In today’s fast-paced workplace, continuous learning and adaptation are essential for staying competitive — and marketable. That’s why setting New Year’s resolutions focused on your career development and growth, instead of just personal goals like starting a workout routine or spending more time on a hobby, can be a smart investment in your future.
Let’s look at a few signs that indicate you may want to add a career-focused resolution or two (or perhaps even more!) to your list of goals for 2025. We also offer ideas for how you might structure and follow through on these commitments, if you choose to make them.
Every new day at work feels like a repeat of the last. You can do your job almost without thinking. And while being good in your role is great, staying too comfortable can slow down your career growth.
New Year’s career resolution: Volunteer to take on something new.
Step out of your comfort zone and push yourself. Don’t wait for your manager to hand you a stretch assignment — ask for one. It could mean leading a new project, mentoring junior team members or collaborating with another department on a cross-functional initiative.
Schedule regular check-ins with your manager to share your progress and discuss further possibilities.
If you've gone months without picking up new skills, you're not standing still — you're falling behind. This can make future moves up the ladder more difficult.
New Year’s career resolution: Jump-start new learning.
Sit down with your boss and map out a personalized career development plan. Everyone learns differently, so consider what works best for you. Maybe you prefer formal options like earning certifications or e-learning, or perhaps you’d prefer a mentorship or job shadowing opportunity.
To stay on track, block out dedicated time for skills development and keep a record of your progress.
If you’re working hard but not seeing much extra in return, it might be a sign you’ve stayed in the same job too long.
Missing out on promotions or opportunities can undermine your confidence in your skills and make asking for a raise feel unrealistic. But the longer you go without a meaningful increase in compensation, the more likely it is that you’re being underpaid.
New Year’s career resolution: Do your research, then decide on your best next move.
Check out the 2025 Salary Guide From Robert Half to see what people in your role typically earn as a starting salary, depending on their skills and experience. If you’re at the lower end of the scale, it might be time to explore new job opportunities — or at least, consider negotiating a pay raise with your employer.
You can also use Robert Half’s Salary Calculator to get a sense of what average starting salaries look like in your geographic area.
Constant tension with your manager is frustrating — and it can be a roadblock for your career development, too. If you’re often at odds with their decisions or you feel undervalued, then something needs to change.
New Year’s career resolution: Try to build a bridge; if you can’t, then seek a new professional path.
You can’t fire your boss. So, if you want to stay in your current position, focus on improving the relationship. Look for ways to collaborate and communicate more effectively.
If bridge-building is not realistic, looking for a new job could be your best option. Over the long term, putting up with an uncomfortable and unfixable situation is not worth the stress and aggravation.
Stay professional and productive while looking for your next opportunity. If you love where your work, find out if there are options to make a lateral move into another part of the organization.
If you are a capable employee who delivers good results and can be relied upon to do so without fail, your employer might start taking you for granted. Your workload may gradually creep up over time, along with your risk of burnout.
New Year’s career resolution: Make work-life balance a higher priority.
First, if you are feeling overworked, make this clear to your boss and discuss strategies for easing your workload a bit. Also, make a point to take advantage of mental health resources and flexible work options that your employer may offer.
If your company does not provide these types of perks and benefits for employees, it might be time to ask about the potential for implementing them — or find an employer that already has.
When your company’s performance dips and layoffs seem likely, it’s tempting to keep your head down and hope for the best. But that’s a risky move. Beyond the threat of job loss, staying in a declining organization can stall your growth and leave you scrambling if things get worse.
New Year’s career resolution: Ready yourself for change, then drive it.
Start by doing your homework. Is it just your company that’s struggling, or is the whole industry in trouble? If it’s the former, consider reaching out to one of your company’s more successful competitors. If the entire sector is sinking, it might be time to think about reskilling and transitioning to a new field.
The good news is that transferable skills are more valuable than ever. AI tools are lowering the technical barriers to entry in many industries, creating demand for candidates with AI experience and emotional intelligence, critical thinking and other soft skills that complement technical expertise. Take this opportunity to position yourself for a stronger future.
Get tips for using generative AI in your job search.
Getting approached by a talent solutions firm isn’t just flattering — it’s valuable market intelligence. If you’re on their radar, it signals that your skills and experience are in demand, and you might be undervaluing yourself in your current role.
New Year’s career resolution: Forge a relationship with a professional recruiter.
Working with a recruiter to find a new job can give you insider knowledge about salary trends, in-demand skills, and companies that are growing and in need of skilled talent.
Talk to your recruiter about your career goals. Reputable staffing specialists want to help you find a position in an organization you are likely to thrive in.
When a company seeks you out through a staffing agency, you’re in a strong position. They’re often willing to offer premium compensation to their preferred candidate, and your recruiter can negotiate salary and benefits on your behalf.
While you can get a lot of help, it’s ultimately up to you to make the most of your professional life.
If you love your job, have great relationships with your colleagues and feel connected to your organization’s mission, it’s easy to stay in the same role indefinitely. But staying in one place for too long can leave you feeling stagnant. You might also miss out on career advancement possibilities and fall short of your potential.
Being open to new opportunities can keep you motivated and engaged, no matter where you are in your career. So, if you are experiencing professional inertia, resolve to change it this year. The only thing standing between you and a new path forward is you!
If your aim is to find a new job in the new year, set yourself up for success by reviewing these seven goals for job seekers.
