How to Propel your Career as a Planner

Career progression and development is something I have been passionate about my entire career, which means different things to different people. Not all our career paths are the same, nor should they be in a profession as vast as planning.

My own career path is no exception. I’ve had the opportunity to work in Alberta, Ontario and abroad in Bermuda. I have been working since I graduated in 1996 from the School of Urban and Regional Planning at the University of Waterloo and have a mix of public and private sector experience, policy and development experience and most recently in leadership as a Director of Development Services. In the fall of 2022, for the first time in about 4 years, I had the opportunity to sit in on some entry level planner position interviews.

The candidates had great resumes but only  a small amount of work experience. Their  knowledge and experience did not translate well for many of these candidates. It got me thinking how the path to many career progression opportunities is mastering the interview. 

After giving the whole experience some thought, the Propel Your Career event began to formulate. In May 2023, with the help of a young planner on my team, Allison Bradford, the Lakeland District Leadership Team  put together a wicked panel that included myself,  Stephannie Schlichter, Director of Economic and Creative Development, City of Barrie, Francesca Figliuzzi, Director of People & Talent, Town of Innisfil, James Reynolds, Human Resources Business Partner, City of Barrie, and Ray Duhamel, MCP, MCIP, RPP, Partner, The Jones Consulting Group Ltd. The audience was a mix of private and public sector planners at various stages in their careers, including some students working in the area.
 
The key learnings from the panel were:
 
What to Prepare for an interview
Always be prepared to answer a couple of key questions – Tell us about yourself and why do you want the job! Make the first answer as concise as possible and focus on your education, your experience and anything extra you may be doing to round out your candidacy!
 
What to do in an interview
Candidates were reminded to dress appropriately for the organization. Do your research on their culture. Keep your answers as concise as possible and read body language and accept prompts! If people are putting down their pens – they are no longer writing! If they tell you you’ve give them enough of an answer – believe them!
 
What to do after an interview
Be responsive if you’re provided an offer of employment - especially these days where you may be fielding multiple offers of employment. Ensure your references are prepared to provide you with a good reference. The panelists advised the audience members to not send a post-interview Thank You note. Inboxes are always full and a thank you note doesn’t usually change the outcome of the recruit.
 
How to progress in your current place of employment
Changing jobs is stressful, plus you may love your current employer and team. But if you’re looking for a little bit more – get yourself ready for those next opportunities at your current place of employment through education, courses, and volunteer work. Ask for stretch assignments and new opportunities. Give back and make valuable connections in your community will always help round out your professional education and experience.
 
Everyone agreed we could have continued talking for much longer than time permitted and I believe that is due to the engaging and informative panelists and the passion that many planners have on continuous improvement and the progressive nature of our profession.