Career Planning, Are You Ready?

Each turn of the seasons is a chance for a fresh start. Opportunities have been found, challenges have been met, and celebrations are over. So, what can you do to start this process off right?

1. Career transitions give you a chance for a fresh start, new opportunities, and exciting challenges. What can you to do start this process off right? 
2. Embarking on a career transition is an exciting time fully of new opportunities, challenges, and celebrations. To help you create structure during this change, we recommend the following: 
3. Just as the changing of the seasons offers new opportunities, so does a change in your career. During transitions, it is important to create a plan that helps keep you on track. Here are some steps you can take: 

Set realistic goals.

Write down your goals – this forces you to get clear about what you want. With this list of what you hope to accomplish, include goals for your current job and for your career. Make sure each goal has a detailed, achievable plan: when the goal should be reached and what steps are needed to complete it.

Document your successes.

Keep track of your accomplishments. Quantify everything you can and be as detailed as possible: include what you did, why you did it, how it benefited your employer, and how much time and/or money was saved. This compilation of achievements will be helpful as you prepare for your annual review.

Update your résumé and professional profiles.

Ensure your résumé and professional networking profiles are up-to-date, especially if one of your goals is to search for a new job. A personal website and LinkedIn allow you to post information to highlight your expertise. Ensure your online profiles feature the information you want people to know about you when they search for you.

Join a professional association.

Professional organizations provide many opportunities to network and volunteer. At the very least, attend a local chapter meeting or the association’s annual convention. If you want to take a more active role in an association where you are already a member, start with small contributions of time and energy, and plan to increase your involvement.

Be flexible.

It is difficult progress in your career without flexibility. Try your best to remain open to new ideas and new ways to do things. Make it your goal to say “yes” more than “no” at work regarding requests and suggestions from your colleagues and supervisors.

Celebrate your successes.

For every goal reached, acknowledge your accomplishment in a positive way. If you reduced the operating budget, have dinner with a mentor. If you have made positive changes to staff morale, perhaps spend an afternoon with your significant other.

Give thanks.

If you work with a team (colleagues, staff, or vendors), acknowledge how they have helped you in your career. Let them know that you appreciate their efforts.

Create a new perspective.

A fresh perspective can help you refocus on your professional goals and ensure that you are expending your energies on projects that are going to make a difference and further your career. Making a conscious decision to think about the new beginnings provides a natural milestone to reassess your career and progress.

Based on the blog article, ‘It’s a New Year! Are You Ready?,’ originally posted online by Latricia Friend on the www.personaltouchcareerservices.com blog on December 31, 2013.