New Year, New Career: 2024 Career Resolutions for New Grads

With 2024 just around the corner, it’s not only time to wave goodbye to the ups and downs of 2023, but to start welcoming brand-new opportunities into your professional life. So, get ahead of the game and create a list of easy-to-stick-to career resolutions over the festive season.

Think of the new year as a blank canvas, where you’re in full control of your plans for the next 12 months. Perhaps you’re looking for a new graduate job, or keen to have a career change. Or, maybe you’re ready to snap up that upcoming promotion.

Instead of making those fad resolutions such as starting a health kick, or cutting down on spending, think about your career goals instead. Make 2024 your year for professional growth and put your intentions into action.

Here are a few useful new year career resolutions for 2024:

Acquire new skills

In such a competitive job market, continuous learning is crucial to stay ahead of the competition and contribute to your early career development. With new skills under your belt, you’ll become better equipped to tackle challenges, gain the confidence to take on extra responsibilities and also, shows that you are a forward-thinking candidate who isn’t about to stand still.

Identify areas within your field where you’re keen to gain further expertise. This could be achieved by volunteering for projects in your local area, which will not only challenges you to step outside of your comfort zone, but also exposes you to unfamiliar situations and experiences. As such, you’re bound to gain more transferable soft skills (such as organisation, teamwork and the ability to work under pressure) which will help you become a more marketable candidate in the graduate job search.

You could also consider enrolling onto an online short course, as you’ll gain knowledge on the latest industry trends and practices and develop a deeper understanding of theories and practices in your field.

If you have always dreamed of working abroad, or within international corporations, why not learn a new language? Not only will it add a unique quality to your repertoire, but you’ll also become more interconnected in both personal and professional settings which could open new doors globally.

Expand your network

Ever heard the saying, “It’s not about what you know, but who you know”? There is some truth in this phrase when you’re on the graduate job hunt. So, with January just a few weeks away, make it your priority to grow your circle of professional connections to add to your list of career resolutions.

Of course, you need to get yourself out there.

Sign up for industry events where people in your line of work may be holding talks or workshops. Essentially, it’s all about rubbing shoulders with those who could become major players in your career development; whether they present themselves as a mentor or point you in the direction of job openings.

Online platforms such as LinkedIn are also valuable tools to mingle with industry pros. Re-fresh your profile by mentioning your skills, experience, goals, and of course, previous job roles to prove your level of expertise to employers. Join discussions and groups, and don’t be afraid to send connection requests if you’re keen to chat with someone in your line of work.

Work-life balance

While career aspirations are always going to take centre stage for any driven graduate, remember that your well-being is key to unlocking your full potential. So, go after your dreams – but set some time aside for self-care too.

First and foremost; set some ground rules. Disconnect from your work phone/computer when your working day has come to an end, so you have the breathing space to unwind. Plus, allow yourself to take regular breaks to maintain productivity and reduce burnout; whether it’s a short coffee break or a few minutes of gentle stretching to retain good posture.

Final note…

With a new year on the horizon, use the above example career resolutions as commitments to help you progress on your professional journey. May your 2024 be filled with success, whether it be securing your dream graduate job or embarking on an unexpected opportunity. Check out our latest grad job vacancies now on our job board!