As we head into the holidays, most of you will have holiday parties and family gatherings to attend. Many of you will take a few extra days to reboot before starting the new year on the 2nd or 3rd of January, and number of you will create a list of New Year’s resolutions. This is also a great time to evaluate your career goals.

To adequately reflect on your career, begin by asking yourself the following questions:

• Do I like what I am doing?
• Do I feel challenged?
• Do I enjoy my co-workers?
• Is my boss supportive?
• Is there opportunity for growth?

If you answered “No” to any of those questions, then it might be time to consider a change, but it shouldn't be about just getting a different job, otherwise you’ll end up in the same place a year from now. You have to did deeper and think about your career trajectory. Where do you want to be in five years, ten years? If you hope to be the SVP of Human Resources in five years, then map out what it will take to get there: the roles in between your current position and the SVP position, and then note other barriers such as education, certifications, experience, and accomplishments, etc.

While there is a difference between required and recommended, you need to read between the lines. If staying at your current company is an option, then look at those people who currently fill the roles you will need to pursue to achieve your long-term goal. If all of the HR managers have certifications or advanced degrees, then you will also need those qualifications, even if job descriptions state recommended versus required.

To gain more experience, volunteer to take on projects where you can shine and showcase your skills. Record your achievements and keep evidence – it is easy to forget over time what you’ve accomplished and we are notoriously bad about self-promotion.

如果你的技能、经验和其他资质足以让你跳槽，那么是时候准备你的简历、LinkedIn资料，开始找工作了。回到这些问题，然后问：

• 我喜欢做什么？
• 什么会挑战我？
• 我喜欢和什么样的人一起工作？
• 我最看重老板的哪些品质？

这些问题的答案将帮助你制定一个长期计划。然后花几分钟时间看看之前的博客文章，比如制定求职计划、Valerie Germain的面试、商务写作的5个技巧、更新你的LinkedIn个人资料等等。

祝你和你的家人节日快乐，给自己一些时间来反思你的职业、目标和未来。

在1月份，请关注关于这些话题和其他话题的新博文。