Now that the new year has begun and the old has passed, you may have had a period of reflection and planning. “How did 2018 go? Have I achieved everything I wanted? How can I make 2019 my best year yet?” This thinking inevitably leads to the development of new resolutions. Often a new job is also on the list of these resolutions. Here are a few tips to make 2019 the most successful year yet for your career.
1. Improve your way of thinking
If you want to not only find a new job but also attract a better job with a higher salary in 2019, a higher level of your mindset is required. First, you must start by believing that you are worthy of a higher paying job that you enjoy. You do this by taking stock of where you've been and what you've done. Set aside some time in your calendar and do a “Year Review” by looking at projects you've worked on and people you've worked with. Use the STAR method; Situation, task, action and result. Document these activities and events so that you realize (and remember!) everything you have accomplished in a year! This exercise will also help you prepare for the inevitable interview questions about behavior. “Tell me about a time you had to…”
Once you've taken an inventory and are confident in what you have to offer, it's time to assess why you and your unique skills/experience are valuable to your prospective employer. Any increase in responsibilities and compensation requires you to consider the company and how your position will impact. Researching the company online and across your network will give you more confidence in a conversation so you can ask contextual questions about the organization — and how your role fits into their short- and long-term success. Knowing things about the company and what their biggest challenges and opportunities are will position you as a high value and will set you apart from other candidates competing for the same role.
2. Form a network
Many people find their next job through their networks. The new year is the perfect time to reach out to your network and reconnect with people. It is an opportunity for you to share with them what you do and what your plans and ambitions are for the new year. This can be as simple as calling someone who helped you say thank you or making time for a cup of coffee. Now is a good time to start or continue those conversations that can open up new opportunities.
3. Negotiate a job offer
Vacancy negotiations are rarely easy. But the complexity of the labor market creates opportunities for people who can negotiate working conditions professionally. Every situation is unique, but some strategies, tactics, and principles can help you address many of the problems people face when negotiating with employers. Before you even start salary negotiations with a prospective employer, find out how much the job is worth – take the time to research salaries before you start discussing pay.
Being informed about the competitive job market will help you help to prepare the conversation.
Don't underestimate the importance of likability; this sounds simple, but it is crucial. This is about more than being polite; it's about managing some unavoidable tensions in negotiation, like asking for what you earn without appearing eager. In addition to stating your desire for a higher salary, explain exactly why it is justified, based on the value you can bring to the company. It helps to consider the whole deal; for many people, "negotiating a job" and "negotiating a salary" are synonymous. But much of your job satisfaction will come from other factors that you can negotiate. Focus on the value of the whole deal; job responsibilities, location, flexibility in working hours, and so on. Finally, understand the limitations the employer may have and try to determine where they can have flexibility, be it salary, benefits, time off or flexible work scheduling. And remember, once you get the job, you don't have to accept (or reject) it right away. A simple “I need to think about it” gives you time to fully assess the offer and determine if more negotiation might be warranted.
4. Put on your strategic thinking Strategic thinking is often at the top of the list because companies need strategists to connect long-term thinking to achieving the organization's strategy. More importantly, strategists create a roadmap to achieve a goal and create a concrete plan that can be successfully implemented. This shows the value of their strategic ideas and sound judgment. The best, most strategic leaders bring others with them, giving them a clear picture of why the strategy makes sense and how others can participate and contribute to get the job done. One of the ways to make yourself more visible and adaptable in the company right now is by constantly finding ways to connect the work you do every day with the overall strategy of the organization.
You make yourself more valuable to your employer when you have a clear picture of where the company is developing and how you can best contribute with your skills to make that happen. Learn, understand and anticipate what the future may hold for the company and find out with additional knowledge so you can deliver those insights to your leadership team.
5. Internal promotion
Do visions of a better job and a higher salary in 2019 automatically translate into looking for a position outside your current company? Maybe not. Are there any internal coaching programs you could explore to broaden your horizons and contribution to the company? With such a focus on talent development, companies are getting more and more creative to retain their best talent. Have you already completed your Annual Review, showing your achievements for 2018 and goals for 2019? What action plans can you and your manager put in place (additional training, cross-task responsibilities, a mentor, professional certification, etc.) to ensure an increased level of accountability and subsequent compensation?
Ask yourself, “What would have to change for this to be my perfect job?” And then see what can actually be negotiable with your current employer. Maybe you work from home 1 or 2 days a week to ease a time-consuming commute? Have an ongoing, open dialogue with your manager and check your company intranet for training opportunities and internal vacancies. Before you succumb to “the grass is always greener on the other side”, look inside your current organization. The odds may surprise you.
6. Evaluate your priorities
Very few of us are truly self-conscious. We are shaped by many things – our experience, our views, our fears – and it is difficult to see yourself the way others see you. From a career perspective, being self-aware means understanding your real (not your own perceived) strengths and what you have to offer in the workplace. It also means being honest with yourself about what really makes you happy at work. For example, if you push yourself to fill a higher-level role, if you know that many of the duties and responsibilities of that job are of little interest to you, you will only become unhappy and stressed. Likewise, taking on a level of financial responsibility that requires you to do a job you hate just to earn the money you need puts you on a path of misery for much of your life.
Also consider that if you are a free spirit, the benefits and opportunities of working within a large corporate organization may well be offset by how limited you will feel when your life at work means following a rigid set of rules and processes. Sure, it can be hard to be honest with ourselves, but in the context of career planning, it can be life-changing. Really knowing yourself and what makes you happy is the foundation for creating a great career plan and balancing your life and work.
