Do you love January? The stress of presents, parties, and the perfect holiday season is over, and for some of us we can reflect on the past year as well as brainstorm goals for the new year ahead. January can be filled with optimism, possibility, and excitement.

I like to imagine the best self I will create over the next 12 months. For many, motivation is at its highest in January, and I can’t help feeling like 2023 will be the best year yet.

So, in that spirit, make 2023 the year that you stop settling for a job that stifles your creativity, makes you dread waking up in the morning, long for weekends and vacations, or wastes your intelligence. Time for a change! The start of a new year is the perfect time to update your resume and cover letter, start networking, sign up for classes, and apply for a new position or career.

Is It Time for Something New?

You may have been considering a career change for a while, so let’s explore the idea for a moment. Studies show that women who are passionate about their career path are not only more productive, but happier in all facets of life and have greater life satisfaction.

Working in a career where you are happy also leads to positive peer relationships and more collaboration. Now, there are two specific ways that pursuing a new career could lead to greater happiness.

One question to ask yourself is why you want to leave your current job in the first place. Does it cause anxiety or dread? Does your current job lack strong peer relationships and/or collaboration? Do you feel like your potential or contribution at your current job is going unnoticed or that you’re undervalued?

Take some time to think through these questions and reflect on the answers. Be honest with yourself. If you answered yes to any of these questions, then it is time to consider a career change.

Another approach is to recognize that intellectual and emotional health (as well as happiness and life satisfaction) grow when we are faced with new challenges that we are excited to solve. If you are considering a change, that is almost always your gut telling you that you need to step into something new, whether that is a promotion or a career pivot.

The benefit of stepping into the unknown, although scary, is that it engages you mentally and develops your problem-solving skills. Any new pursuit is scary, but don’t let that keep you stuck.

Last year, my client Rachel decided to take the leap, transition out of a stressful, unfulfilling career, and start her own business. Talk about scary; she was moving from a very stable, traditional job where she had been the majority of her life, to one where she was constantly learning during the process of working, troubleshooting, and wearing all the hats.

I had a chance to catch up with her last week, and she shared that she is happier, her marriage is better, she’s lost weight, and she has the energy to volunteer for causes she is passionate about! If you asked her, she would say that the anxiety of stepping out into the unknown was worth it in the end.

Now Is the Perfect Time for a Change

January is the optimal time for a fresh start in your career. The holiday season is over, and people are back into the work routine. Perhaps now you have the time to focus on updating your cover letter and resume, ask for references, look over job posts, and even explore new jobs that have popped up in your company due to restructuring.

January is one of the best times to apply for a new position or transition into a new career. Hiring managers and recruiters have the green light to post open positions and those interview spots are filling up quickly!

It’s Time to Get in the Driver’s Seat

If you are looking for a new role to challenge you or want to transition into a completely new career, here are some tips to make you stand out from the crowd.

Start Networking – It’s Easier Than You Think

In today’s digital age, networking can be as easy as reaching out to your friends and family to ask them about leads. I have several clients who secured a new position because a friend or family member referred them to a job! Putting yourself out there is the first step in up-leveling your life.

How up to date is your LinkedIn profile? LinkedIn is one of the top ways to showcase yourself, your skills, experience, testimonials/references, and network.

Make sure you have a great, attention-grabbing headline, use bullet points to showcase your skills, add a professional photo on your profile, and include references from past employers or mentors that highlight your best features. I created a resource, “Get Noticed on LinkedIn,” that you can grab for free and start the process!

Give Your Resume a Facelift

Your resume can make or break whether you get past the application tracking software! Recruiters spend less than 30 seconds (some studies say the number is closer to 10 seconds) looking over each resume, searching for keywords, skills, or applicable training. You need to make sure your resume stands out.

My client, Margarette, has a primary resume document with a master list of all her skills, roles, training, and education all formatted correctly. When applying for a position, she chooses which of her skills, etc. fit into the job description she is applying for and customizes her resume for that job using what she already has on her master document.

Let’s Have a Conversation:

What is your passion, and are you ready to transition to a new career this year? Are you ready to make a change that seems overwhelming?