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Regardless of whether you've made formal New Year's resolutions, you likely have at least one or two career goals you want to accomplish in 2015. Maybe this will finally be the year you make that big career change, or perhaps you just want to learn a new skill that will help you advance in your current job.
If you do have big career aspirations for the new year, you're not alone. A recent survey by collaboration software and service provider PGi found that the top career goal of 22.6 percent of U.S. workers is to earn a raise or promotion in the next 12 months. Other job-related resolutions included establishing a better work-life balance (18.2 percent), becoming more organized (16.7 percent) and pursuing continuing education (12.1 percent).
"Employees have a greater level of expectations than ever before," said Sean O'Brien, executive vice president of strategy and communications at PGi. "People want career opportunities [and] better work-life balance. They're keenly interested in doing their jobs, enhancing their corporate goals and personal [goals] as well."
Jack Hill, director of talent acquisition solutions at human capital management software company PeopleFluent, said that self-directed career development will be another big goal for workers this year.
"What people are focusing on is ... [asking,] 'How do I make myself better, make myself more available for positions, promotions, etc.?'" Hill told Business News Daily. "The onus is on the employee to drive ... their own learning to develop skill sets and competencies. The advantage of this is that you don't have to wait for cyclical performance evaluations where career development is led by the manager or HR. [You can] take control of your career."
If you want to advance your career in 2015, follow these four expert tips to get started.
Be proactive. As Hill noted, the key to career progress is taking control of it yourself. If your boss or human resources manager only discusses advancement opportunities at annual performance reviews, make a point to meet with him or her to talk through your potential career path. Hill said that HR should be able to provide information to potential and current employees about past career paths for others who have had the same or similar roles, and what that person must do to move up the ladder.
Gabriel Bristol,president and CEO of customer service solutions company Intelicare Direct, said it's very important to be aware of what's going on around you as well. Is there a job promotion you could apply for? Has your boss been dropping hints of expanding the team? Research the steps you should be taking to accomplish your career goals — you don't want to miss an opportunity that's right under your nose.
Start every day prepared and engaged. If you want to advance your career, you need to demonstrate that you're truly engaged in your current position. It's not enough to physically be there at your desk every day, Bristol said. Show up mentally prepared and ready to take action. Being active, tackling tasks and planning ahead are the characteristics you need to take the initiative in your career.
Use technology to help you. According to the PGi survey, workers believe their career resolutions will be driven by better business technologies. Topping employees' tech wish lists for the new year are tablets for work (23.7 percent), project management tools (15.1 percent) and productivity apps (14.5 percent).
"Employees want technologies to help them be more efficient and productive," O'Brien said. "[They want] to do more with less and work smarter, not harder."
While your employer may be responsible for some of the bigger IT demands like collaboration software, you can do your own research into tools that will help you get your job done better. For instance, you can download productivity and inbox management apps to your mobile devices to keep you organized and ready to tackle your biggest work challenges.
Be confident and commit to your goals. A lack of confidence is one of the biggest obstacles to achieving both personal and professional goals. Bristol noted that workers need to believe in their own abilities, effectively capitalize on their strengths and address their weaknesses when planning their path to success. Then, when you know what you want out of your career, commit to doing whatever it takes to get there, even if it involves some risk.
"Most of us are afraid to take a risk because we might fail, but if we never take that leap to capture the career of our dreams, we won't ever get there," Bristol said. "Know what you want, and don't worry about failing. If failure is in your head, you won't be fully committed to chasing your dreams."
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