Strategy: Track Your Career By Auditing Your Progress

The halfway point of the year is the perfect time to conduct a mid-year career audit. This process allows you to evaluate your progress, reassess goals, and make the changes needed to stay on track for success.

This post is a guide to conducting your own mid-year career audit. We will review personal development, career strategy, leadership, and personal branding. I will conclude with suggestions on possible next steps after you complete your audit.

Check Your Foundation

Knowing your power is the foundation of a successful career, and professional development is the means to self-awareness. It involves a commitment to improving your skills, knowledge, and self-awareness. Areas to review are:

• Evaluate your skills. Identify your strengths and places for improvement. Are there any new skills that are needed for your industry? Look for training programs, certificates, or workshops that can bridge any skill gaps.
  
• Set new goals. Review your career goals. Are they still relevant, or have your interests changed? Set fresh, realistic goals that align with your current ambitions.
  
• Seek Feedback: Regular feedback from peers, mentors, and supervisors can provide valuable insights into your performance and opportunities for improvement. You can perform your own 360-degree assessment. Ask peers, mentors, and supervisors about what they perceive to be your strengths and areas for improvement.

Career Strategy: Plan for the Future

A well-defined career strategy can help you navigate the complexities of the job market and achieve your long-term goals. The question I would ask is whether your career strategy still aligns with your career goals? Has your strategy taken you closer to your career goals? If not, inspect what’s delaying/hindering progress? Is it mindset? A lack of action? Have your interests changed?

It may be time to revise your strategy.

Here’s an often overlooked resource: your network. Your network may hold the best leads you can get anywhere else. Consider this:

Networking is more than just attending events and exchanging business cards. It’s about building genuine relationships. Reach out to former colleagues, join professional organizations, industry groups, and forums. Your network can provide support, offer new opportunities, and open doors to potential mentors.

Leverage your network. It could be your golden ticket to your next job.

Leadership: Stepping Up Your Game

Leadership is not just about managing others. Nor is it simply a title. It’s about inspiring and influencing those around you. As you evaluate your career:

• Develop Your Leadership Skills: Whether you’re in a leadership position or aspiring to be, focus on honing essential skills such as communication, emotional intelligence, and decision-making.
  
• Lead by example. Demonstrate integrity, accountability, and resilience. Show your team that you commit to their success as much as your own.
  
• Mentorship: Consider mentoring junior colleagues. It’s a great way to share your knowledge and experiences. It can also provide fresh perspectives and learning opportunities for you.

Historical Inspiration: Marie Curie

Marie Curie is a shining example of someone who achieved extraordinary career achievement despite overwhelming odds. Curie’s career, as the first woman to receive a Nobel Prize and the first person to win in two scientific fields (Physics and Chemistry), exemplifies dedication, resilience, and passion. Despite significant challenges in a male-dominated field, she persisted, leaving an indelible influence on science and inspiring countless women to pursue careers in STEM.

Curie’s career path emphasizes the value of tenacity, lifelong learning, and breaking barriers. Her legacy serves as a reminder that, with determination and hard work, great things are possible.

You can learn more about Marie Curie here.

Crafting Your Professional Identity

Your personal brand is how you present yourself to the world. It’s a combination of your skills, experiences, and the values you stand for. At the mid-year point, refining your personal brand can open new doors and elevate your professional presence.

• Online Presence: Make sure your LinkedIn profile is up-to-date and reflects your accomplishments and goals. Share articles, participate in discussions, and showcase your expertise.
  
• Consistency: Align your personal brand with your professional activities. Be consistent in your messaging across all platforms, whether it’s your resume, social media, or networking events.
  
• Unique value proposition: Identify what sets you apart from others. Highlight your unique skills, experiences, and the value you bring to an organization.

Reflect, Reassess, and Reignite Your Career

A mid-year career audit is a powerful way to ensure you’re on the right track. By focusing on personal development, refining your career strategy, enhancing your leadership skills, drawing inspiration from pioneers like Marie Curie, and honing your personal brand, you can navigate the next phase of your career with confidence and clarity. Take this time to reflect on your journey, reassess your goals, and reignite your passion for your professional path.

Your future self will thank you.