Preparing Your Career For The New Year
It is already well into the Christmas shopping season. Christmas songs play on every radio channel and TV commercial, and Christmas cards have started rolling in. With all the busyness of the season many professionals overlook the need to reevaluate short and long-term career management goals, strategies and expectations. How have you faired this year? Are you still on target? Do you have changes you need to make?
Lots to think about! Maybe New Years isn’t a good time, maybe the spring time would work better for you. It really doesn’t matter when it is done as long as you review your goals annually. Think of it as a yearly check-up. Usually a dreaded event but always glad once you have done it.
During your annual evaluation some things you want to consider adding to your resume should include new courses, seminars or certifications completed throughout the year. Take note and tuck away positive reviews, press releases involving your accomplishments or assistance, bonuses or awards in a file for future use. It is much easier to do this as an annual or ongoing task then 5 or 6 years down the line when details start to become fuzzy.
When the need for an update in your resume does presents it self you won’t have to waste valuable time searching through files or old calendars trying to remember significant information. It might make the difference in getting your new resume together and to your potential employer in time.
Look over your goals (another good habit to get into!!) you made for the year. Have you accomplished them? Was it a successful year? Are you still on track with your focused career objective? Answering these and other questions will help you determine your success level for the year.
What are your goals for the new year? Can you list 5 short-term and 5 long-term goals that will help you stay motivated and working towards your focused career objective? Think about what you want to accomplish this year. Take a few classes, attend a conference, and expand your network are all productive goals that keep you moving forward. Make the goals detailed with deadlines and specific outcomes. Keep your Goal List in a spot where you will see it often such as a briefcase or in your planner. Review them often and watch them come true!!!
A note about end of the year job searching. Most people think end of the year is a bad time to search for work. But this is not always the case. Some Hiring managers are putting together budgets and expected employment reports for the next year. Getting your resume to someone who is currently contemplating adding employees can make the end of the year a great time to search for work. Something to keep in mind!