CAREER PLANNING FOR 2012

As we approach the end of 2011 its time to reflect on the year that’s ending and plan for the upcoming year. So here are some tips on how to make 2012 a better year.

1: This is the time of year that everyone – whether you are happily employed, looking for a new job, unemployed or even if you recently began a new job – should update your resume. 

You should review 2011 month by month to see what you have accomplished over the past year, what new skills you have developed, what new technologies you have learned or become more proficient at and, most important you should qualify and quantify your accomplishments and achievements in 2011. Then determine if you need to add this information to your existing resume, or more likely use it to create a new, more dynamic resume for 2012.

2: Check to see whether you are likely to reach the point of diminishing returns in your career in the coming year if you maintain the status quo, or if you’ll remain safe for one more year. You will need to determine by yourself or with some personal or professional help if you will still be viable to move ahead internally or outside your company a year from now if nothing changes. Look at your current value to your company, the people ahead of you and at your level who want to move up to determine if you can remain static for another year and maintain career security.

3: Set a goal for where you see yourself at this time in 2012 and identify the additions you will need to reach this goal. If you are not sure, look at some job posting for this position and use my coding system.

Additions may include new formal education or certifications, technology or business skills, hands-on experience or a stronger level of expertise in a specific area, and additional contacts and advocates to help move your career in the right direction.

Education can be obtained by making a financial investment and contacts can be made through networking and relationship management. Experience on the other hand is something that you either need to work on internally or by finding a new job.

4: Update your social media profile and set a goal to become more social media savvy in 2012.

5: Look at the Linked-In groups you are a member of and leave the ones that you find worthless and join new ones that may be more valuable in terms of content, contacts, and brand recognition.

6: Increase your brand exposure. Set a goal to start or contribute to at least 3 Linked-In discussions a week and comment on each discussion more than once.

7: Increase your network, Set a goal to add at least 3 new contacts a week to your Linked-In or personal network and set a goal of attending 1 or more networking type events every month. This is good advice for each of you whether you are employed and looking for a new job.

8: Get recommended. Set a goal to add a minimum of 2 recommendations every month to your Linked-In page.

Author

Perry Newman, CPC/CSMS is a nationally recognized resume writer, career transition coach, certified social media strategist, as well as a AIPC certified recruiter and former executive search firm owner known for his ability to get results. You can view his sample resumes and client endorsements at http://www.perrynewman.com/, and request a free resume critique by emailing your resume with contact information to perry@perrynewman.com.