Daily Archives: February 10, 2017

Poll Results: What are Your Career Goals for 2017?

goalsThe start of a new year is a perfect opportunity for a fresh start and a chance to take inventory of what you want to accomplish for the year. In December, we asked our Movin’ On Up Readers what their career goals were for 2017, and they are ambitious.

Twenty-two percent said they want to learn a new skill this year, while 18% said they are going to get a job. A total of 14% aim to change jobs, and “get a raise” came in just under that at 13%.

Other results include:

  • Join a professional organization — 10%
  • Get a promotion — 9%
  • Go to school — 7%
  • Graduate — 3%

In addition, 5% of readers selected “other” and cited the following reasons:

  • Open my own business
  • Do what I love to do
  • Become a great leader
  • Grow my team to the next level

Learn a New Skill

Whether you are looking to get a promotion this year or change careers, learning a new skill can really impress your boss or the hiring manager. Luckily, there are plenty of free resources online that cater to a wide range of careers, so there’s something for everyone.

If you don’t have the time for a class, there are also some other creative ways to weave learning a new skill into your daily life, such as subscribing to industry blogs and newsletters and meeting with the leaders of your company.

Land That New Job

Before you start filling out applications, take the time to optimize your resume. Do you have the right keywords to match a job description? Are there grammatical errors? Check out these five resume tips to help you land that job.

And don’t get discouraged if you don’t get your dream job right away. The job search is different for everyone and it’s important to take care of your health during that time. Remember to take breaks from writing cover letters and do something you enjoy, like going for a walk or working in the garden.

What are some other career goals you’ve set for 2017? Let us know in the comments below!