It’s almost here, Christmas 🎄. Where did the year go you ask, well by the time we juggle work and personal commitments time soon passes fast. A few months back we wrote an article on sitting down to think and assess your career.

You may or may not have had the chance to sit back and think but as we head into that special time we often reflect, wish for a reset to feel refreshed so there is no better time to start a career review on yourself.

Grab a pen and paper, take notes in your phone or whatever works best for you. Ask yourself:

1. What are my career goals?
2. Does my current position fulfill me, is there something missing?
3. Is the environment I work in a positive one?

Once you have the answers to the above it is time to dig deeper and ask yourself these 8 questions and be honest as you are not talking to an employer but talking to yourself answer from the heart.

• What skills have I learned this year? These can be technical or soft skills.
• What have I achieved within my career goals this year? Have I improved from the beginning of the year, or have I stayed the same?
• Did I take on new challenges outside of my comfort zone? What was my biggest achievement? E.g., that impossible project that I finished with outstanding feedback.
• What duties and tasks did I enjoy most and least? As you progress, you may need to take on new challenges. Identify areas of your job that you love and whether you will see yourself continuing to do these tasks in the coming years and whether they are a part of progressing or not.
• Am I up to date professionally with skills? What do I need to learn?
• Has anything this year affected my circumstances is there work life balance
• Do I have good habits or unproductive ones? Identify a plan if you need to make some changes.
• What should I do next – What time frame should I do this in and what do I want/need next; training, registration/certification, promotion, or new company?
• Should I change employers and what should I focus on to prepare for the next stage?

Now is the best time to plan your personal development and action plan and work towards achieving your professional ambition be honest.

There are only positives to carrying out a career review on yourself. Time for self-reflection and planning. At Arcadia Recruitment, we offer industry insight, expert knowledge, and advice on how to get your next role. Talk to us confidentially to learn more.

Arcadia Recruitment are specialist in Architecture, Design, and Planning in Brisbane if you would like help with finding your new role, please feel free to get in touch for a confidential discussion.

Caroline Sanders – Director of Arcadia Recruitment