A New Year provides the ideal chance for people considering new career goals to reflect and consider which path to take in the future.
The start of a New Year is always a time for new beginnings, change, and goal-setting. As a result, many people begin to consider looking for a new job or change their career goals at this time. According to recent research, January is the biggest month of the year for job searching. In addition, it is the month with the greatest amount of new job postings.
If you’ve been considering changing your career goals, the beginning of the year is a really good time to do it.
Why would you want to change jobs or careers?
If you’ve been thinking about shifting employment, remember that you’re not alone.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, people born between 1957 and 1964 had an average of 12.4 occupations from the ages of 18 to 54. These figures, however, may be substantially higher for generations following the baby boomers. According to Gallup data, 60% of millennials say they are open to a different work option.
There are a variety of practical reasons why you could feel compelled to stay in an unsatisfactory job. However, one of the most important is a lack of a clear strategy for a new profession. Clarify your career goals and consider the career route you want to take. This can provide you with the drive and energy you need to make the switch to a more gratifying job.
In addition, consider the New Year as an opportunity to make a fresh start, and then capitalize on that enthusiasm. Therefore, here are some actions to assist you in setting new career goals.
1. Take stock of your career year.
Take some time to reflect on your career in the last year. Try to figure out why you despise your job if that’s the case. Is it because of the work itself, or because of anything in the workplace, such as a strained relationship with your boss?
Furthermore, is it a lack of opportunities for advancement, or a dysfunctional organizational structure?
If you enjoy what you do but find outside issues constraining, it can be a good idea to set a goal to find a new job. The same is true if you’re enthusiastic about your field yet want to take on greater responsibilities. Therefore, spend some time thinking about what you appreciate and what you don’t like about your current circumstances. Additionally, this is an ideal moment to consider where you see yourself professionally in the next few years.
2. Make a list of your abilities.
Examine your employment, volunteer, extracurricular, and academic history. Look for activities or aspects of previous roles that energized or entertained you.
What was your favorite part? Make a list of the abilities you’ve enjoyed using. Create a list of six to nine desired abilities or activities that you’d like to use in a new career.
3. Conduct career research.
It will be easier for you to make decisions and set goals for yourself as you gain more knowledge. Begin by perusing websites or publications at your local bookstore or library. Explore and learn more about occupations or careers that interest you.
Each week, choose two new jobs to explore. In addition, keep a journal of your interest in each. Compare the careers to your list of desired abilities. Compile a list of questions to study for those fields that pique your interest. Therefore, you can properly assess the career’s suitability for you.
If you’re looking for new work in the coming year, look into companies in your field and spend some time looking into pay.
4. Take a look at your friend’s careers.
Activate your interest in your friends’ and acquaintances’ professional lives. Consider the responsibilities of coworkers, suppliers, or clients who would be a good fit for you. In addition, you might conduct an interview with them to learn more about their jobs.
Furthermore, you can share your talents list with them. In addition, ask for their assistance in thinking job choices inside their industry. Inquire with your contacts about the potential of meeting for an informative interview with persons they know who work in fields that interest you.
5. Arrange for a job shadow (or two).
Obtain more tangible exposure to a field. Job shadowing opportunities are everywhere. It’s easy to check with contacts in fields of interest over your vacation. It will provide you with firsthand experience of what the job entails.
6. Gain experience through volunteering.
Look for volunteer opportunities in your chosen field if at all possible.
If you’re considering a career in geriatric social work, for example, volunteer at a senior center. Consider a part-time internship in your target field that will allow you even to earn a bachelor’s degree in social work online or work from home. As a result, you’ll gain some useful experience to add to your resume in addition to assisting others.
In addition, you might even be able to convert your volunteer work into a paid profession.
7. Return to school to rethink your career.
If appealing options necessitate additional education, consider taking a class online to improve your career skills. Additionally, you can earn a certificate in a field that interests you to increase your employability.
Research local colleges’ offerings, or take a course at a local community college or adult education center. Furthermore, in this way, you can get a feel for your field of interest.
To discover more about how the program might work for you, schedule meetings with faculty chairs from relevant departments. In addition, you can complete a degree while still working. This can be difficult, it’s true. However, with the correct support from family and friends, it is possible.
8. Make contact with your old college.
Contact your alma mater (or an area college career office). They can give you a recommendation to a local career counselor if you require additional assistance.
A New Year, A New Job?
Most individuals’ career emphasis will emerge from active involvement with career resources and people in the workplace. Therefore, it is less likely to be found soul searching in isolation.
Why not start the New Year off right? Launch a proactive search for new employment opportunities now.
