3 Fundamental Ways to Create Career Opportunities in 2023: Year-End Blog Roundup

When you actively manage your professional path, you can create career opportunities for yourself, in good times or more challenging ones. We have seen a lot transpire in 2022—from “The Great Resignation” to the beginning of what might become known as “The Great Regret.” Shifts in the job market and industries have required us to maintain resiliency and fortitude as we move forward into 2023.

For my 2022 year-end blog retrospective, I’ve provided three core ways you can create career opportunities in the coming year, which are supported by topics I focused on in this year’s articles. These three overarching areas of proactive career management are central to what I coach and teach as a career services consultant. I hope this roundup helps bring you up to speed on any articles you may have missed in 2022 or serves as a refresher to kick off the new year!

Create a Strategic Plan for Your Job Search Campaign

Whether you’re actively seeking your next role or keeping your options open, I recommend having a strategic plan to guide your professional path. This year, I covered three ways you can set yourself up for success by preparing for interviews, setting goals, and engaging in informational interviews and networking conversations.

Prep for Interviews for Leadership Roles by Increasing Self-Awareness

If you’re aiming for a leadership role, self-awareness about your vision, strengths, and style will help you better articulate your value to potential employers. In this article, I’ve provided tips and questions that will help you gain this insight and may even prompt you to make adjustments while you are in your current role.

Set SMART Goals

When you’re in the midst of a job search, you may find it challenging to stay focused. A simple tool, SMART goals, can help you get past roadblocks so you can make tangible progress. Even if you’re familiar with SMART goals already, I describe how to leverage this tool specifically for job searches and career-related goals.

Accelerate Your Search with Informational Interviews

Informational interviews or networking conversations can offer many benefits when you’re engaging in career exploration, such as practice with career-driven conversations and communicating your aspirations to people who might be able to help you down the road. I provide a step-by-step plan so you can embrace this valuable activity.

Have a Polished, Up-to-Date Resume Ready

I urge all professionals—whether or not they’re engaged in an active job search—to have an updated resume on hand so they’re ready when an opportunity presents itself. To help you do so, two of this year’s blog articles focused on resumes and application documents.

Incorporate Advice from an Executive Recruiter

Job seekers often ask me what makes a resume compelling to recruiters. This summer, I interviewed former executive recruiter Andrew Gardner to get an insider’s perspective, which I shared in a two-part series. The first part of this interview features Andy’s tips for resumes and cover letters, including why you should reconsider listing soft skills that aren’t backed by evidence and why it’s advantageous to be a “Keeper.”

Use Resume Sections That Showcase Your Value

Are you in the process of writing or updating your resume, and wonder what information you should include—and omit? Learn to create a resume by thinking of its overarching structure first, then building it in sections that best fit your achievements and advance your goals.

Grow and Nurture Your Professional Network

Networking may not be many people’s favorite activity, but it’s critical in helping you create career opportunities, either as part a job search or to set yourself up for success later. This year, I covered three networking-related topics in my blog.

Use LinkedIn Efficiently

Many people are on LinkedIn only because they know they should be. To take advantage of this powerful resource, you need to use it intentionally to connect and engage with your network in a meaningful way. In this article, I provide 10 LinkedIn strategies to help you leverage this platform to support your growth and goals.

Brush Up on Etiquette

Believe it or not, networking can be enjoyable—if you’re prepared. Before you attend a networking event, you should consider your appearance as well as your message and your audience. If you’re feeling a little bit rusty—especially with in-person etiquette—the tips in this article are for you.

Develop Relationships with Recruiters—Before You Need a Job

Job seekers regularly ask about best practices for interacting with recruiters. In the second part of my interview with Andrew Gardner, he shares a significant insight: professionals should build relationships with recruiters with a long-term vision in mind—not just when needing a new job. Andy shares a wealth of information, including the types of recruiting engagements and etiquette for contacting and following up with recruiters.

Closing Thoughts

If you focus on these areas in the coming year, you can create career opportunities for yourself and meet professional goals. Motivation is key to developing and keeping this momentum going. If you’ve followed my blog and newsletter, you already know I’m a fan of motivational quotes. I keep my favorites on hand to give me a boost when I need it. So, I’ll close with one of my favorites:

“If you’re offered a seat on a rocket ship, don’t ask what seat! Just get on.”—Sheryl Sandberg