A fresh start to your career in 2011?

For many, New Year is a time for reflecting and thinking about improvements they would like to make in the coming year. New Year's Resolutions may mean more time for fitness, kicking a bad habit or maybe doing more good deeds.

Many people will resolve something that is work related. And in these testing economic times, thoughts about a change of career are increasingly commonplace.

If this applies to you, a good place to start may be with what you think is currently lacking.  If you are in work, you don't have to commit to changing jobs, just to researching and exploring your options. It may be one resolution you actually stick to.

Part of your exploration can be to assess your career goals. The following is an exercise that you can use to help you clarify what your career goals are and what it actually takes to meet them. Take a few moments to evaluate and assess where you are currently and where you want to be. Grab a pen and paper and let's get started:

*     Do you know exactly what you want to do, and are you doing it? If you know what you want to be doing (a good start - write it down!) but you are not there yet, list the reasons why you are not. For example, you can't afford to, you don't have the skills/experience. Try to list as much as possible. If you don't know where you want to be or what you want to do, then now is the time to help yourself with this question. Consider taking advice from a trusted friend or mentor, or maybe seeking guidance from a career advisor. Always be aware of your strengths, weaknesses and skills when planning for the future. Psychometric profiling can be useful in assessing your working strengths - we know a great little Bolton business that can do this for you too (hint: we're writing this article!) 

*     Review and evaluate. Look at what you want and why you don't have it, at what could be different and why you want it to be so. For example, you may not have to dread attending work or only 'living for the weekend'. Write down the reasons why you want the current situation to be different. Do you want to wake up excited about what the day holds and return home in a positive mood? The more you put into your answers, the more powerful and motivating the exercise is, to see on paper what your life could look like if only you were doing the things that made you happiest. 

*     Research, network and learn. Research careers of interest to you, visit job boards and think of creative ways you can meet them. Do you really need all the qualifications required - or are there other ways you can learn? Search Google for ways to overcome your self-limiting beliefs. Create Facebook or LinkedIn profiles and complete these to 100%. Seek out relevant career blogs and groups, join in and participate.

Networking can create opportunities you may have never thought existed. You may not be able to change jobs yet but this process takes you one big step closer.

In short, we can become what we want to be by consistently being what we want to become. Maybe we just need a little more focus. Maybe now is a great time to start. 

Make 2011 the year you jump start your working life.