Tag Archive for: goal setting

Why the Holidays Are the Best Time to Find a Job

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The holiday season is often seen as a time for relaxation and celebration, but did you know it’s also one of the best times to search for a new job? Contrary to popular belief, the demand for talent doesn’t pause during the holidays—and savvy job seekers can use this window to get ahead. Whether you’re looking to land your dream role or simply take advantage of seasonal opportunities, the holidays can offer unique advantages.

Here’s 5 reasons why it’s a great time to get started:

1. Less Competition During Holidays

While many people assume hiring slows down during the holiday season, the truth is that hiring managers continue to search for qualified candidates. The difference? Fewer people are applying during this period. Many job seekers pause their search, believing it’s not worth the effort, creating a less crowded playing field for those who remain active. With fewer applications flooding inboxes, your resume is more likely to stand out. Hiring managers have more time to focus on the candidates who do apply, giving you the chance to receive more attention than usual. This means you might get contacted faster, scheduled for interviews more quickly, and considered more seriously for open positions. By staying active when others go inactive, you give yourself a significant advantage.

2. End of Year Hiring

Many businesses aim to wrap up hiring before the year ends. Companies often have budgets that must be spent by December 31, including funds earmarked for hiring. This means that many hiring managers feel the pressure to fill vacancies quickly before the new year begins. Additionally, roles that have been open for months often receive renewed focus as teams push to finalize their year-end hiring goals. It’s also common for companies to plan ahead by hiring in December for positions that will officially start in January. This creates a window where quick decisions are made, which works in favor of motivated job seekers who are ready to seize opportunities.

3. Flexible Assignments

Seasonal and temporary roles abound during the holidays. These short-term positions are perfect for those who need flexibility or are looking to add experience to their resumes. Manufacturing, logistics, production, and even administrative roles often see a surge in demand during this period. Taking on a contingent position isn’t just about earning extra cash—it’s also an excellent opportunity for networking and gaining new skills. Many companies use seasonal assignments as a way to evaluate potential full-time employees. Performing well in a contract role could lead to a permanent position or a glowing reference for your next career move.

4. Holiday Pay

Beyond the abundance of flexible roles, many holiday jobs come with the added benefit of holiday pay. Employers understand that working during the busiest time of year can be challenging, so they often compensate by offering higher wages, bonuses, or holiday-related perks. This extra income can be especially helpful if you’re between jobs or looking to fund a career move. Whether it’s overtime pay, end-of-year bonuses, or special incentives, taking advantage of these roles can provide both financial and professional benefits.

5. Start the New Year Strong

Job searching during the holidays isn’t just about landing a role before January—it’s about setting yourself up for success in the year ahead. By starting your search early, you’re already ahead of those who wait until January to begin. Employers often use the new year to onboard fresh talent and implement new strategies. By throwing your hat in the ring during December, you’ll be among the first in line for positions that open in January. Plus, making good use of December shows your motivation and determination, traits that any hiring manager will value.

Make Your Holiday Job Search Count

The holidays don’t have to be a season of waiting—they can be a season of action. By taking advantage of less competition, end-of-year hiring urgency, flexible opportunities, and unique holiday perks, you can position yourself for success. Now’s the time to turn your job search into a winning strategy. Visit our job opportunities today and find positions that will kickstart your career in the New Year.

How to Get a Promotion: 9 Best Practices

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Do you have your sights set firmly on your future? If you’re a highly motivated employee and driven to succeed, then this means advancing to higher positions within your field. Simply marching into your boss’ office and asking for a promotion is a bold step, but you can take a few mini-steps to help you get there. When working towards—and asking for—a promotion, it can help to follow a few solid strategies.

Here are 9 tips to follow on the road to a promotion:

1. Be Clear About What You Want

A nebulous goal such as getting promoted might not fit into your long-term career plans. Figure out what specifically you wish to accomplish, and create a career plan that will help you get there. Ask yourself questions such as: What position do I want? When do I want to get promoted? How will getting a promotion help me achieve my ultimate career goals? This will help you develop a clear plan.

2. Communicate Effectively

Seeking feedback from your boss is crucial for your professional development and can greatly assist your path to promotion. Make sure to regularly communicate with your supervisor about your career goals and how you are working towards them. This shows your commitment to growth and helps you identify areas for improvement. By recognizing your strengths and weaknesses, you can refine your skills and align your efforts with the expectations of your desired role. This proactive approach fosters open communication with your supervisor, demonstrating your dedication and readiness for greater responsibilities within the organization.

