Posted by The clock is ticking on 2016 and as a tradition, this is the perfect time to think about our New Year’s resolutions while reflecting on the accomplishments that we have achieved so far.
A resolution is not just about breaking a bad habit or creating good ones, let’s not forget about the new goals and objectives that will not only make the year 2017 a remarkable one but will also push your career forward.
Here are the 10 career resolutions that you should make to kick-off a successful new year!
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Review your current career prospects
Get started with a complete check-list of the positive and negative things that you have been facing at work to measure your career satisfaction. You may feel too comfortable with your job that you forget about the potential career advancement awaits. Hence, performing a quick check-up will help you to determine if you need to seek new opportunity or if there is anything you can do to move up the corporate ladder within your organisation.
Feeling dissatisfied with your job? Don’t quit just yet, take the time to define your ultimate goal to ensure it aligns with what you are doing now. If you simply need to refresh the working environment to stay motivated or that you can’t see yourself growing with the current company, then indeed you need a career change.
For those who aim for a promotion, you should raise your desire during the year-end performance review to your supervisor and show him or her your willingness to learn and your capability to handle the job. Make sure that you fully understand your organisation’s direction in order to achieve the mutual goals.
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Fake it till you make it
As cliché as it may sound, the fake-it attitude can really make a difference. Once you have worked out the requirements for a new position or a new career, even if you are not there yet, be confident that you will be able to ace them within a set timeline.
When it comes to gaining new knowledge, no one can teach you better than the experience itself. So don’t reject any opportunity to do something new that will benefit your career prospects. It can be as simple as expanding your scope of work, you will learn as it goes. Also, don’t be afraid to ask questions if you need guidance to complete an unfamiliar task.
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Learn new skills
Education doesn’t stop at the end of your degree, in fact, great opportunities only come to those who always strive to improve themselves. New jobs are created every year with added skill sets required, which you can either self-study or sign-up for a training course to make sure you stand out from the pool of talents with those desirable skills.
Remember to follow the latest industry news to be aware of the new demands and equip yourself better for that promotion you’ve been aiming for, or to attract new employers. For example, if you work in the technology field, understanding the appliances of augmented reality and artificial intelligent should be the priority in your career development as they are predicted to be the game changer across various industries.
It takes time and great discipline to study while having a nine to five job, but you will be left behind without constantly improving your career skills.
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Expand your network
Don’t limit your social connections to your workplace, try to attend different networking events or professional conferences regularly to make new business contacts. It doesn’t matter how high or low your current job level is, having a broad network will only be beneficial to your career.
There are many platforms where you can check out the upcoming casual hang-outs of the industry players, prominently Facebook Groups and Meetup.com. It’s a chance for you to learn more about other businesses, the current happenings within your field and even your competitors, or simply to make friends with people who share the same passion with you.
Just keep in mind the main purpose behind the establishment of a new professional relationship, such as for company branding or for your own career opportunity. If you are going to represent your organisation, it is best to inform your boss or colleagues about the events to avoid unwanted conflicts.
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Cut toxic colleagues out of your career path
Relationships are a double-edged sword, especially in the office environment. Sometimes, it’s your co-workers who are distracting you from achieving your goals or worse, they may be the reason why you are unable to make career advancement. If you are mixing with those who lack motivation, you may be influenced by them. While keeping a professional attitude, try to stay away from the office politics and office gossips if you want to focus on your growth.
If the negative vibes come from your boss, just be honest with him or her about your issues with a professional approach. It’s important to understand your boss’ working styles and identify the issues that you have with his or her management (for example, insufficient directions, unfair promotions, lack of communication, or unclear prioritisation) and propose your solutions to keep both parties on good terms.
Take actions today to ensure a sustainable career development in the future, not only for the coming New Year but also for your long-term growth, one small step at a time. Explore the endless opportunities for your next career move on Jobstore.com.
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