Career-related New Year's resolutions are common. In a 2015 survey by Accountemps, 68% of professionals aimed to enhance their careers, such as finding a new job, asking for a raise, or developing crucial skills. Furthermore, a recent TopResume survey revealed that 65% of professionals consider getting a new job a top New Year's resolution. However, less than half have a clear plan for achieving this goal. As the year ends, try to look back before you look ahead. Did you set any career goals last year? If so, did you achieve them?
Here are some well-researched tips from Harvard Business School faculty to help you stick to your career resolutions this year:
Resolution #1: To Gain More Respect at the Office
Tip: Wear weird sneakers to work
Wearing unique and unconventional outfits at the office can make people see you as more confident and higher in status, according to research by Silvia Bellezza, Francesca Gino, and Anat Keinan. When someone deliberately chooses to stand out from the typical dress code, observers perceive them as having increased status and competence, and this person is often seen as independent and confident enough to create their own rules.
Resolution #2: Put In More Effort to Meet the Requirements of a Job Where You Haven't Been Performing Well
Tip: Reflect on whether the issue might be with the job itself rather than your capabilities
According to Robert Simons, a professor at Harvard Business School, jobs today require more from people, but the resources provided to do these jobs are not increasing. This lack of support is causing people to feel stressed and pressured as they try to manage various responsibilities independently. To help with this, Simons made a free online tool for job design optimization to see if your job balances responsibility and support well. If not, discuss with your supervisor to create a more balanced job. If that's not possible, consider looking for a new job.
Resolution #3: Score a Job Interview at Your Dream Company
Tip: Stop posting embarrassing photos online
Disappearing selfies may seem perfect for those who love social media but are also mindful that 93% of job recruiters check social channels before hiring. Some social media apps claim to erase your messages once they're read, but the issue persists, and the memory of your unrestrained behavior remains. Embarrassing selfies could still affect you if a potential employer ever saw them. According to Harvard Business School professor Leslie K. John, the impact of a temporarily shared selfie doesn't fade even after the photo disappears.
Resolution #4: Ace That Job Interview at Your Dream Company
Tip: Ask a lot of questions, especially follow-up questions
Understanding how to sustain a conversation can enhance your career and social life, as suggested by research from Alison Wood Brooks. While it's common for the interviewer to ask questions, as a candidate, asking more questions can demonstrate your potential contributions, showcase your active listening and emotional intelligence, and even make the manager like you more.
Resolution #5: Earn a Raise or Promotion
Tip: Outline your key contributions that led to the company's ROI
A Mercer survey shows that 88% of companies give raises based on merit, where high performers receive a salary increase over 1.5 times higher than their peers. If you've been considering asking for a raise or promotion, use the new year to elevate your career by listing the specific ways you've contributed to the organization and highlighting the measurable impact of each.
Making career resolutions is the beginning of your success journey in the new year. To achieve each goal, create a detailed plan with specific tasks to track and measure your progress in the months ahead.