3. Be a Problem-Solver

Being a problem solver is a valuable skill in any workplace. To show your potential for a promotion, it’s important to be a model employee who leads by example in solving problems. A successful problem solver is a self-starter who takes the initiative to identify and address issues before they escalate. Approach problems with a positive attitude and an open mind, seeking creative solutions that benefit everyone involved. Effective communication is essential: listen actively to others, express your thoughts clearly, and collaborate to find the best solution. By embodying these qualities and refining your problem-solving skills, you’ll demonstrate your potential as a future leader in your workplace.

4. Become a Positive Influence

Being a positive influence in your workplace can have a significant impact on your career growth. When you consistently display a good work ethic, remain calm under pressure, and maintain a positive attitude, you create a positive work environment that motivates both yourself and your colleagues to perform at their best. This not only leads to higher productivity but also improves the overall morale of the workplace. By making a conscious effort to be a positive influence, you demonstrate your leadership qualities and ability to work well with others.

5. Work on One Thing at a Time

Big goals are best accomplished in baby steps. Work with your boss to break your plan for advancement into smaller steps, and ask for support to help you accomplish them. Review your career plan with your boss every six months. This will help ensure you’re on track. You’ll be able to check off the important skills you’ve achieved in order to advance.

6. Find a Need and Fill It

Perhaps you know you’d like to advance within your company, but you’re not sure what position you’d like to advance to. Often, positions are created to fill company needs. If you notice a hole in a process or a role that might help your department, suggest to your boss that it’s something you’d like to work on. Your motivation and insight are both great steps toward a future promotion.

7. Showcase Your Skills and Accomplishments

Climbing the career ladder requires more than hard work and dedication; you must also showcase your skills and achievements to gain visibility for promotion. Start by identifying specific contributions that have helped your department or company succeed. Seek opportunities to share your successes with stakeholders by participating in cross-functional projects, presenting at team meetings, and sharing metrics. Building positive relationships within the company can enhance your visibility and chances for advancement.

8. Don’t Try Too Hard

Sucking up to your boss can be overwhelming to him or her, as well as annoying to your coworkers. And this can hurt the synergy within your team. It’s possible to be a hard worker without disrupting the balance within your department. If you try too hard to impress your boss, it could have the opposite effect and work against you. Instead, focus on doing your job well and let your work speak for itself.

9. Don’t Lose Sight of Your Day-to-Day.

Yes, it’s good to have goals. But don’t let them rob you of the motivation to accomplish your daily tasks. Your hard work is what is going to get you promoted, so work on doing the best you can at your current job while keeping an eye on your future. If you’re motivated to achieve more, you should be proud of your drive to succeed. Hard workers like you are the people who companies want to hire. Stick with your career plan and you will be destined for great things!

Personalized Job Search Support

At Award Staffing, we understand that finding a position that aligns with your career goals is essential for your professional growth. Our dedicated team works tirelessly to connect you with opportunities that not only match your skills and interests but also provide a clear path for advancement within your field. We offer personalized support throughout the job search process, ensuring you have access to resources and insights that can help you progress in your career. Browse our job opportunities and find the perfect fit for your aspirations!

How to Set Achievable Goals in 2024

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Setting goals can be an essential part of achieving success as an employee. It can help you stay focused, motivated, and productive throughout the year. As we approach 2024, now is the perfect time to evaluate your progress and set new goals for the future. Whether you want to improve your work performance, learn new skills, or achieve a promotion, a well-thought-out goal setting plan can help you get there.

In this blog post, we’ll explore how to set achievable goals, so you can thrive in your career.

1. Evaluate Your Work

Before you can set meaningful goals for the future, it’s crucial to thoroughly evaluate your performance from the past year. Take a deep dive into your accomplishments, challenges, and areas for improvement. Reflect on whether you exceeded, met, or fell short of the expectations set by your employer. What contributed to your success, and what held you back? Were there any specific projects or tasks that proved to be particularly challenging or rewarding? How did you handle conflicts or obstacles that arose? Be honest with yourself and consider asking for feedback from colleagues or your supervisor.

