Five Steps to a Better Career in 2012

Beyond breaking your cheese doodle habit and saving more money, you’ve probably got a career resolution or two. And, if not, you should!

Here are some ideas to get you started on your 2012 career advancement plan, courtesy of Julie Redfield, talent management expert at PA Consulting Group:

Connect the dots. Career building is all about the connections, isn’t it? “Reconnect with school friends, prior employers and others in your profession. You never know where that next opportunity will come from,” says Redfield.

Look up. Redfield suggests that you identify a mentor, at least two levels up from your current position, and ask if you can pick his or her brain for career advice. This strategy also works if you’re looking into entering a new industry. See if you can identify someone willing to show you the ropes, whether it’s at an industry event, or by requesting an informational interview with someone at a company you’d love to work for.

Meet new people at work. Make this your goal today: “Identify one person in the office that I don’t know, and make an effort to get to know them and learn what their career aspirations are,” says Redfield. Along those lines, try to pay one genuine compliment to someone new every day. Getting to know people and being likeable, can go a long way.

Be the boss’ go-to employee. Every Monday, pay a visit to your boss’ office and ask what’s on his or her worry list, says Redfield. Then offer to help. That’ll help you remain top of mind, and when it comes time for promotions, guess who will be at the top of the consideration list?

Get smarter. This is one of our best tips, but we’re sure Redfield and other career experts would agree. If there’s a skill you’re lacking or something you don’t know, make this the year that you update your knowledge. Take a class online, see if your company offers career training, go to seminars, or if it’s warranted, consider exploring a certificate or degree program.

What are your career resolutions? Please share them with us here, or on Twitter (use #careerresolution).

Happy 2012!

-Dawn Papandrea