February 22, 2024, by mzyey2

Creating career habits for success in 2024

By Eve Yellop, medicine A100 – image from Pixabay

By February, many of us have already abandoned our New Year’s Resolutions. Whether it’s committing to run marathons or waking up at 5 am, these goals often fall by the wayside. Instead of setting yourself up for disappointment, why not channel your resolutions into something both practical and beneficial? How about focusing on cultivating some fresh career habits that are not only achievable but also truly impactful?

1. Set career goals for the year

Setting a clear end goal is the cornerstone of effective habit formation. It’s not just about finding motivation; it’s about giving your habits purpose and direction. Whether it’s enhancing your CV with three key skills or landing your dream job, having a concrete objective guides your daily actions and ensures you’re on the right track.

2. Make a ‘big doc’

The ‘big doc’ is a game-changer in career planning. It’s a centralised document housing all your achievements, from school sports to volunteer work. Every job, hobby, certification, and qualification finds a place here, easily updatable with each new accomplishment. When it’s time to update your CV or prep for an interview, this document becomes your go-to resource. No more struggling to remember details – everything you need to impress is neatly organised in one place. It’s like having your personal encyclopedia of achievements at your fingertips.

3. Start a new hobby

When you start new hobbies at university you’re not just having fun—you’re setting yourself up for future success. Some great examples at Nottingham are the Debate Society and Public Speaking. Think about it, debating sharpens your critical thinking and arguing skills, which are gold in careers like law or politics. Public speaking? That’s your ticket to mastering communication and presentation, perfect for leadership and public-facing roles. And don’t sleep on creative societies. They teach you to think outside the box, a must for fields like marketing or journalism. So, by exploring these interests now, you’re not just killing time; you’re building the foundation for crucial career skills, plus it looks great on your CV.

4. Take up an Nottingham Advantage Award module

The Nottingham Advantage Award (NAA) is the university’s free employability scheme, offering a variety of modules. Whether you are looking to try something new, meet friends or showcase your skills to employers, the NAA can provide all of this and the modules are even printed on your transcript at the end of your degree.

Adopt these habits today and watch 2024 become your most thriving career year yet!

If you’re unsure on the targets you want to set yourself for 2024, then speak to a careers adviser who can point you in the right direction.

Posted in Careers AdviceStudent Bloggers