Coming soon: a new year. A fresh start. Motivation to change and improve our lives – and careers.
And, without a doubt, a new set of New Year resolutions for each of us.
Before you jump in and start making your list for 2012, I’d like to suggest a different approach: instead of a list of resolutions… first take the time to make a list of realizations – those foundational reality points that will help you plan for a successful new year:
- Good or bad… what is my current career reality?
- What has worked over the past year to improve my career? What has not worked?
- What have I learned from the process?
- What is within my sphere of influence – and what is out of my control?
This process is especially important for anyone anxious about their future who may just be hoping the economy gets better. Included are those out of work as we enter 2012, recent graduates who haven’t yet found their niche in the workplace and college students concerned about joining an unstable workforce.
As I’ve worked with those students, graduates and workforce veterans who (despite the challenges inherent in our current workforce reality) have succeeded over the past year, I’ve compiled a list of suggested realizations that may help others in 2012:
- It is past time to stop hoping the economy will get better – act and plan as if it will not
- In today’s online “everyone knows everyone” world, you are a brand – make it a good brand
- Developing an entrepreneurial (or intrapreneurial) spirit is critical to getting hired
- You must be networking through social media and face-to-face – or you’re falling behind your career competition
- Developing a mentor relationship with an influencer within your industry is crucial
- For college students: your degree alone is not going to get you a job; developing your career is going to be hard work – and you must start right now
- For recent graduates and workforce veterans out of work or underemployed more than six months: what you are doing now isn’t working… consider making a significant change to your approach
- Cleaning up your online presence has never been more important
- Those who come across as desperate, victims or who are not coach-able are rarely hired
- You do not need to be perfect – you just need to be better than your job seeking competition
These realizations, and those you add specific to your personal situation, will help you know where you stand now – and what needs to be done. From here… now you are ready to make your New Year’s resolutions. Be specific. Set quantifiable goals. Reset your mindset.
Then… enter 2012 with a firm sense of reality – and a clear mission of what you will accomplish to be far more competitive, employable and successful in the New Year.
About the Author: A passionate supporter of Gen Y talent, CEO and Founder of YouTern Mark Babbitt is a serial entrepreneur and mentor. Mark has been quoted in the Wall Street Journal, Mashable, Forbes and Under30CEO regarding internships, higher education’s role in preparing emerging talent for the workforce and career development. Recently, Mark was honored to be named to GenJuice’s list of “Top 100 Most Desirable Mentors”. You can contact Mark via email or on Twitter: @YouTernMark.
