Which of the following is a component of action planning in career development?

Identifying necessary steps to achieve career goals is a crucial component of action planning in career development. Action planning involves breaking down long-term career objectives into manageable, actionable steps that can be implemented over time. This process ensures that individuals can clearly see the path towards their career aspirations, allowing them to set realistic timelines and milestones to track their progress.

In career development, it's essential to not only define goals but also to understand the specific actions needed to reach those goals, whether it’s gaining additional skills, networking, or seeking different experiences. By mapping out these steps, individuals can remain focused and motivated as they work towards their career aspirations, making the approach systematic and strategic.

Other options, while they may be relevant in different contexts of career planning, do not directly represent the core of action planning. For instance, setting salary expectations pertains more to market research and personal financial planning rather than the process of defining actionable steps. Creating a professional portfolio relates to showcasing achievements and skills but is not inherently about planning future actions. Developing conflict resolution strategies is important for workplace dynamics but does not specifically address the structured approach needed in career development action planning.