2011 Career To-Do List

by Robyn Tellefsen

A new year (and a new decade!) brings tremendous opportunities to refresh and revamp your professional life. Whether you need a new career or you could just use some help getting beyond the status quo, you can take some specific steps to give your work the boost it needs. Take action now, and you'll reap career benefits long after 2011 takes its final bow.

Make a plan.
Some people stay in their jobs for years because they're comfortable, and they just haven't thought much about where their career is headed. Maybe you don't love your job, but you think the hours, pay, and benefits can't be beat. The question is whether you'll wake up one morning wondering what in the world you're doing and why. Something better could be right around the corner, but you'll never find it if you don't venture out of your cubicle. Take time to think about what you really want for your career, and set short- and long-term career goals to make it happen.

Find a mentor.
Going it alone is not a wise move in any area of life, and your career is no exception. Seek out someone in a higher position within your organization (or without) to talk through your career goals and ways to achieve them. You can even get some good career advice from professionals on social networking sites like LinkedIn. If you haven't already established a presence on these sites, get started now.

Take advantage of employer-sponsored training.
While some organizations are too small to offer education benefits, and others have scaled back on training and development as a result of the recession, there are still companies out there that subsidize employee training. Plus, you never know what kind of tuition assistance or corporate education opportunities you can get until you ask, even if your company has never offered these career benefits before. There's a first time for everything!

Update your career skills.
Even if you're not fortunate enough to get education freebies on the job, it's still wise to pursue training on your own. Make sure your technology skills are up-to-date, and hone "soft" skills such as communication, collaboration, critical thinking, and conflict resolution. Sign up for classes that will help you develop these career skills, and practice them at work. Then watch and see how your extracurricular training affects your job performance and helps you achieve your career goals.

Ace your review.
Some organizations offer reviews like clockwork, while others need to be requested. Think of the review as an opportunity to draw your boss' attention to your recent accomplishments, and consider how you can make a strong case for a salary increase. You may not be offered a raise unless you ask for it, so don't be shy. Prepare diligently for this meeting so you can make a case for advancement that your boss can't refuse.

Learn something new.
It's easy to get stuck in the same old, same old, especially if you've been doing the same job for years. Whether you want to climb the corporate ladder or you just want to give yourself a challenge and keep your career skills fresh, show some initiative by requesting or volunteering for projects that will broaden your experience and demonstrate your desire and your ability to learn new things. This may also open doors to a job in a different area of the company, which can ultimately increase your marketability.

Set specific career goals for 2011, and watch your professional life soar into 2012 and beyond.