2019 is one of the best employment markets that we’ve seen in years, and it’s the best time to
sow the seeds of your future success. Here’s how you can get started.

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It’s that time of year again that we all think about our New Year’s resolutions—our successes as well as missed opportunities in 2018—and vow to do things better next year. How about making some meaningful, achievable resolutions with an impact that can last a lifetime? Taking time to take stock of your career and make clear, strategic decisions has that impact.

So, where do you start?

First of all, dust off your resume. Take a hard, honest look at it, refer to my earlier video blog on “resume don’ts,” and update it. Then, look objectively at your career accomplishments in recent years. Can you cite examples of quantifiable success and growth in your position? If so, add those successes to your resume.

If you don’t find those successes, consider whether you’ve stagnated professionally. This is the time to be really honest with yourself. If you haven’t made any noteworthy accomplishments in recent years, then something needs to be fixed—with you, your work environment, or both.

Depending on what you identify, make an action plan to ensure your career success in the coming year and beyond. Start with identifying the best roadmap for success within your own company. Be specific about this plan and set clear, achievable goals and timelines so you can monitor your progress.

Then, remain open to opportunities outside of your own company that could be a positive change in your career now that you have a clear idea of where you can or can’t go in your current job.

 

 

Put yourself in “listening” mode—take that recruiter call and even check “open to new opportunities” on your LinkedIn profile. Even if you are “happy,” there is no better time to listen to new opportunities then when you are doing well. That allows you to have choices, and there is power in choices.

Take time to consider your market and other companies or career paths of interest. Develop a strategy for exploring what’s out there and partner with a great recruiter that’s known to be an expert in your industry. I also recommend that you find a professional accountability partner—someone who you can bounce things off of and who can be objective and brutally honest with you.

Once you have identified, discussed, and agreed to your goals, write them down and promise yourself that by the end of 2019, you’ll have done what you need to do to achieve these goals. Have your accountability partner and other shareholders in your life hold you to those goals. 2018 has passed—it’s spent currency and hopefully you invested wisely, but regardless, you can’t change the past. 2019 is now! It’s one of the best employment markets that we’ve seen in years, and it’s the best time to sow the seeds of your future success. Set those professional goals and stick to them!

Rob Bowerman is President and Founder of The Bowerman Group- a leading executive search firm for luxury brands in the US and Canada. Rob is also President of The Pinnacle Society, the premier consortium of industry-leading recruiters in North America.