(January 2, 2008) We are not real big believers in New Year's Resolutions. The motto here has always been that "if it's important - do it everyday. If it's not important, don't do it." (Some of us have always wished that was as easy to do as it seemingly aught to be.)
Then we came across a list of New Year's Career Resolutions and had to at least give them a look. WallStJobs.com founder, Robert Graber, suggestions are business basics and should be considered for part of your routine if they are not already.
WallStJobs.com founder, Robert Graber New Year's Resolution "to-do" list for 2008:
- Network More
Make at least one new business acquaintance per month and cultivate that relationship throughout the year. Don't let 'old acquaintances' be forgotten either, as they are the most likely to have a good sense of your professional growth to date. Pay attention to all contacts with periodic calls, e-mails and appropriate notes.
- Take Responsibility for Your Own Career
Don't rely on anyone but yourself to map your success path. Choose near term (6months-1 year) career goals (a promotion, a raise, etc.) and focus on achieving them. Keep abreast of trends in your industry and read the "people on the move" column to see where hiring/promotions are happening in case you want, or need, to make a change.
- Get Out There
Give a speech. Write an article. Host an event. Get your name noticed in your field at least once in 2008. Visibility puts you 'on the radar' for potential new opportunities as well as creating 'career currency' at your present employer when it is time for reviews.
- Learn a New Skill
Master new software. Pursue an advanced degree. Enroll in a certificate program that is appropriate for your industry. Any of these will make you more valuable to your firm and will provide you with a well deserved sense of achievement.
- Be Good To Yourself
Your mother was right, "If you have your health, you have everything." So make time for yourself in 2008. Join a gym. Take a family vacation. Turn off your iPhone or Blackberry for an hour every day. Put things in perspective and you may find that everything falls into place.
"The job market may be in for a roller-coaster ride in the New Year," says Graber, "so make some career oriented resolutions just in case."
About the company: WallStJobs.com, the premier recruiting source exclusively for financial service professionals, is a member of the Jobosaurus family of uniquely specialized recruiting sites.
Of all of these, - Network More was a relief because it refers to old fashioned networking. It did not say to join several online networks, communities, blogs, quilting bees or bookclubs.
It seems that online social/business networking in 2007 was the Craigslist of 2000. Every time you turned around someone was saying "Have you checked on craigslist?" We were thrilled having watched Craig Newmark launch his baby in 1995 and carefully develop it.
In the case of craigslist, it is very practical, usable, useful and time efficient.
We will be taking a look at online networking to see if it has similar qualities.
In the meantime, email your vCard (originated around 1995) and we'll get this network thing going.
Colleen Gildea
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