As 2006 draws to an end, CareerWomen.com advises that now is the time to plan for 2007 career goals. In addition to creating holiday shopping lists, take the time to create your own career strategy checklist to make 2007 a career-defining year.
JillXan Donnelly, president of CareerWomen.com advises, “Take some time during November and December to conduct a reality check of your professional life. This means evaluating your career path, updating your resume to reflect recent accomplishments, and creating goals for next year.
Many companies do a lot of hiring and promoting in the first quarter of the year. If you take the time now to ready yourself for new opportunities, you can breeze through the holidays and be confident in your ability to meet new career prospects.”
CareerWomen.com’s top five career strategy checklist includes:
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Prepare for the year ahead by reflecting on this year’s accomplishments
Did you accomplish or exceed your professional goals in 2006? Take stock now and close any gaps before the end of the year. In addition, make a list of all of your accomplishments and be sure to write down why you were successful. A surefire way to make a great impression on your boss is to make an appointment now to talk about your goals for 2007. Being proactive will set you apart from your colleagues.
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Update your resume to show off the best of you
After creating your most current accomplishments list, take it one more step and update your resume. You may want to update your resume style to better reflect your aspired position. Ask the question, “Does this resume style convey who I want to be?”
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Determine goals for 2007 and think outside the box
If you are accomplishing your goals without breaking a sweat, now may be a good time to decide if you should stay in your current job or look for opportunities elsewhere. Remember, it is always best to look for opportunities within your organisation first before venturing outside.
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Take stock in your worth by evaluating your salary and perks
While salary is important, most people like jobs that reward them in other ways such as value to the organisation or flexible work environments. Research your salary range to find out if you are being compensated appropriately for your skill level and accomplishments.
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Get new skills while everyone else is thinking about the holiday party
During the end of the year when business is typically slower, look for new avenues to add to your portfolio of skills. Attend evening workshops, monitor online seminars or find a few business books on a topic of interest.
