Job Spectrum

The approach of a New Year is always accompanied by an uncanny urge to improve one’s life and add something new to it. Hence, it is only human tendency to get inspired and draft elaborate New Year resolutions.  However, in most cases, the diary pages with the resolutions fade out and the memories fizzle off by the second week of the New Year. This occurs mostly because individuals sometimes set higher, unachievable goals that do not fit in-tune with their career and lifestyle. Here are some top career resolutions for 2011 which are not only achievable but will also help individuals advance in their career. 

Fortifying the Resume

A new year can be a great start for some individuals to fortify their resumes with new certifications, degrees or courses that are related to their job or area of expertise. This not only increases the individual’s knowledge base but also helps them to be up-to-date with the current scenarios and technologies in ever-changing industries and environments. Also, upgrading this information of certain certifications or courses one undertakes on social networks like blogs or LinkedIn can actually help individuals create ‘social authority’ wherein people will look up to them for help or advice, increasing their importance and appeal.

Enhancing Soft Skills and Adding Competencies

Soft skills such as body language, business etiquettes, etc are very essential. Sometimes with time, one’s soft skills tend to get sluggish and counteract one’s progress. The first impression one makes during business meets, networking workshops and most importantly during interviews can go a long way in helping the individual’s career and establishing a professional presence. Studies have shown that 55% of first impressions are based on appearance and body language and that it can take as many as 21 interactions to clear the effects of a bad impression.

Competencies are the in-thing with human resources these days. Having and subsequently adding competencies like interpersonal skills, flexibility, customer services, adaptability, excellent problem solving skills, etc can help an individual to further enhance their resume.

Expanding Networks and People Connections

Another very achievable goal can be of expanding one’s network. When it comes to excelling in one’s career, networking is one of the most important factors. One should continuously work towards expanding their present networks or at least maintaining existing ones in good health, especially those that can act as references in case of a job switch. A simple ‘Happy New Year’ can be a start.

Also, simple tasks like having lunch with different colleagues or contacts everyday can enhance one’s network. One can alternate lunches with internal colleagues one week and external contacts the next. This will not only help in seamless connectivity, but also convey a message that ‘you care’. One can also consistently share credit for a job well done with their team (whenever applicable) as well as appreciate others’ great work as it will portray the person as a team player. Adopting such methods will enable the individual to be perceived as a people centric person and a leader and help in case of promotions or new jobs.

Keeping the Workplace Clean

A cluttered workplace sends off a message that the individual is ‘disorganized’ rather than portraying that the person is important. So, cleaning up one’s workplace should be among the top of the list of one’s goals. An organized workplace not only makes for a good visual experience but it also lifts up the individual’s working mood. Plus, it is easier to find things in an organized workplace contrary to going through heaps of clutter to find as simple thing as a stapler.

Keeping the Boss Happy

Last but the most important would be to keep the boss happy. However, it is not the same as ‘the boss is always right’. One may schedule a meeting with their immediate boss in the beginning of the year to explain what goals one sets for themselves or for their team. Such meetings can also help the individual get an insight as to what their boss has in store for them or what their boss expects from them. Working on those things and achieving them will then help the individual in keeping the boss happy and hence excelling in the career.
The key to setting resolutions and reaching them is to keep them achievable. Else they will be quickly lost as the days of the year. It should be noted that it’s not necessary to have many resolutions; having one and achieving it can be an accomplishment in itself. Also one should not be let down by failures but should consider them as opportunities to learn and plan for the future.