By conducting a comprehensive review of your performance, you can gain valuable insights and identify specific areas where you need to focus on personal growth and development. This self-assessment will serve as a solid foundation for setting realistic and achievable goals that align with your aspirations.

2. Set Realistic Goals

Once you have evaluated your work, it’s time to identify what you want to accomplish in the upcoming year. Whether you want to develop a new skill, increase productivity, or earn a promotion, setting specific goals can help you achieve your desired outcome. When setting goals, it’s essential to be realistic. While it’s tempting to aim high and set lofty objectives, it’s crucial to ensure that the goals you establish are achievable within a specific timeframe. Unrealistic or overly ambitious goals can lead to frustration and disappointment, which could hinder your motivation and progress.

To ensure that your goals are realistic, use the SMART method – Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-Bound. This framework will help you create goals that are clear, quantifiable, and relevant to your career aspirations. Specific goals are well-defined and clear, giving you a concrete idea of what you need to do. Measurable goals allow you to track your progress, using tangible evidence to determine if you’re moving closer to your objective. Achievable goals are realistic and within your capabilities. Relevant goals align with your long-term career aspirations, providing you with a sense of purpose and motivation. Lastly, Time-bound goals have a specific deadline, allowing you to stay accountable and focused.

3. Break Down Your Goals

Large, long-term goals can seem daunting or overwhelming at first glance. To avoid feeling discouraged, it’s helpful to break down your goals into smaller, more manageable tasks. By dividing your objectives into achievable chunks, you can stay motivated and track your progress as you work towards your ultimate goal.

Start by creating a timeline that outlines the steps required to achieve each goal. Then, set deadlines for each task and regularly review your progress. This will help you stay on track and make any necessary adjustments along the way. Additionally, celebrating small wins and milestones can provide a sense of accomplishment and boost your motivation to continue working towards your larger goal.

Another helpful tip is to categorize your goals into short-term, medium-term, and long-term objectives. This will help you prioritize which tasks to focus on first and ensure that you are making progress towards all of your goals. It’s important to remember that setting realistic deadlines and expectations for yourself is key. Don’t be afraid to adjust your timeline as needed – the most important thing is to keep moving forward.

4. Get Support from Your Colleagues

Seeking and accepting support from others can tremendously aid you in your journey towards achieving your career goals. It’s not only a sign of strength to admit that we all need assistance from time to time, but it also helps open up a multitude of avenues for growth. Colleagues and peers in the same field can provide invaluable insights, advice, and perspectives that you might not have considered. They could introduce you to new opportunities, help you network with influential people within the industry, or simply offer a listening ear during challenging times. Moreover, sharing your goals can help create a sense of accountability. When colleagues are aware of your aspirations, they can provide encouragement, check in on your progress, and offer constructive feedback, all of which can help you stay on track. The collective wisdom, experience, and moral support that you can gather from your colleagues are valuable resources that can greatly enhance your motivation, perseverance, and ultimately, your chances of success.

5. Celebrate Your Achievements

Finally, it’s important to celebrate your achievements along the way. Whether you reach a major milestone or simply make progress towards your goal, take the time to recognize your hard work and accomplishments. Celebrating your achievements can help keep you motivated and focused on your long-term career goals. One way to celebrate your achievements is by treating yourself to something special. This could be as simple as indulging in your favorite meal or purchasing a small gift that you’ve been wanting for a while. The important thing is to acknowledge and reward yourself for your efforts. Another way to celebrate your achievements is by sharing them with others. Whether it’s friends, family, or coworkers, sharing your successes can bring a sense of joy and fulfillment. Furthermore, it may even inspire others to pursue their own goals and dreams. Finally, don’t forget to take some time to reflect on your journey and how far you’ve come. Appreciate the challenges you overcame and the lessons you learned along the way. This will not only help you stay motivated but also provide a sense of gratitude for your achievements.

Going Forward

Setting achievable goals as an employee in 2024 is a vital part of advancing your career and achieving success. Taking the time to evaluate your work, setting realistic goals, and make measurable steps towards your goals can help you achieve your desired outcome. By seeking support from your colleagues and celebrating your achievements along the way, you can stay motivated and focused on your long-term career goals. With the right mindset and a well-thought-out plan, you can thrive in your career and reach your full potential. Looking for a new career opportunity this year? Check out our open positions and fulfill your career goals.