2018 is coming to an end in a matter of days, and here we are again, preparing for a new year. This is a great time to reflect on what you’ve accomplished so far, and where you see yourself in the upcoming months. It’s especially important when deciding the next steps to take in your career. Here are a few ideas to finish out the year strong and set yourself up for success in 2019!
Establish Contacts at Holiday Gatherings
The final months of the year are filled with holiday parties and mixers. These festivities are the perfect time to enjoy food, drinks, and laughter – and to interact with potential business associates. You don’t have to formally pitch yourself during every conversation; simply allow your personality to shine through. At the end of a friendly chat, casually hand over your business card and just like that, you’ve added a new contact to your network.
To go a step further, set a calendar reminder to follow up via phone or email to the contacts you made over the holidays. These small but meaningful gestures can potentially lead to career opportunities in the future.
Re-Evaluate Your Goals
Probably one of the trickier things to do after landing a job, is remembering to add the experience to your resume. We’ve all heard the advice to keep your work history as updated as possible, but it’s easier said than done when you’re busy learning new responsibilities.
Maybe you had your heart set on being promoted in your current department, but you now have the desire to switch to a different department altogether. Or perhaps you wanted to apply for a new job, but you’ve decided to stay put and learn some key skills before moving on.
There’s no right or wrong decision when it comes to your unique career path, but different goals require different strategies. Take some time during the holidays to re-align yourself and plan your desired milestones in 2019.
Update Your Resume
Probably one of the trickier things to do after landing a job, is remembering to add the experience to your resume. We’ve all heard the advice to keep your work history as updated as possible, but it’s easier said than done when you’re busy learning new responsibilities.
Hopefully you’ve been keeping a list of accomplishments and tasks you’ve completed since being with your employer. While you have some down time, spend at least an hour adding relevant information to your resume. Important bullet points to add can include any new skills you’ve learned, awards you’ve won, or major projects you collaborated on with colleagues.
If you’re unsure how to restructure or update your resume, schedule a consultation with the experts at EmpowerU Career Coaching, who have a wealth of knowledge to help reflect the accomplishments you made in 2018. Whether you plan to search for a new role, or just want to have a current resume on hand, the staff can help. Email msrobinson@empowerucoaching.com for further details!