by Roert Half International
The beginning of the year is an ideal time to reflect on your achievements during the past 12 months and set goals for the future. But don't fret if you haven't yet made a career-related resolution; it's not too late. Here are a few simple, but specific, objectives you might consider for the coming year.
Learn something new. Acquiring a new skill may be easier than you think; many industry associations and colleges host training seminars and certification programs geared specifically toward working professionals. You also could volunteer for a project at work outside of your normal duties. Doing so adds to your skill set, demonstrates your dedication and willingness to continually improve, and could be key to earning a promotion or landing a new position in 2007.
Refresh your resume. Whether you're happily employed or in the middle of finding a new job, you should always keep your resume current. Ready-to-go application materials are essential not only if your employment situation suddenly changes but also in the event you're under consideration for a promotion.
Expand your network. A solid list of professional contacts is invaluable for anyone hoping to advance his or her career. Professional acquaintances can provide employment leads as well as job-search and career-management advice. To grow your contact base, start attending professional association chapter meetings or regular networking events.
Remember that for career resolutions to be effective, they must be achievable. If you've done little networking in the past, start small. Aim to attend one function each month, rather than two events per week. While noble, setting your sights too high can prove disheartening if you continually fail to meet the expectations you've set for yourself.
Here are some additional tips to help you achieve the career-related resolutions you set:
* Treat yourself. Accomplishing your career goals is a reward in itself, but be sure to pat yourself on the back along the way. If your objective is a promotion, for example, congratulate yourself on an outstanding performance review. Regularly rewarding yourself will increase your motivation to succeed.
* Tell others. One mistake to avoid: Keeping a career-related resolution secret. Sharing your objectives with friends, family and coworkers will make them more concrete -- and harder to back out of if your motivation fades. Others can push you when needed, help you track your progress and offer guidance when the going gets tough.
* Focus on a few. Set only one or two career objectives so you can remain focused and aren't constantly switching from one goal to another. Write them down and post the list in a visible place so you can be reminded of your resolutions often.
* Make it a work in progress. Keep your list of resolutions fluid by crossing off goals accomplished and adding new ones throughout the year. Remember that temporary setbacks will happen, so be willing to adopt a new strategy if the one you're using isn't working.
Setting a career resolution may not have been on your mind as you welcomed in the new year, but it's not too late to plan your professional advancement. Take the opportunity now to set concrete goals for the future and dedicate 2007 to reaching them.
Robert Half International is the world's first and largest specialized staffing firm with a global network of more than 350 offices throughout North America, Europe, Asia, Australia and New Zealand. For more information about our professional services, please visit www.rhi.com. For additional workplace articles and podcasts, visit www.workvine.com.
The beginning of the year is an ideal time to reflect on your achievements during the past 12 months and set goals for the future. But don't fret if you haven't yet made a career-related resolution; it's not too late. Here are a few simple, but specific, objectives you might consider for the coming year.
Learn something new. Acquiring a new skill may be easier than you think; many industry associations and colleges host training seminars and certification programs geared specifically toward working professionals. You also could volunteer for a project at work outside of your normal duties. Doing so adds to your skill set, demonstrates your dedication and willingness to continually improve, and could be key to earning a promotion or landing a new position in 2007.
Refresh your resume. Whether you're happily employed or in the middle of finding a new job, you should always keep your resume current. Ready-to-go application materials are essential not only if your employment situation suddenly changes but also in the event you're under consideration for a promotion.
Expand your network. A solid list of professional contacts is invaluable for anyone hoping to advance his or her career. Professional acquaintances can provide employment leads as well as job-search and career-management advice. To grow your contact base, start attending professional association chapter meetings or regular networking events.
Remember that for career resolutions to be effective, they must be achievable. If you've done little networking in the past, start small. Aim to attend one function each month, rather than two events per week. While noble, setting your sights too high can prove disheartening if you continually fail to meet the expectations you've set for yourself.
Here are some additional tips to help you achieve the career-related resolutions you set:
* Treat yourself. Accomplishing your career goals is a reward in itself, but be sure to pat yourself on the back along the way. If your objective is a promotion, for example, congratulate yourself on an outstanding performance review. Regularly rewarding yourself will increase your motivation to succeed.
* Tell others. One mistake to avoid: Keeping a career-related resolution secret. Sharing your objectives with friends, family and coworkers will make them more concrete -- and harder to back out of if your motivation fades. Others can push you when needed, help you track your progress and offer guidance when the going gets tough.
* Focus on a few. Set only one or two career objectives so you can remain focused and aren't constantly switching from one goal to another. Write them down and post the list in a visible place so you can be reminded of your resolutions often.
* Make it a work in progress. Keep your list of resolutions fluid by crossing off goals accomplished and adding new ones throughout the year. Remember that temporary setbacks will happen, so be willing to adopt a new strategy if the one you're using isn't working.
Setting a career resolution may not have been on your mind as you welcomed in the new year, but it's not too late to plan your professional advancement. Take the opportunity now to set concrete goals for the future and dedicate 2007 to reaching them.
Robert Half International is the world's first and largest specialized staffing firm with a global network of more than 350 offices throughout North America, Europe, Asia, Australia and New Zealand. For more information about our professional services, please visit www.rhi.com. For additional workplace articles and podcasts, visit www.workvine.com.
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