The Best Career Goals for Each Month This Year - The Muse

The Best Career Goals for Each Month This Year - The MuseThe Best Career Goals for Each Month This Year Its great to set goals for the year, but most of us forget to factor in the time period during which were making them. When you consider what season it is or what the weather is like, your ambitions suddenly require more (or sometimes less) effort.Thats why were going to help make your career goals for you this year- because we want you to succeed, and because we know the best times of year to focus on certain activities. (Read No one likes to job search in the summer.) So each month, were going to ask you to focus on one aspect of your career- thats it And, as a bonus, were providing resources to help you along the way. Starting with January, well tell you when to update your resume, increase your productivity, and focus on finding a better work-life balance- and by December, checking accomplishments off your list will feel like second nature.Lets get started taking on this yearJa nuary Update Your ResumeChances are, enough has happened this past year that you can add and remove things (maybe even whole jobs) from your resume. While you definitely have to tailor it for individual positions, there likely are updates you can make to your master version. In addition to updating your positions and accomplishments, focus on these three tasks this month1. Use Better VerbsStrong action verbs are your new best friends when it comes to crafting a powerful resume.185 Powerful Verbs That Will Make Your Resume Awesome2. Quantify Your Bullet PointsNumbers and stats can transform good bullet points into great ones, so get specific with important details.How to Quantify Your Resume Bullets (When You Dont Work With Numbers)3. Re-design ItMaybe the new year means its time for a new resume layout. Spruce yours up with any of these free templates (or hire a pro to do it for you).275 Free Resume Templates You Can Use Right NowFebruary Improve Your LinkedIn ProfileWhether youre s earching for a new job, thinking about switching careers, or just wanting to give your LinkedIn profile a bit of love, February is the time to do it. With hiring season at its peak around this time, youll want to make sure your online presence is ready for whomevers looking at it.1. Decorate ItAdd a bit of flair to your LinkedIn with a free background design thatll make you stand out.23 Free LinkedIn Backgrounds That Will Make Recruiters Love Your Profile2. Highlight ItImprove your headline for maximum viewership by being specific, highlighting your current position, and showing off your accolades.How to Make Your LinkedIn Headline Way mora Effective in Under 5 Minutes3. Participate on ItThe quickest way to get your name out there? Join in on a discussion groupHow I Got 425% More Page Views on LinkedIn- and You Can, TooMarch Do a Little NetworkingThe word everyone hates Networking. But theres no time like now to start reaching out. Even thought its still chilly out (OK, possibly fre ezing), people are beginning to go stir-crazy and are more willing to meet for coffee or a drink. So yes, we know this isnt your favorite, but were here to tell you that its easier than you think1. Network Where You WorkYes, thats right, you can network in your own geschftszimmer- and itll even make you a more recognized employee.The Super Obvious Networking Opportunity You May Be Overlooking2. Ask a Stranger for HelpAsking a stranger for help may seem awkward, but its not when you personalize it. Hint Kindness goes a long way and is more likely to render a response.The Simple Change Thatll Make Asking a Stranger for Help Much More Successful3. Write Great Subject LinesYoud be surprised how three or four words can make all the difference as to whether or not people open your emails. Here are some templates to get you started on crafting the perfect one, so you can get even more networking meetings.Here Are the Subject Lines Thatll Get Your Networking Emails Opened- Every TimeApril B ecome a Better Co-workerAs the snow and ice melts, theres no better time to thaw your co-worker relationships, improve your sociability, and ultimately impress your boss. Your office interactions, whether in a new or old job, can make all the difference in how you feel coming into work every day. 1. plattl Up Key SkillsHere are six things you should start working on today to be more successful working with others- and yourself on bad days.6 Life Skills You Better Pick Up if You Want to Succeed at Work2. Ask QuestionsYoure no mind reader, so dont be afraid to ask your colleagues questions You may make someones day (and save yourself a lot less work).4 Basic Questions Likable People Always Ask at Work3. Be Aware of How You Phrase ThingsCatching yourself when you might be coming across as judge-y, passive-aggressive, or rude is the first step to becoming a more pleasant person to work with. 3 Times You Think Youre Being Nice- But You Actually Just Sound Passive-AggressiveMay Increase Y our ProductivityNow that you can roll up your sleeves without shivering, its time to buckle down. Summers approaching, and you want to revamp your routine for a productive next couple of months- especially when all you really want to do is lay outside in the sun.1. Learn How to Use Your Time WiselySlow days at work arent for surfing the internet or playing paper basketball with your co-workers. Make every minute count- you may even get ahead so you can enjoy your weekends laterThis Is How You Take Advantage of a Slow Day at Work2. Change Up Your Routine to Find the Most Productive One PossibleTurns out that your regular schedule and habits might actually be slowing you down. 5 Boss-Approved Changes to Make to Your Work Routine Thatll Boost Your Productivity3. Download a New Productivity AppWho says you cant have some help from technology? A new app can help you live productively, from eating healthier to being more punctual.26 Apps Designed to Make Your Life Easier (You Can Thank Us Later)June Focus on Work-Life BalanceYou worked hard last month, so June is your time to relax and focus on healthy living and learning. Just because you have to work in the summer doesnt mean it has to be all that bad- or that you cant give yourself some me time.1. Stop Working So HardFirst, recognize when youre working