Setting Career Goals for the New Year
As the New Year approaches, it’s the perfect time to reflect on where you’ve been, where you are, and where you want to go in your career.
Whether you’re looking to climb the ladder, pivot into a new industry, or simply enhance your current role, setting clear and achievable career goals can pave the way for success in 2025.
Why the New Year is the perfect time to set career goals
January traditionally sees a surge in job postings as businesses reset budgets and implement new hiring plans for the year.
The mindset of January symbolising an opportunity for a fresh start or time for growth can also be a contributing factor, although many job seekers will wait until February or March following the festive season. This can create a good opportunity for those taking the chance to change careers in January.
Reflecting on your career
The transition period between Christmas and New Year can be a great opportunity to reflect on your current career, what you achieved and enjoyed in 2024, and how to prepare for 2025. Questions to ask yourself are:
Asking yourself questions about the progress of your career or job-search in 2024 can be a good place to start, here are some questions to get you started:
- What were your biggest achievements at work in 2024?
- What challenges did you face, and how did you overcome them?
- Are you satisfied with your role, growth opportunities, and work-life balance?
- Are there any gaps in your skill set that you’d like to work on?
- What are your long-term career goals?
Learning from both successes and setbacks is critical for career growth. Successes can highlight your strengths, allowing you to build on what you do well, and by analysing what went right or wrong, you can improve and avoid repeating mistakes.
Tips for job seekers entering 2025
- Update your CV, cover letters and professional networking platforms (i.e. LinkedIn) to highlight any key achievements and new skills learned in the last year. Even if you aren’t planning to change jobs or companies, it can be a good opportunity to evaluate your skills and experience.
- Get in touch with a local recruitment agency, like Wild Recruitment, to help with your job search. Agencies can offer personalised support and access to employers looking to hire in the new year, matching you to a suitable role that matches your career aspirations.
- If you recognise a skills gap, take the time to upskill through online courses, workshops or additional certifications relevant to where you want to progress to or the new career you want. Learn more about developing your soft skills in our blog ‘Are Transferable Skills Important in a Job Search’.
For example, if you’d like to gain a promotion in your current role, speak to your manager or HR team to discuss ways in which you can advance. - As always during a job-search, try to stay positive and adaptable. Job-seeking can be stressful at any time of the year, but winter can be a challenging time for many, with a significant drop in mood being common.
Stay focused and resilient to what you want to achieve and reach out to those around you for help and support. - Set SMART goals; a framework designed to help individuals and teams set clear objectives:
Specific - what is the goal you are trying to achieve? Try to clearly define the goal and be specific, for example, ‘secure a warehouse role in a local company’.
Measurable - how to track progress and success; for example, ‘apply to five jobs per week’.
Achievable - make sure to set realistic and attainable goals based on your skills, resources, and current circumstances.
Relevant - does the goal align with your broader objectives and values?
Time-bound - Set a clear deadline to create a sense of urgency and accountability. For example, ‘land a new job by March 2025’.
By using frameworks like SMART goals, recognising skills gaps and staying aware of trends in your chosen or aspiring industry, you can take advantage of the opportunities that 2025 holds. Additionally, with increased hiring activity in January, fewer job seekers actively pursuing opportunities, and a focus on skills in demand, now is the time to set yourself up for success.