How To Spring Clean Your Career

Spring is the time of year when we naturally think about clearing out clutter and organizing our homes. This same concept can also be used for your career. Get ready to clear out clutter on your resume and organize your office and wardrobe.

Spring is perfect for a career deep clean

Spring cleaning your career will leave you feeling more productive, less stressed and ready for the next opportunity. So, how do you spring clean your career?

Start with your resume

Your resume is typically the first impression a potential employer has of you. That’s why it’s a good idea to go through and update it at least once a year. As we gain experience, acquire new skills, or increase our education, it is important to keep our resumes current. Even if you’re not currently looking for a new position, you never know when an opportunity may present itself. Making updates on a regular basis also keeps us from forgetting to include important items later. In this way, we are always ready for the next step in our professional life.

Clean out your closet

Spring cleaning your wardrobe refreshes your look and elevates your confidence. The key to updating your wardrobe is to start with a plan. Maybe you only need to update a couple of pieces or possibly you need a whole new look. Either way, start by going through everything in your closet and get rid of anything that no longer fits, is worn out or hasn’t been worn in the past year. Once you have decluttered your wardrobe, organize what you have left. At this point, you can start to assess what you have and identify what you may need. When buying new clothing, be sure to invest in key pieces that you might be missing. This could be anything from a tailored blazer to work apparel in basic colors. Invest in timeless, well-made pieces that will last.

Brush up on basics

Brushing up on your interview skills this spring can improve your chances of landing a new job. Interviews can be extremely stressful. One way to alleviate some of that stress is to focus on some basic interview skills. First, practice some interview questions with a friend. When doing so, take the time to answer slowly and concisely. Resist the impulse to speak quickly. Second, remember to listen carefully to what the interviewer is saying. We tend to miss important information when we anxiously anticipate the next question. And, third, consider what questions you might ask in an interview. Questions about how the job will challenge you and fuel your growth within the company. By practicing these skills, you will be more at ease and better prepared for job opportunities inside and outside of your organization.

Organize your office

Keeping an organized office space is important whether you work in a traditional office setting or from home. It will help you work more effectively and efficiently. Spring is the perfect time to clean up your act! Start by filing away all paperwork that has piled up on your desk. Sort through important documents and discard items that you don’t need anymore. Organize any supplies you might have out such as reams of paper, boxes of pens, etc. When you can see the bottom of your desk, grab some cleaner and wipe it down. Be sure to include your desk accessories, monitors and keyboards.

Get your digital life in order

Don’t neglect a springtime spruce up that starts with your inbox, desktop, and digital files. Go through emails and file or delete them. Clean up old files and back up important documents to an external hard drive. It’s also a good idea to check your online profile. Potential employers will do a Google search on you before they hire you. Google your own name to get a clear picture of what shows up for you. Take the time to request that any sensitive information, home address and phone number, be removed from websites. Deactivate accounts that you no longer use and check your social media sites for posts or photos that may negatively impact you.

Give it some thought

Take some time to reflect on your career. Are you happy in your current position? Is there something that is troubling you or that you would like to change? By taking the time to identify what is working and what is not, you can put energy into making changes and strategizing on next steps. If you are thinking about making a career change, this is a good time to set up goals that you can turn into action items.

Embrace the clean

The time and effort you put forth focusing on your career is vital. When you invest in yourself you set yourself up for success. And, a good refresh of your career will leave you feeling less stressed and more productive. So, spend a little time this spring sprucing up your resume, decluttering your desk or revamping your wardrobe. Each small step can have a big impact on your mood and productivity.

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Photo courtesy Pixabay/geralt