It’s that time of the year again. Alongside the usual New Year’s resolutions – getting fit, giving up chocolate, being more organized – we’d like to add some suggestions that will help you get in the best possible shape for your next career move.
The key to a great New Year’s resolution is its achievability. If it’s too aspirational or too vague, it probably won’t happen. The best resolutions come with a plan, milestones, and a clear outcome.
With that in mind, here are some resolutions you can make, right now, to get career-ready for 2023.
Volunteer for a challenging project
Career leaps – and I mean real leaps rather than iterative steps – happen on the back of major achievements. While having a history of dependability and stolidity is admirable, it simply won’t be enough to inspire others to give you a chance at a senior role. Decision-makers look for candidates who can point to an outstanding achievement in their recent past.
Search for the perfect project to enhance your career in 2023. It needs to be challenging enough to impress others and take you out of your comfort zone, but not so difficult that you risk failure. Volunteer to lead a project, give it your entire attention, then leverage its success to land your dream role.
Choose a specialization
The rise of the project economy heralds a coming shift from role-based to skills-based hiring. Managers are increasingly being tasked with putting together high-performing teams made up of specialists across multiple disciplines. Make yourself a valuable asset in this new environment by choosing a specialization to pursue and aiming to become known as the go-to expert in that area. You may be surprised to discover that specializing tends to broaden rather than narrow candidates’ career opportunities.
Become a thought leader
Brands need content, and your personal brand is no exception. Challenge yourself in 2023 to become a thought leader. Get in touch with conference organizers to present at an upcoming event, write an article about a subject you’re passionate about, and get into the habit of sharing useful insights on social media. In no time at all, you’ll build up a library of content that will impress.
Sign up for networking events
Some people leap at the opportunity to network. For others, it’s a chore. But the reality is that around 80% of jobs are filled due to a network connection. Before your 2023 calendar begins to fill up, get in touch with professional networks in your area and sign up for a handful of events. And remember, networking isn’t just about collecting business cards. Make sure you follow up with any new connections and always look out for opportunities to help others in your network.
Optimize your LinkedIn
LinkedIn profiles are a bit like attics. Well-organized at first, they can become increasingly dusty and disorganized as time goes on. Take a long, careful look at your profile page from the perspective of a recruiter and make any necessary changes, including:
- An up-to-date and professional profile picture that is publicly visible
- A customized headline that includes your expertise
- At least 500 connections showing you’re open to networking with others
- An engaging story about yourself in your “About” section
- A way for others to easily get in touch
- Recommendations from others
- Up-to-date job history and skills sections
- Featured posts and a recent history of engaging with other users.
Reach out to a recruiter
This resolution is the easiest to achieve but is potentially the most impactful. Whether you are actively seeking employment or are simply open to new challenges, reach out to a specialist recruiter to get started down a path of career advancement in 2023.