The festive season is upon us, which means the new year isn’t far behind.
Amongst the excitement of Christmas, we begin to think about the year ahead and the changes we can make.
In the spirit of new beginnings, it’s not uncommon for professionals to start seeking new opportunities within their careers.
With the new year in sight, resolutions are made, and the market is filled with candidates searching for new roles.
The competition is fierce, but there are steps you can take to make yourself stand out from the crowd.
Starting your preparation in advance of the new year will significantly increase your chances of securing your dream role.
Looking back…
Reflect on your career throughout the year just gone
As the new year approaches, it’s common to think about taking the next steps in your career or changing your job role.
However, it’s important to look back on the year just gone and ask yourself the relevant questions:
- Am I on the right career path to suit me?
- What have I achieved within my career this year?
- What have my strengths been within my career this year?
- What have my weaknesses been within my career this year?
- Have I gained any new skills this year?
- Have I faced any challenges within my career this year?
Outlining the answers to these questions should assist you in defining your career goals for the upcoming year.
Answering these questions will also help you to identify the changes you need to make within your career in 2023.
Next steps
Be prepared
It’s no good searching the job market on January 1st when it’s already flooded with candidates.
It would be a good idea to start your job search a few weeks before. This will give you a good idea of the type of job you want to apply for.
This is a great time to use your previous experiences to outline the type of company you would like to work for.
Work culture is becoming increasingly important to both candidates and employers. It’s important to make sure your values align with the values of the company you are applying to.
When searching for a new job or career path, it’s important to consider:
- The type of company you want to work for
- The type of role you would like to be in
- What you are looking for in your next position
Having a clear understanding of these three areas will streamline your job search and ensure you are heading in the right direction.
Be open-minded
It’s important to adopt a positive attitude and keep an open mind in the search for your new career.
Keeping an open mind to what is out there will broaden your search and present you with more opportunities.
Flexibility in your attitude could allow you to consider new options that would’ve never crossed your mind otherwise.
This could result in finding exciting new career paths in organisations, roles, and locations you have never even considered.
Update your LinkedIn profile
LinkedIn is becoming increasingly popular for employers looking to hire.
Your LinkedIn profile acts as an online CV and a lot of employers will use this alongside the CV you have provided.
It’s important to keep your LinkedIn profile up-to-date and to sign up to relevant job feeds and groups.
Our blog on how to use LinkedIn effectively should help with this process.
Update your CV
You should review your CV at least every couple of months to see if there is anything you can add.
Every time you acquire a new skill or gain a new responsibility, you should document it within your CV.
Promotions and training courses are also important to update as they demonstrate personal progression within your career.
It’s always a good idea to keep up-to-date with your CV as you never know what opportunities are around the corner.
Here at Careersolve, we understand that searching for a new job or change in career can be daunting.
Whether you are not sure where to start, how to write a CV, which career path you want to go down, or if you want a completely new role, we can help!
It’s our goal to find you the right role to suit your career progression.
Follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter for further advice and support.
Alternatively, visit our website for more information!