After years of putting things off, make a New Year’s resolution to pursue your dreams. Instead of ... [+]
After years of putting things off, make a New Year’s resolution to pursue your dreams. Instead of censoring yourself, listen to the inner voice nagging you to do something special. Don’t lead a life of quiet desperation by working in a job or career you hate.
Delay current gratification and focus on the future. If you put in the time and energy now, your future self will thank you. Decide what you want to do and set a system of daily actions to achieve your long-term goals. Allocate time every day to make strides toward getting the job or promotion you want.
There will always be obstacles in your path. You will need to stay mentally, emotionally and spiritually strong. It will require you to be bold, brave and willing to overcome obstacles to succeed. Failure is part of the process. Don’t let it deter you from your objectives. The best and brightest have failed more times than they’ve succeeded.
The Harsh Reality That We Don’t Talk About
Barring a miracle, 2023 is going to start out being tough. Picking up from 2022, Americans will still be contending with record-high inflation and rising interest rates that make it harder to purchase a home or automobile. In a predicted recession or shrinking economy, layoffs and hiring freezes will continue.
No one will come to your rescue. Only a few people really care about your job and career. It’s up to you to make your own breaks.
When things get tough, the claws come out. Your boss will steal your ideas, if you let them. Not only will they take credit for your work, they’ll also allocate a sizable amount of the bonus pool to themselves.
Since the job market for white-collar professionals has weakened, the manager will assume that you’ll take the abuse and stick around, as you're too timid to seek new opportunities. The interview process will be an uphill battle.
Interviewing will be competitive, as companies aren’t hiring white-collar professionals like they did in 2021 when there was a war for talent. You will be subjected to ghosting, rejection and rude behavior, such as interviews being canceled at the last minute.
With all of the layoffs happening across nearly all sectors, it wouldn't be surprising if you get impacted. If you are of a certain age and earning a sizable compensation package, you’re at risk of being replaced by someone younger who will gladly accept less money than you are earning, especially if they are a remote worker in a lower-cost location.
Don’t Coast—Aggressively Pursue Your Goals
Understandably, you want to coast through the end of December and the first week or so of the new year. While that may be preferable and the easy path to take, you must be proactive and aggressive about your job and career. In a challenging environment, you can’t leave anything to chance.
Find headhunters that specialize in your space. Tap into our network for job leads. Find a mentor that can impart their knowledge and accumulated wisdom. A career coach and rèsumè writer can respectively help you with your interviewing skills, and punch up your rèsumè and LinkedIn profile.
Similar to a professional athlete, you need to do everything within your power to be at the top of your game. Reach out to target companies and ask about having an informational interview. If you lack a college degree or the credentials needed to pursue the type of job you want, there are plenty of relatively inexpensive online courses.
Research the companies you are interested in. Prepare and practice your elevator pitch. Role-play interview questions with a trusted friend. Ask for constructive feedback about your interviewing skills.
Since searching for a new job or climbing the corporate ladder is challenging, it's essential to take care of yourself physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. Avoid overindulging. Develop an exercise routine, even if it's just a brisk daily walk.
