New Year, New Job, Same YOU
New Year, New Job, Same You
January can be a mixed bag, and not just weather-wise. We’re exhausted emotionally, physically, and financially from the holiday slog but also excited for a fresh start. January brings tax forms, a (short-lived?) return to the gym, and a shiny new year just waiting to be conquered in style.
If 2025 starts with a new job—or job hunt—it may come with a dollop of anxiety, especially if you’ve been out of the traditional workforce for a while. Whether a former freelancer, reconsidering retiree, or ex-stay-at-home parent, you’ll find that a few things have changed…but many have not. Here are a few tips and tricks to make the transition smooth.
WE WERE ON A BREAK!
People take a break from the Monday to Friday, 9 to 5 grind for all kinds of reasons. Caregiving for kids or parents used to be the norm. But today plenty of folks who dove headfirst into the freelance/gig economy quickly realized those waters were shark-infested and lacking the little things (like dental insurance and paid vacation).
If you’ve stayed current on industry trends and best practices during your time away, congrats! In your cover letter, explain how you juggled life AND keeping ahead of the curve. If you haven’t, consider taking a few online refreshers while you’re searching. Depending on the job, also look into doing a little freelance work or volunteering as a way to dip your toe back into things.
Be Your Own Badass Boss
When we’re told to plan for a rainy day, it’s usually in a financial sense (and yes, it’s very good advice). But sometimes life mixes things up and we need to switch from a 40-hour, in-office work week to something with more flexibility. However, this doesn’t mean your career path goes up in flames. When applying for new positions, sell it like it is. YOU’VE BEEN YOUR OWN BOSS and that’s pretty damned cool.
Being a freelancer who works from the dubious comfort of a dining room table isn’t a step backward or pause on your journey. You’re a badass executive who hustles 24/7. YOU find the leads, YOU provide a five-star service, and YOU keep ‘em coming back for more. Even if you’re not incorporated into an official company (long live the W-9), you’re still the CEO of your own business and that’s nothing to sneeze at. Sell it, and sell it hard in your application and cover letter. These are called bridge jobs and equate to zero—or shorter—breaks in your resume timeline which is a win/win.
Get Creative, Get Inspired, Get a Thesaurus
Changing careers altogether? Your previous life doesn’t go into witness protection while you start afresh as John Doe. Skills and training definitely overlap and that can be a boost. Just don’t outright fib to get your foot in the door, trust me.
There’s a difference between a job posting’s list of requirements and ‘our ideal candidate will have’ bullet points. Have a GED instead of a high school diploma, no problem. But saying you’re a qualified forklift driver because you mastered the bumper cars in Ocean Shores last summer….just no.
Reach out to someone in your new field and ask questions. Don’t know anyone? That’s what the internet is for! Do a little research, watch a few career-specific YouTube videos, and learn today’s lingo in that particular field. You’ll be surprised how much you’ve probably done before even under different names. If gamers can fly drones for the Army, you can _______ (insert cutting-edge relevant comparison here).
When a job listing calls for software expertise, download a free trial version and play with it. Lurk in a wacko-free online forum and learn by reading about everyone’s daily grind and gripes. Be respectful and non-creepy and you’ll soon find plenty of folks happy to answer questions or offer advice.
Don’t get stuck in a rut this new year. No one’s insisting you take the plunge, polar bear or otherwise, but why not take a peek at what jobs are out there? While you’re doing that, update your resume, polish your LinkedIn profile, and generally dust off your work persona.
If you really want to start fresh, contact a recruiter and let them do the heavy lifting, so to speak. Then splurge on a new outfit (at least from the waist up in this Zoom era) and charm yourself into a new job for 2025. And stick with the gym this year, it’s worth it.
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