It is estimated only 8% of people making New Year’s resolutions actually follow through. There are reasons for this:
- Unrealistic resolutions are destined to fail
- It is impractical to think one can immediately overcome a habit which has taken years to establish
- Most resolutions are abandoned after one week
- Resolutions are often made without a plan to fulfill them
For example, when making weight loss resolutions people ambiguously say “I am going to lose weight this year”, or “I want to lose 30 pounds by April”. Although these ideas sound great and carry some excitement about the possibilities, they lack the specifics or the lifestyle changes needed to become a reality.
I cannot recall how many times I have heard people say, “I am going to get a new job this year”, or “I am going to get a job after I finish my classes in April”. Again these statements have their attraction, but need planning and goal setting to become a reality.
It is important to keep a few things in mind as you resolve to move your career ahead in 2014.
- Determine your career focus first. i.e. What will your next job be?
- Create a resume that is relevant to your next career move.
- Target the date you will require employment and begin planning three to six months prior to that date.
- Being proactive will mean you will be doing job search activities while you are still in your classes.
- Do not only plan time surfing online job boards and sending out resumes to online job postings. Make a plan that includes all the components of a successful job search.
- Plan active relationship building activities that require you to get out of the house and attend various events. Take your business cards and make connections.
- Connect with your current network and also enlarge it by asking people you know and/or meet if they know any “people to talk to and places to look”.
- Create opportunities for in person meetings with people in the field and set up information interviews and/or coffee meetings.
- Practice good follow up skills.
- Identify job opportunities and pursue them.
For more information about being proactive and the various activities needed for a complete job search, be sure to review the Sauder Career Success Cycle on Connect. Then you can make your New Year Career Resolution become a reality.
Good luck and Happy New Year!
Russell Garrett
DAP Career Consultant