Dubin & Lee Blog

2012’s Best Career New Year Resolution

Are you happy with the direction in which your career is headed?
What are your career goals for 2012?
Could your career path use some new direction?

These are the types of questions that we ask ourselves this time of year.  I took a look at the Best New Year Career Resolutions for 2011, and they are all very appropriate for 2012 with one big, new emphasis.

For 2012, most of what you are hoping to accomplish will have very distinct and detailed plans of attack, but the first step is usually the same for most objectives…

Reach out to my network!

Why?

• Hiring companies search their network first, so you should too!  Over the last 3 years, I have observed that close to 70% of active job seekers who accepted a new job which paid over 130k found the job through a contact.  Most of the time, a company will reach out to whom they know before they post the job or put the job out to a staffing agency.
• The process takes time.  Refreshing an old relationship or developing a new one is a delicate and time intensive process. If you make the process all about your agenda and your immediate need, you will not see much benefit and you will not have much of a relationship.  Nurturing a relationship built on trust and truly mutual benefit takes time; so that is why you need to get started now…before you are in dire need.

How?

• Reach out just to reach out. This is especially rewarding with old relationships or people you were close to at one time, but have lost touch with just due to getting caught up in your day to day lives.  When you reconnect and have a good conversation, you will be very happy you did and so will your long lost friend.  You might even hang up the phone or leave the coffee shop and kick yourself for letting so much time go by. Now, don’t let it happen again!
• Be open.  Be real and don’t try too hard to manage the impression.  Just be you.  Don’t be a negative whiner but openly talk about what type of things you are keeping your eyes peeled for as well as your goals. Do not be timid about asking your contact about what he or she would find beneficial.
• Help!  Walk away from each meeting with at least one action item in mind to help the other person with his or her needs or desires.  This works best if you don’t even mention it but just do it.  I find these tasks renew my energy and enthusiasm. It is amazing how good it feels to get out of our own head for a while and do something strictly for someone else.  This will naturally lead into follow up and staying in touch.

For the first time in 3 years, I took some time off in December to see family and friends that I have not been able to spend time with as my head has been buried in my business. Yes, I am kicking myself and my New Year’s Resolution is to keep these relationships alive as I am truly blessed to have so many wonderful people in my life.

I’m sure you are too!  Call them now!!!!

Help yourself and an Accounting /Finance professional and reach out all at the same time by making a referral with our “iPad for a Referral” promotion that has just been extended through January.

 

Posted by:

Saundra Lee

President

Dubin & Lee