Time to check in with your goals and aspirations by giving your career a spring clean!

As we head into March, spring is in the air; and just as we all feel the need to spruce up our homes, it’s also a great time to refresh and consider your career and aspirational goals. How good is that feeling when you’ve done a big spring clean?

Here are Integro’s 5 ways to spring clean your career.

1. Evaluate Your Goals

Take some time to reflect on your career aspirations. What is it that you want out of your position? Are you being challenged enough, or maybe too much? Can you see a clear path to your progression both in terms of skills and financial rewards? Does the company you work for align with your morals and ambitions? Have a think about exactly what your main work goals actually are and decide if the role you’re in and the company you work for is ticking those boxes. If not, it may be time to have a discussion with your employer about the next steps you can take, or seeing what the wider jobs market may be able to offer you. 

2. Assess Work-Life Balance

We don’t all live to work all the time, so if one of your career aspirations is to make more time for yourself or your family, this step is an important part of your spring clean. Evaluate how you're currently managing your time and energy – does your workload align with your personal and professional priorities? Consider setting boundaries, taking time off when needed, current working pattern and finding ways to recharge outside of work. Again, if the structure where you are is too rigid to allow you to make the most of your time, it may be a good time to think about making a move. Positive change might allow for a new way of working, that involves a better work / life balance.

3. Update Your Profile

Even if you’ve decided that your current position is giving you everything you need in terms of challenges, remuneration and work-life balance, it’s still a good idea to keep your Linked In profile and CV up to date. Why? Industry head hunters are constantly scouring LinkedIn for top candidates for their vacancies, and it might be that they can bring something brilliant your way. If your skills and experience is out of date, you may be overlooked for those opportunities. Keeping your CV up to date is also a sure-fire way that you don’t lose any time in an interview process. If something comes your way which excites you, you want to be able to get a CV in front of a hiring manager promptly and not lose out to other applicants. Keeping your Linked In and CV up to date is a must.

4. Update Your Skills

The professional landscape is constantly evolving, these days more quickly than ever, and staying relevant in your industry requires ongoing skill development. Identify the skills that are in demand in your field and seek out opportunities for training or certification. Attend workshops, webinars, or conferences to stay up-to-date with the latest trends and technologies. This not only enhances your current skill set but also demonstrates to employers that you are committed to continuous improvement, which will strengthen your case when it comes to the next performance review, pay rise or job move.

5. Grow Your Network and Gain New Connections

Spring is a great time to reconnect with professional contacts and expand your network. Attend industry events, join networking groups, and use online platforms such as Linked In to connect with colleagues, mentors, recruiters and potential collaborators. Strengthening your professional network can open up new opportunities, whether it's finding a mentor, exploring job prospects, or gaining valuable insights from others in your field.

By taking these steps, you can rejuvenate your career and set yourself on a path towards the best opportunities for your career, whether that’s within the company you’re at, or the next one. Remember, springcleaning is a continuous process, so make it a habit to regularly assess and refine your professional journey.

If you feel like you have taken stock of your situation and feel that it would be useful to get an overview of the job market in Wealth Management, Commercial Finance, Mortgage & Protection, Property / Estate Agency or Freight & Logistics, send us an email today and your corresponding industry consultant will arrange a good time to have a confidential chat with you; we can even help you out with optimising your profile to make the best first impression with prospective employers.