Be resolute about career resolutions
New Year’s is the perfect time to take stock.
Johnny C. Taylor Jr., a human-resources expert, is tackling your questions as part of a series for USA TODAY. Taylor is the president and CEO of the Society for Human Resource Management, the world’s largest HR professional society.
The questions are submitted by readers, and Taylor’s answers below have been edited for length and clarity.
The promise of a new year has many employees taking stock of their accomplishments and careers.
For many, this will include setting goals – land a new job, move to a new city or take on new responsibilities in a current role.
This time of reflection is particularly important for younger professionals, who may be wondering, “What’s next for me? How can I move ahead? How can I design a career?”
As 2019 dawns, I’d like to offer a few resolutions for younger workers who are considering the question, “What will set me up for success at work in 2019 and beyond?”
Put yourself out there
Consider joining a young professionals group or meeting up with like-minded peers. By connecting with others, you can exchange ideas and learn about opportunities for career growth in your community.
Learn something new
Take the opportunity to pick up new skills. There are plenty of seminars, continuing-education classes and lectures offered online and in your community to fill gaps in your knowledge.
Reach out to your alumni network to see if your alma mater or local university offers classes you can audit for a fee, or take advantage of your employer’s tuition-assistance program and take classes toward an advanced degree.
Be an expert on your employer
Familiarize yourself with your organization’s mission, vision and goals, and you will become a stronger employee. Challenge yourself to learn more about your company by exploring a new product or service it offers. Meet colleagues from other departments, read the annual report, attend an annual meeting and follow news coverage of your company.
Don’t be afraid to fail
You’ve heard the saying “No pain, no gain.” Be willing to take some risks in your career. Without stretching yourself, you will never fully succeed.
Be patient
Having aspirations is important. But keep in mind that success doesn’t happen overnight. You will need to work at it. Expose yourself to new people, places and things to find it.
Become financially savvy
Connect with your human resources department to learn more about how you can take advantage of the benefits offered by your company.
You can save money and prepare for retirement (it’s never too early to start saving) by taking advantage of benefits such as commuter assistance, 401(k) company match and health/wellness rewards.
Your HR department can also show you how to contribute to your savings each pay period. Direct deposit makes it easy to designate set amounts of your paycheck to different accounts, including savings, so you can easily set it, forget it and watch your savings grow.
Refresh your online presence
It’s time to look over your online profiles to ensure they align with your professional aspirations. Review them with a critical eye and remove anything that you wouldn’t want your current or future employers to see.
Consider buying a personal domain and creating a professional portfolio to document your important experiences and successes.
Give yourself a break
Taking time now to schedule a vacation for later in the year gives you something to look forward to. Taking time off is important because it helps avoid burnout. Healthy employees use their in-office time more effectively and are more productive.
Resolve to commit to your goal
Whether your goal for 2019 involves learning something new, taking on a new project or asking for a promotion, do the work required to make it happen. Ninety-two percent of people fail to keep their New Year’s resolutions. Don’t be one of them.
And if you’re a young HR professional, you are likely so busy doling out career advice for others that you forget how important it is for you to tend to your own professional advancement and development.
From listening to the latest podcast about managing a multi-generational workforce to updating your HR knowledge by enrolling in a class on HR tech, you should consider joining the Society for Human Resource Management to tap into resources specially designed by your professional society to help you achieve your 2019 career resolutions.