Top New Year's Career Resolutions

If your main New Year’s Resolution is to find a new job, you need to develop a strategic plan to achieve career success in 2009. The challenging economy has caused many of us to change our focus from advancing in our careers to settling for jobs that aren’t a match for us. While this may be a necessary short term solution due to the need for income and benefits, we need to keep our sights on striving for career opportunities that support our plan for continued career success.

Here are 6 Steps to Career Success in 2009:

1.) Develop and Implement a Strategic Career Plan

The need to plan an effective job search campaign is always important, and in difficult economic times it is vital to develop a strategy for finding the job that's right for you. Here are the steps of a Strategic Career Plan:
• Assess your skills, knowledge and experience and prioritize them in terms of what are most favorable to you in terms of what talents you want to use going forward
• Research the job marketplace and identify opportunities that are a fit for you
• Develop a marketing campaign, including written communications (resume, cover letter, biography) and verbal communications (interviewing and negotiating), that will allow you to effectively represent yourself to prospective employers
• Identify and utilize all the avenues available to identify job leads including job fairs, recruiters, referral sources and direct research and contact with companies
• Set realistic goals on a daily and weekly basis and follow-up on all leads

2.) Keep a Confident Attitude and Strive to Build and Maintain Momentum

By developing a plan and sticking to it, you are setting yourself apart from a lot of people who have lost confidence and are not maintaining a high level of job search activity. The result is less competition for you, so take positive advantage of this and increase your lead development.

3.) Explore New Career Options

Go in what many may see as a risky direction by exploring new career opportunities that interest you. Research new developments in various fields and attend events sponsored by an organization on the periphery of your current area of interest in order to expose yourself to new ideas. Gain introductions to people in those fields to get their insights as well as introductions to decision makers who could hire you. Take a chance at making a change to a career that allows you to follow your interests and your passion.

4.) Consider Temporary, Part-time and Project Opportunities

Even though companies may be looking to fill less full-time positions, they may increase their need for workers to fill temporary assignments, part-time positions and project-oriented roles. While these may not be the best match for your needs and interests, they can provide you with cash-flow while you continue to look for full-time opportunities. Also, these contingency positions can turn into full-time jobs down the road.

5.) Develop and Maintain a High Level of Learning

Now may be the time to start on a new career path by taking courses and seeking degrees and certifications in new fields. In addition to advancing your career, you must continue to develop the knowledge bases and skill sets that you need to accomplish objectives in all aspects of your life. Increased flexibility in both work schedules and educational programs support learning objectives. Keep up with the issues and trends that affect your career by being well-read and well-connected with your colleagues.

6.) Increase and Improve Your Professional Relationships

Along with a commitment to learning comes the opportunity to stay connected to your network of contacts by attending seminars, conferences and other events where like-minded individuals congregate. Take advantage of these opportunities to meet new people and share ideas of common interest. Stay in touch with those individuals who are supportive of you and bring something of value to each conversation.

Have a healthy and prosperous 2009, and make it the year of strong commitment to your career success!