How to achieve your professional resolutions

The new year is often considered the best time to make positive changes in our lives. It’s truly beneficial to stop and reflect on what we can improve—quitting smoking, taking public transit more often, learning a new language. Many make resolutions for their professional lives too, such as improving their job satisfaction or finding a position that’s better aligned with their goals.

Finding happiness at work
Job satisfaction is number one. While it’s normal to find some of your tasks less interesting than others, it’s an uphill battle if most of your work bores you. So ask yourself which aspects of your job are enjoyable and which ones weigh on you. If you can name a single thing that you still enjoy, there’s still hope! If not, maybe you just aren’t the right person for these tasks? Maybe it’s possible to split them up with other members of your team?

Your immediate superior is the best person to turn to in this situation. If you’re provided a work environment in which you can thrive professionally, everyone involved stands to benefit! Speak to your manager about your career goals and the other responsibilities you would like to take on.

Changing careers
If, in the end, you decide that a major change is knocking at the door, you might want to seek out a new job. To make sure this critical decision has a positive impact on your life, be sure to really think it through before you resign. Make a list weighing the pros and cons to draw a complete portrait of the advantages and disadvantages.

Visit the websites of potential employers to identify their values and to make sure they align with your own. Then, look into the types of jobs they’re hiring for. If necessary, contact their Human Resources Department or their hiring manager for more information. A thorough job search will lead you to a position that is more in line with your professional goals.

Regardless of your resolution (whether professional or personal), always give yourself enough time to think it over so that you avoid making a rash decision.

Good luck!

If you do decide to get back on the job market, consider taking a look at ia.ca/jobs. Who knows, maybe we have the position you’ve been waiting for!

Also, check out the articles on our Advice Zone career page, it’s chock-full of job tips and recommendations.