IGNITE February 2020

Five work goals for 2020

Make this the year to try some career enhancements

Check out the “skills preferred” qualifications on job posts that interest you. Pick one skill to focus on and identify how you can set goals for improvement.

As young professionals, we still have a lot to learn in our various industries. Why wait until the next New Year to develop fresh career goals?

Maybe you’d like to increase your competency at the job you have, or perhaps you’d like to search for a new gig altogether. Either way, it’s beneficial to continuously improve as a professional.

Here are some simple objectives to help you grow as a new entry to the workforce.

Find a Mentor

Make it a priority to regularly meet one-on-one with someone who can offer advice from a place of experience, and constructive criticism from a place of genuine regard. Preferably, this person works within your company and knows the ins and outs of what you’re trying to accomplish on a regular basis.

If you already have a mentor, prioritize maintaining that bond. Go out for lunch at the end of each quarter, or request private meetings in the office. The impetus is on you to make a plan.

Add a Skill to Your Resume

It’s easy to just focus on what you’re naturally good at. But, if you want to increase your value within the workplace, ask yourself, “What’s something I could learn to contribute more to my company?” Could you dabble more in Photoshop or some other type of technology? Do you know how your immediate boss does every aspect of their job?

Check out the “skills preferred” qualifications on job posts that interest you. Pick one skill to focus on and identify how you can set goals for improvement.

Ditch Negativity

This one is two-fold. First, identify what you don’t like about your job and adjust your mindset. Is there a task you dread, such as talking with angry customers or speaking about your company’s products in front of a large audience? Instead of running away from these tasks or passing them on to someone else, resolve to approach them with gusto. Tell your boss you want to do these things. In addition to developing professionally, you’ll also have some great talking points for your next performance review.

Second, refrain from engaging in gossip at work. Put in earphones when you hear co-workers complaining around your desk. You never know when your words could come back to haunt you. Venting can be therapeutic, but save it for a close friend in the right environment.

Update Your Resume and LinkedIn

Even if you’re happy at your current job, it’s still a good idea to have a polished resume that’s ready to send out and a LinkedIn profile that grabs the attention of potential hirers. Maybe you’ll want to join a nonprofit’s board of directors and be required to provide a resume. Maybe a recruiter will come across your LinkedIn profile and offer you a moredesirable job (which you could either take or return to your boss for a salary re-negotiation). If you’re always ready to professionally present yourself, you’ll have more opportunities.

Ask for (at Least) One Thing You Want

Is there something on your mind that could improve your job performance and/or life outside of work? If so, bring it to your boss’s attention. This could be something as audacious as a pay raise, or something as simple as adjusting the office thermostat. Learning how to advocate for yourself is a skill in its own right.

Check in with your mentor to see if your request is reasonable. Leaving 15 minutes earlier at the end of the day? Working from home once a week? Truly reflect on how your company can help you, so you in turn can help your company. You never know what additional “job perks” you can receive until you ask.

Lindsey Gapen Lukas is managing editor, Northwest Quarterly, and a member of Ignite.

The views expressed are those of Lukas’ and do not necessarily represent those of the Rockford Chamber of Commerce.