4 Secrets to Keeping Your Career Resolutions in 2015

Ngoc Huynh

Be proactive. Jack Hill, director of talent acquisition solutions at human capital management software company PeopleFluent noted, the key to career progress is taking control of it yourself. If your boss or human resources manager only discusses advancement opportunities at annual performance reviews, make a point to meet with him or her to talk through your potential career path. Hill said that HR should be able to provide information to potential and current employees about past career paths for others who have had the same or similar roles, and what that person must do to move up the ladder.

Gabriel Bristol,president and CEO of customer service solutions company Intelicare Direct, said it’s very important to be aware of what’s going on around you as well. Is there a job promotion you could apply for? Has your boss been dropping hints of expanding the team? Research the steps you should be taking to accomplish your career goals — you don’t want to miss an opportunity that’s right under your nose.

Start every day prepared and engaged. If you want to advance your career, you need to demonstrate that you’re truly engaged in your current position. It’s not enough to physically be there at your desk every day, Bristol said. Show up mentally prepared and ready to take action. Being active, tackling tasks and planning ahead are the characteristics you need to take the initiative in your career.

Use technology to help you. According to the PGi survey, workers believe their career resolutions will be driven by better business technologies. Topping employees’ tech wish lists for the new year are tablets for work (23.7 percent), project management tools (15.1 percent) and productivity apps (14.5 percent).

“Employees want technologies to help them be more efficient and productive,” O’Brien said. “[They want] to do more with less and work smarter, not harder.”

While your employer may be responsible for some of the bigger IT demands like collaboration software, you can do your own research into tools that will help you get your job done better. For instance, you can download productivity and inbox management apps to your mobile devices to keep you organized and ready to tackle your biggest work challenges.

Be confident and commit to your goals. A lack of confidence is one of the biggest obstacles to achieving both personal and professional goals. Bristol noted that workers need to believe in their own abilities, effectively capitalize on their strengths and address their weaknesses when planning their path to success. Then, when you know what you want out of your career, commit to doing whatever it takes to get there, even if it involves some risk.

“Most of us are afraid to take a risk because we might fail, but if we never take that leap to capture the career of our dreams, we won’t ever get there,” Bristol said. “Know what you want, and don’t worry about failing. If failure is in your head, you won’t be fully committed to chasing your dreams.”

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Source : http://www.businessnewsdaily.com/