too hard and need to stop. Its possible to thrive at work without staying in the office until 8 PM every night.3 Reasons You Work Too Much- and How to Overcome Each One2. Take Time Off to Relax and RegroupIt is in fact possible to take time off without taking time off. And your boss will love these alternatives3 Boss-Approved Trips Thatll Help You Break Out of Your Work Rut (and Dont Involve Taking Vacation Days)3. Make Sure You Leave Work at WorkDont give away your weekends- you deserve them. Plan ahead, take breaks, and be willing to unplug at times.3 Ways to Ensure Youll Always Have the Weekend OffJuly Boost Your ConfidenceJulys a delightful time of year for mos t people, so take advantage of the positive energy by working on yourself.1. Read, Read, ReadOne way to learn how to be more confident? Read leadership books from people who know what theyre talking about.The 10 Books Thatll Bring Out the Leader in Everyone Who Reads Them2. Stop Seeking Outside ApprovalStop letting others get to you. Its your life and your job, and no one knows it better than you do.5 Reasons You Should Stop Seeking Other Peoples Approval for Your Career Choices3. Practice Positive Self-EncouragementMost importantly, be nicer to yourself Speak up, take on challenges, and have confidence in your own ideas.4 Ways Youre Being Way Too Hard on Yourself (and How to Stop)August Get Prepared to End the Year on a High NoteAs fall approaches, its time to set goals for the rest of the year. What havent you accomplished yet? What are you still struggling to work on? The leaves havent even started to change color yet, so nows your chance to tackle those things that are still pes tering you.1. Find an Approach to Accomplishing Things Thatll WorkRather than push yourself to do something huge, challenge yourself to knock a few smaller items off your list.The Easiest Way to Achieve Your Daily Goals2. Add Emotion to Your To-DosThe best kept secret about to-do lists? Make them emotional. No really, I swear by it. A Mind-Blowing New Way to Think About Your To-Do List3. Get OrganizedOnce you get the list-making down, try organizing your to-dos by category (and by importance)- this way, youll get things done faster and more efficiently.3 Better Ways to Organize Your To-Do ListSeptember Break Bad HabitsIts never too late to break those bad habits, and when better to do it than September? The weathers cooling down, and work is starting to re-energize, so nows the time to develop new routines thatll make you that much more productive when the holidays roll around.1. Recognize Your Less-Than-Ideal Office BehaviorIf youre not sure what your bad habits are, try checking t hese five off your list saying sorry when youre not, hogging the conversation, setting up unnecessary meetings, acting like a work robot, or venting unproductively.5 Bad Habits That Are holding-gesellschaft You Back in the Office- and How to Put an End to Them2. Drop the Negative LanguageLearn how to talk with confidence- youd be surprised how much more respect you get from your co-workers.Drop These 5 Words if You Want to Be Taken More Seriously at Work3. Replace the Bad With the GoodAnd finally, replace those bad habits you dropped with some new ones thatll make you an even better professional.4 Habits You Should Pick Up if You Want to Be Well-Liked at WorkOctober Learn Something NewBored at work? Feeling a bit stuck? Try taking up a new skill or project thatll boost your current career or even qualify you for another path in the future.1. Take an Online CourseYou dont need to go back to school to learn something new- its all in the palm of your pranke (or on your laptop).45 Free Online Classes You Can Take (and Finish) by the End of This Year2. Learn the Latest TechYou dont have to learn every new tech skill that comes into existence, but you should keep yours up-to-date. So why not pick up a new one (or two) this month?7 Tech Tools You Can Definitely Teach Yourself to Use Before the End of the Year3. Watch TED TalksListening to TED talks is one of the best ways to learn something new and valuable without wasting too much time, and thanks to the internet, there are more than you can possibly imagine.5 TED Talks Thatll Inspire You to Innovate Like Never BeforeNovember Update Your Social MediaEverythings starting to come together, and now were going to focus on an important part of your personal brand your online presence. Here are some tips for how to keep your social media sharp in November (and hopefully for months after this one).1. Write a Better LinkedIn SummaryYour profiles the first stop for people who dont know you. So why not make it clear exactly w ho you are? 5 Templates Thatll Make Writing the Perfect LinkedIn Summary a Breeze2. Network on TwitterNext is Twitter- did you ever think about networking there? Well, turns out, its actually a lot easier than it looks.3 Easy Ways to Up Your Twitter Networking Game and Start Racking Up the Connections3. Consider Making a Personal WebsiteOne of the best things you can do for your online presence is to create your own site a hub for all of your work and social profiles. And before you panic, weve got a game plan that will help you get a single-page site up in an hour. The Fun, One-Hour Activity That Will Help You Land Your Dream JobDecember Get the Most Out of the HolidaysYouve worked hard, and the years almost over, so congrats December is your time to relax and enjoy the holidays. But while youre at it, here are three ways to get the most out of this month (that have nothing to do with buying presents or eating a lot of home-cooked food).1. Take Baby Steps Toward a Better CareerThes e career-boosting ideas are easy-peasy, and we promise they wont take away from the holiday fun.20 Career-Boosting Steps You Can Take Before New Years Eve2. Write Thank-You Notes to Your ColleaguesThe holidays are all about giving, so try giving thanks to all the people who have made your year great, whether its your boss, your co-workers, or an old connection.The 9 Holiday Cards You Need to Send to Your Network- and What to Write in Each One3. Download More Awesome Productivity AppsAnd when work is bumming your holiday spirit, here are nine apps thatll keep you productive, yet sane.9 Apps Thatll Make Working During the Holidays as Pain-Free as PossibleThink you can handle it? Tweet me your best month