Career Gifts: 10 Ways to Give to Yourself

The end of the year is a great time to reflect on your strengths, key accomplishments, and even areas of improvement to help boost your career for 2016. Here are 10 valuable ways to jump-start your career for the coming year. Take time now, and you will be ahead for the coming year.

1. Update your resume – Even if you are not seeking new employment, add any promotions, awards, degrees, publications, speeches, and key accomplishments to your resume. Proofread it again to make sure it’s fresh.
2. Update your LinkedIn account – See #1.
3. Browse through TED Talks – Take time to review some of the 2,100-plus lectures on this powerful Internet platform; find some that inspire you.
4. Seek work/life balance – Develop a new hobby or activity for 2016, and make time for it in the coming year.
5. Nominate or refer a colleague ­– Use your power to influence someone else’s career and refer them to a recruiter or hiring manager.
6. Honor your references – Call and stay in touch with previous bosses, colleagues and staff. Meet them for lunch, use them wisely and never put them on your resume (only release as requested).
7. Participate in leadership- building workshops – Sign up for them locally or through CHIME, HIMSS, or other leading business associations.
8. Review your weaknesses and seek to change – Reflect on feedback from bosses and others who you trust to give you honest advice; work to improve those qualities in 2016.
9. Coach, mentor others – Use your expertise and knowledge to grow and develop staff; treat them as advisors; bring them to meetings; empower and give them a chance to shine.
10. Set career goals for the next year – Is it time for a change? Can you relocate? Can your current job be expanded? What other networking events should you attend? Remember, it is a Leap Year, so take the leap!

Wishing everyone a Happy Holiday season and continued good luck in your careers and life!