At the beginning of each new year, self-reflection is a major focus. While many New Year’s resolutions focus on personal growth and changing habits, it’s a great time to focus on positive change for your career. Whether your goal is to get a new job or improve in the one you’ve got, we’ve compiled the best New Year’s resolutions for your career.
Review and Update Your Resume
Think about your experiences throughout the past year. Did you learn any new skills? Add responsibilities to your role? Were you promoted or did you change jobs?
It’s a good idea to update your resume once a year so that you’re always ready for a new opportunity. If you let years go by, you may forget the details of your work and when you achieved certain goals or milestones.
Connect with Your Network
The new year is a great time to get in touch with connections from years past. It’s an easy conversation starter and a good excuse for a chat. It won’t be awkward to reach out to an older contact if you lead with well wishes for the new year!
Learn New Skills
Now is a great time to commit to learning something new! Choose topics that interest you, but also be aware of any skills you may need to achieve your dream job. Online classes abound, with options ranging from free to paid courses. You can find courses on any topic and, once you’ve completed them, add the skills and the courses to your resume.
You can also get certifications for any skills you already have. Read more about how to include certifications on your resume.
Set Goals for the Year
Goals keep us on track and help us stay motivated to improve ourselves. Goals should be SMART – specific, measureable, attainable, realistic, and time-bound. It’s often easiest to start with one long-term goal for the year and then work backwards, breaking the big goal into smaller milestones.
Long-term goals could include finding a new job, moving into a new industry, or building your online followers and connections. Some smaller goals that will help you advance could be posting on LinkedIn consistently, getting your office space organized, becoming certified in a new skill, or attending a certain number of networking events.
Carve Out Time for Self-Care
None of these resolutions should take precedence over taking care of yourself, both physically and mentally. Make sure you are dedicating time to activities that are not work-related! Explore new hobbies or spend time on things you already enjoy. Exercise in some way, not only your body but also your brain! Spend time with family and friends who bring you joy. Spending time away from work will give you the space and separation you need to appreciate it more.
No matter what resolutions you decide on, stay positive and focused. You are the only one responsible for your life, so commit to doing your best to see them through!