So you’ve eaten copious amounts of food, hung out with family and friends and enjoyed the Christmas and New Year break. Now it is back to square one.

You’ve probably set some New Year’s resolutions in regards to your lifestyle (exercise more, eat less etc.) but have you thought about a New Year, New Career?

Did you leave your desk in 2013 dreading returning? Are you sick of the daily grind that has become your job? Then it’s time for a new job, and what better way to kick start 2014 with a bang.

Set goals
So if are thinking of trying out something different work wise for 2014, start by setting some goals. Have you thought about where you would like your career to go? Do you want something in the same field or a completely different one? Would you consider going back to study? What is it that you really want out of your career.

Start by writing down a list of things you would like to accomplish or ideally would like career wise. Would you like a job you could make your way up in? Or would you like a company culture similar to your personality (young and sociable or mature and professional). Would you also consider a promotion within the company you are in? Whilst you may hate your current job, there may be another job in the company that might tickle your fancy. Talk to your boss to see what could be done.

Whatever you decide, make sure it is something you are genuinely interested in and passionate about.

See what is out there
Jump on Google, Seek, various recruitment companies’ websites and other job search engines to see what is happening in the job market place. According to Recruiter.com, phoning a friend is also an effective way to find a job, as you have more than a 40% chance of being hired if you are referred from within a company. Also, get networking! Get on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter or other social media outlets (check out our links for regular updates:Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn ). Let people know you are on the lookout for new work (be careful who you have on your friends lists and make sure your boss isn’t on there!) and reach out to different people. TIP: Make sure you have tidied up your social media profiles and have deleted any drunken Christmas photos (see our previous blog on cleaning up your social media).

Volunteer
As well as doing something good for your career, you could also do something beneficial for the community. Why not volunteer in a company (not for profit or otherwise) to get a feel for what you do or do not like. You may think you would like to work with dogs and other animals, but may come to realise that there is a big brown downside to that type of work. Volunteering gets your “feelers” out there and also opens you up to potential employers.

Target list of companies
Make a list of potential companies you would like to work for. Contact them personally to see if they are hiring and explain to them why you are interested in working for them. You may like the company policy on casual wear or the charities they support.

Update your CV
Before you approach any companies, make sure you have updated your CV. Don’t forget to add anything you may have done over the holidays.

Now you can enjoy a new job and a new you! The New Year is for new beginnings so make 2014 the best year yet for you and your career.

Written by Natassja Ford