kick off the new year with a smart career plan

What better time to kick your career into high gear than the start of a brand new year plan?

The secret to success is in the planning. As the year ends, you can still plan for a successful year by setting personal and professional goals.

Change is a marathon, not a sprint. 

Meaningful, sustainable change is a series of small, manageable steps that add up and take you where you want to be. 

But first, you need to know what you want and where you want to go to get there.

1. start with reflection

Start your planning by evaluating your career goals thus far. Start with big-picture thinking, and then drill down to the details of how you want to achieve your goals.

Think about the successes and the less-than-great experiences you’ve had and what you learned from them. 

• What skills have you used most frequently? 
• What skills do you want to gain in the coming year?
• Consider your values — what’s really important to you in your career options and your life? 
• Is there room for growth in your current organization, or is a new position with a new employer in the cards?

Create a list of job options in your company or search for new jobs that match your goals, skills, and values. Start planning your career.

2. update your branding

Whether you’re staying put or moving on in your career development — update your resume and all your social media profiles.

Now’s the perfect time to refresh your photos and ensure they reflect the current you. Make sure they know not only who you are but who and where you want to go next. 

Anything that describes you has to have the same consistent message and keywords. Don't forget to add new skills and interests that you have acquired since your last update.

3. give networking a try

We know that networking is rarely fun. But hear us out in our current work landscape. Who you know is as important as what you know in the world of work.

Include the names of people you know and want to connect with in your plan to build your network.

Discover the important people in the departments and organizations you are interested in and contact them for career advice.

As the year ends, many companies slow down in anticipation of the December break. Now is a good time to meet them and learn about their organizations, roles, and what they want in successful candidates.

It's an important first step in advancing your career paths.
While you are networking, seek a mentor or become one yourself. A mentor can provide invaluable guidance and support as you navigate your career path and open up an entirely new network for you. 

If you have experience and knowledge to share, consider becoming a mentor to someone else within your organization or industry.

4. focus on learning

If you plan on staying in your current role, become the subject matter expert. Become the person others turn to when they need to know anything about the job. 

Identify areas where you can expand your expertise or acquire new skills that are in demand in your field. 

Consider online courses, workshops, or professional certifications that can add value to your resume and make you a more attractive candidate to employers.

Some short-term goals could be sourcing new conferences, organizations, and seminars and adding them to your calendar for the New Year. You will feel inspired and improve your personal brand in your current role. 

You’ll position yourself as the go-to person, an ideal mentor and guide for others in the organization. And you’ll have more impetus for extending your reach professionally.

5. clean up your workspace

Long-term goals could be to clean up your workspace and keep it clean. Try using the waning days of December as an action plan to clean house.

Clean up your computer. Empty your email inbox, delete files that are no longer relevant and archive the ones you’ll need. Organize your desk, update your materials and your professional and personal files.

At home, update your work wardrobe. Start by cleaning and organizing your drawers and closets. You’ll now know what you have and what you need to start the year off in style. 

Make sure everything you keep is clean and in good repair.

6. adopt healthy habits

This new year plan might be easier said than done. The New Year is the perfect time for self-improvement in your work life and home life.

If going all in on healthier habits doesn’t seem to make sense, make stepping-stone goals. Increase the amount of sleep you’re getting in 15-minute intervals. 

Add one more veggie to each meal so that extra holiday weight doesn’t stick around.

Notice we didn’t advise you to start a diet; instead, make small changes to build on your success. Think health, not numbers on a scale.

If you haven’t had a physical or dental exam in a long time, book an appointment. Get your eyes checked. Stay healthy for yourself, your loved ones, and your career.

We need good health to continue to live longer.

7. set your goals

Set clear and specific career goals for the New Year. What do you want to achieve regarding job title, salary, professional development, or anything outside of your work life? 

Having well-defined goals will provide you with direction and motivation throughout the year.

While setting your goals, it is a good time to think about your time management. Create a time management plan to help you prioritize tasks and responsibilities. 

Efficient time management can help you accomplish more in less time, reducing stress and increasing productivity.

Having a clear plan for a good year helps you stay focused and gets you started on your journey to success. 

Once you write things down, they become more tangible and attainable. Once you see how manageable each step along the way is, the more confident you’ll be to move forward.

And don’t forget to enjoy the journey!

After looking at where you're at, are you ready to switch careers or check out new job options this year? See what we've got to offer and open the door to exciting opportunities!