The turning of the calendar is always a time of reflection inspiring many to plan for greater things for imminent New Year. When it comes to career advancement there are some things that warrant reflection, renewed commitment, new goal setting and strategic action. What will you commit to for 2015?!
Here are some things you can do at the beginning of 2015 to improve your career future.
1. Review your resume (whether you are job searching or not) – taking the time to update your resume and prepare it for use will ensure you are ready if and when career transition is upon you. Adding new skills, duties, achievements and results will also keep your mind fresh in relation to what you are and should be doing in your current role and will bring to mind the relevance of your skill set for the next job or position you will be seeking. Updating your resume before you need to also removes the stress of getting it ready in a hurry during the emotional upheaval of a job search.
2. Contact your references – so many job searchers only contact their references when they need them. How about making a call or sending an email or card to tell these important people how much you appreciate them. This will be your time to let them know how you are doing and what you are doing right now. If currently in a job search or making plans to begin one in the days to come, giving them a heads up is always worth the time. Often job opportunities arise out of a renewed connection with referees.
3. Leverage your network – Be sure to connect with your current network and see what they are up to this year. Let them know your current activities and what your plans are for your career in 2015. If currently in a job search, ask them if they know any “people to talk to or places to look” that you could follow up with. As well, make plans to increase your network by setting goals to reach out to specific people in your targeted field by contacting them proactively for information interviews. Commit to attending one event every month where you can meet new people, whether in your targeted field or not. Just rubbing shoulders with people will increase enjoyment and build new contacts at the same time.
4. Set goals and keep them – put specific actions, numbers and deadlines to your planning for the year. Increase your chances of fulfilling these job searching goals by inserting them into your busy calendar as actual appointments. New results will follow!
5. Include down time into your weekly schedule – R&R is not just a catchy phrase for time off. Rest and relaxation are the mind and body’s ways of recovering from stress and heavy workloads. Plan time for “nothing” or to do that thing that really “charges your batteries”. A person that takes a break will often accomplish more and with higher quality than someone that works straight through by “burning the candle at both ends”. Taking care of both mind and body will ensure long term success and will help you avoid “burn out”.
6. Get involved in your community – Look for a way to volunteer your time for a cause greater than yourself. The motivation this brings into life itself can act as a catalyst to improve various areas of your life and give you other things to focus on that are not all about you. Many employers value this experience as a way to determine what motivates you and is seen as an indication or what kind of employee and team member you will be in their company.
7. Target your next career move – identify your next career move and pursue it. Research, prepare and take action to obtain that next career level, promotion, more relevant position or salary increase.
8. Be more positive – focus on your potential. talk about what you have and not what you don’t have. Get over past disappointments and let the emotion go. Believe in yourself and plan to speak confidently about your skills, abilities and the preparations you are making for your career advancement.
9. Help someone else in their job search – Reach out to people that need your support. Provide leads, make connections, say “yes” to an information interview request. Review their resume. Speak to someone you know about them and “warm up” their approach to that person or company. I can recall so many examples of how career advancement has come quickly to those who are generous with their time and support to others. Opportunities just seem to fall into their laps!
10. Follow through – In an article about New Years resolutions, Forbes stated only 8% of people actually keep their resolutions. Whether you believe these number are realistic or not, even if 50% did not keep resolutions they made about a more positive future for themselves it would still be too high. Some ways to ensure you will follow through are by writing them down, execute solid planning, implement specific goal setting and most importantly increasing your personal accountability by asking someone to question you about your progress on a regular basis. By adding a support person and making yourself answerable to someone else acts as a motivation many of us need to make lasting change.
All the best to you and your career in 2015!
Russell Garrett
DAP Career Coach