
• ☐Poor leadership or workplace culture
• ☐Limited retirement preparation
• ☐No emergency savings
• ☐Too dependent on one income source
• ☐Other

Part 5: My Career and Income Goal

Choose the goal that matters most during the next 12 months.

• ☐Earn a raise
• ☐Negotiate better compensation
• ☐Receive a promotion
• ☐Change jobs
• ☐Change careers
• ☐Return to the workforce
• ☐Improve employee benefits
• ☐Build professional skills
• ☐Earn a certification
• ☐Start an additional income source
• ☐Stabilize irregular income
• ☐Prepare for possible job loss
• ☐Improve work-life balance
• ☐Reduce burnout
• ☐Build a business
• ☐Other

Part 6: My Target Income

How could I reasonably close the gap?

• ☐Raise
• ☐Promotion
• ☐New employer
• ☐Additional hours
• ☐Overtime
• ☐Commission growth
• ☐Certification or training
• ☐Freelance or contract work
• ☐Small business
• ☐Part-time employment
• ☐Another income source
• ☐Expense reduction
• ☐Other

Part 7: My Skills Inventory

Professional strengths

• ☐Leadership
• ☐Communication
• ☐Sales
• ☐Customer service
• ☐Teaching or training
• ☐Technology
• ☐Administration
• ☐Organization
• ☐Project management
• ☐Financial management
• ☐Writing or editing
• ☐Problem-solving
• ☐Healthcare or technical expertise
• ☐Relationship building
• ☐Public speaking
• ☐Other

Part 8: Education and Credential Review

Does my target role require additional preparation?

• ☐No additional preparation
• ☐Short course
• ☐Software training
• ☐Professional certification
• ☐License renewal
• ☐Continuing education
• ☐College degree
• ☐Graduate degree
• ☐Portfolio or work samples
• ☐Recent experience
• ☐Unsure — more research needed

Is it commonly required by employers in my target field?

• ☐Yes
• ☐No
• ☐Unsure

Will it likely improve my income or opportunities?

• ☐Yes
• ☐No
• ☐Unsure

Part 9: Employee Benefits Review

Check the benefits you currently receive.

• ☐Health insurance
• ☐Dental insurance
• ☐Vision insurance
• ☐Retirement plan
• ☐Employer retirement contribution or match
• ☐Life insurance
• ☐Short-term disability
• ☐Long-term disability
• ☐Paid vacation
• ☐Sick leave
• ☐Paid family or medical leave
• ☐Flexible spending account
• ☐Health savings account
• ☐Tuition assistance
• ☐Childcare assistance
• ☐Flexible schedule
• ☐Remote-work option
• ☐Bonus or commission
• ☐Stock or equity benefits
• ☐Professional education
• ☐Other

Part 10: Career Risk Review

My current career or income risks

• ☐Company layoffs
• ☐Industry slowdown
• ☐Heavy dependence on overtime
• ☐Heavy dependence on commissions
• ☐One major client
• ☐Expiring contract
• ☐Outdated skills
• ☐Physical demands
• ☐Burnout
• ☐Limited emergency savings
• ☐No disability coverage
• ☐No health coverage outside employment
• ☐No backup income
• ☐Other

If my income stopped today, how long could I cover essential expenses?

• ☐Less than one month
• ☐One to two months
• ☐Three to six months
• ☐Six to twelve months
• ☐More than twelve months
• ☐Unsure

Part 11: Career Materials Checklist

• ☐Résumé is current
• ☐Professional profile is current
• ☐References are identified
• ☐Certifications are current
• ☐Accomplishments are documented
• ☐Portfolio or work samples are organized
• ☐Professional email address is active
• ☐Contact information is current
• ☐Interview clothing is available
• ☐Salary research has been completed
• ☐Professional network is active
• ☐Job-search documents are stored outside employer systems

Part 12: My Professional Network

People I should reconnect with

Part 13: Additional Income Review

Am I interested in creating another income source?

• ☐Yes
• ☐No
• ☐Maybe later

Possible employer or professional conflict

• ☐None identified
• ☐Outside-employment policy
• ☐Noncompetition concern
• ☐Confidentiality concern
• ☐Licensing concern
• ☐Schedule conflict
• ☐Unsure — needs review

Part 14: My 90-Day Action Plan

Days 1–30: Clarify and organize

• ☐Review income and expenses
• ☐Update résumé
• ☐Review employee benefits
• ☐Research target job titles
• ☐Research salary ranges
• ☐Identify skill gaps
• ☐Calculate emergency savings
• ☐Review professional credentials
• ☐Contact three professional connections
• ☐Other

Days 31–60: Prepare and strengthen

• ☐Complete targeted training
• ☐Update professional profile
• ☐Practice interview responses
• ☐Build or update portfolio
• ☐Request professional references
• ☐Attend a networking event
• ☐Review compensation expectations
• ☐Begin a small additional-income test
• ☐Increase emergency savings
• ☐Other

Days 61–90: Act and evaluate

• ☐Apply for selected positions
• ☐Request a raise or promotion discussion
• ☐Complete interviews
• ☐Compare job offers
• ☐Negotiate compensation
• ☐Launch or test an income source
• ☐Review progress toward income goal
• ☐Adjust the career plan
• ☐Schedule the next 90-day review
• ☐Other

Part 15: My Weekly Progress Tracker

Part 16: My Career Decision Filter

Before accepting a job, promotion, contract, or career opportunity, ask:

• ☐Does the compensation support my financial goals?
• ☐Are the benefits valuable to my household?
• ☐Is the schedule sustainable?
• ☐Does the role fit my skills?
• ☐Will I gain useful experience?
• ☐Is the commute manageable?
• ☐Is the workplace stable?
• ☐Are the expectations clear?
• ☐Is there room for advancement?
• ☐Does the opportunity support my family responsibilities?
• ☐Are there legal, licensing, or employer conflicts?
• ☐Have I reviewed the full financial impact?
• ☐Am I making this decision from clarity rather than fear?

Part 17: My Commitment Statement