New Year, New Job? 5 Steps To Take To Transform Your Career

If the trials and tribulations of 2023 have left you feeling in need of a change, and it’s mainly your job that’s bringing you down, 2024 could be the year you start something completely new, or take your career on a new path. The job market is teeming with vacancies, and January is a great time to take control of your career path and find the perfect place to start anew. 

Here, we give you some great steps you could take to start the new year with a more positive prognosis for your career.

Step 1 – Work out what you want

There’s really no reason to shoehorn yourself into a job that isn’t right for you. Spend some time working out what you really want out of your career. Questions to ask yourself when working out what you want include:

• Do I want to work remotely or in an office, or even hybrid?
• What do I want my employer to do for me?
• What career progression would be ideal for me?
• What are my non-negotiables when it comes to salary, working hours and the company I work for?
• What am I good at and what do I want to do more of?
• What do I want to do less of, or get training in?
• How far do I want to commute?

These should give you a master list to work from when looking for a job. The more effort you put into this stage, the more likely it is that you’ll find a role that will suit you. However, it is important to be realistic and manage your expectations. While you will be a valuable commodity to an employer, you should recognise that they will be working within certain constraints themselves. 

Step 2 – Do your research

Next, it is time to look into what jobs match your criteria and what companies are good to work for. Glassdoor.com is just one website that gives you an idea of what it’s really like to work for certain employers. You could also check out salary expectations of your chosen career to see how they match up, pay-wise. 

Step 3 – Update your skills

Now, carefully examine what skills your ideal employer is looking for. Now might be the time to update your hard and soft skills. There are plenty of free and government funded courses you could complete to show prospective new employers you’re on a quest for continuous improvement, and these could sit you above other candidates applying for the same roles. 

Step 4 – Update your CV

If you already have a CV, then it may be worth revisiting it to create something that fits best for the roles you’re applying for. If possible, create a master CV, one that lists all your skills, competencies and achievements, and then pick the most relevant parts out when applying for each job. This will ensure that prospective employers can get a full view of how you match up to their hiring criteria.

Step 5 – Get expert help

Whether you’re looking for a complete career change, or want to elevate your career to the next level, getting professional help is crucial to getting in front of discerning employers that prefer their candidates to be pre-screened. 

Here at Attic Recruitment, we have experts on hand to help with this. Our staff work with both employee and employer in mind, seeking the best match for each role that needs to be filled. 

If you are looking to transform your working life this new year, why not get in touch. We would be happy to help you take the next steps in your career.