New Year’s Career Resolutions Setting Professional Goals for 2010
By Elaine Balych
Once again, it’s the time of year when most of us look wistfully back on our lives: what we’ve done, what we haven’t done and whether we’re on track with our own expectations. For most of us, thoughts quickly turn to the future. We resolve to make a fresh start in specific areas so we can move forward. Career-related resolutions are usually high on many people’s New Year’s resolution lists. With the recent downturn in the economy, it is a good time to think about career alternatives, looking beyond the turbulence to where you’d like your career to go.
Taking a fresh look at your career hopes and dreams does not have to involve time-consuming self-assessment and long to-do lists. Here are a number of simple strategies you can choose from and personalize to start fresh, get unstuck or boost your career goals.
1. Look at who you are today.
When was the last time you checked in with your career goals? Things change—including you and the world around you. What you find satisfying changes with time and circumstances. That’s why you need to update your career plan regularly.
- If you are happy in your company, your work and your industry, identify what is so satisfying and what some next, equally satisfying steps might be.
- If you are less than happy, clarify what your work lacks, what you are missing that you enjoy doing, or what has changed.
2. Review how often you connect with your professional contacts and mentors—both formal and informal.
The holidays are a wonderful time to resurrect neglected relationships and strengthen important ones. Former colleagues, employers and instructors may have fresh perspectives on career trends or avenues you can pursue. Your Career Services office can provide strategies and tools so you can easily reconnect with people.
3. Re-research your industry and profession.
What trends are emerging? What are the benefits and potential challenges of a changing economy? Who seems to be growing and what future opportunities does that growth offer you? Who are the current industry experts? The up-and-comers? What changes are they talking about in the next five to ten years? Compare what you learn with your current competencies and abilities, then look for professional development opportunities that interest you or may be key to your continued success.
4. Become more active in a professional organization.
Volunteer for an executive position. Sit on a committee. Speak at a conference or event. Publish an article in a journal or newsletter. Active participation improves your knowledge, exposes you to people of influence, and ultimately leads to more opportunities and greater personal satisfaction.
5. Become more visible at work.
Volunteer for a company committee, event or challenging project. Often, these opportunities can showcase your leadership skills in new or unexpected ways, and remind current leaders of your contribution above and beyond your job responsibilities.
6. Update your resume.
Whether you are planning to look for new opportunities within or outside your current company, or want to prepare for the unexpected in turbulent times, it’s a great idea to take stock of your ever-changing skills, achievements and competencies. Target your resume to address what you know about the needs of your industry. Contact your Career Services office to gauge how it meets today’s expectations.
7. Update yourself professionally.
Research and sign up for a class, conference, program or webinar related to your work. Think about what areas you need to brush up on to help manage your current responsibilities and support next-step goals.
8. Get organized to help deal with interruptions that routinely cross your desk.
Are your files (paper or electronic) no longer serving you well? Declutter, archive and reorganize to boost your spirit and productivity. Do phone calls and emails take you off track? Schedule a specific time slot each day to attend to these, freeing up blocks of time for other projects.
9. Expand your horizons.
Read books, take a class, attend a retreat or try out a new hobby outside your professional realm. Many people discover new opportunities and insights when they engage themselves in fresh ways.
10 Plan how you will implement resolutions and celebrate your success.
Write down your SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, Time-specific) goal(s) for each resolution you make. Prioritize them. Identify a personal reward you will give yourself to celebrate each big and small step in your success. Keep your prioritized list where you will be inspired by your resolutions every day.
Have a Happy New Year and a great 2010! CO
Elaine Balych, B.A., CCDP, is Coordinator of Career Education/Career Development at Career Services, Mount Royal College, in Calgary.