Charlotte Grainger 
Make 2023 a success from the offset!
You've popped your poppers and gleefully sung "Auld Lang Syne" at the top of your lungs. Now, what? If you're hoping to start the new year with a new job, you'd better get moving. The month directly after Christmas can be difficult for the best of us. You've got to get over the hustle and bustle of seeing all your family and, possibly, travelling up and down the country. Add in the fact illness is rife, and the understandable stress that that brings, and you've hardly got a recipe for job search motivation.
So, how can you change the story? Fortunately enough, there are plenty of ways to beat that new year slump and move forward towards your goals. No matter where you currently are in your job hunt, we've got you covered. In this guide, we'll take a look at some of the best tips to help you motivate yourself and start looking for that all-important dream job.
1. Give yourself a fresh start
The new year is the perfect time for a fresh start. If 2023 had you down in the job-searching dumps, simply the act of telling yourself that this is a new chapter could make all the difference. Research from the Journal of Management Science suggests that this mindset shift can give you a new lease of energy. That sudden burst is just what you need when you're looking for a new position.
Take a moment to reflect on the past year and all that you gained and achieved. Next, when you've done that, tell yourself that it's time to close that chapter and start a new one. You might enjoy using a new goal-setting journal, finding a new app to track your progress, or just reminding yourself that this is your new start. Whatever hack you use to keep yourself looking towards the future, the only way is up now.
2. Start small (and keep going!)
Stuck in holiday mode? If you're crammed full of mince pies and still have a three-day hangover, you might not have the energy to jump headfirst into your job search. That's perfectly okay. This transition will take time. You shouldn't expect miracles overnight. Instead, set yourself small, manageable career goals and give yourself realistic timelines for each of them. Believe it or not, this could be simpler than you think.
Research published in the Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes journal suggests that reaching small, incremental goals feels easier than keeping the status quo. Put simply, your brain thrives on change - but only modest ones. Take the time to draft up a few ideas. If you're struggling to make each target easy to meet, consider whether you could do it in a couple of hours. Should the answer be no, you may be thinking too big. Go ahead and break things down into bite-sized chunks.
3. Get back into a good routine
Sleeping until midday, only to stumble downstairs for a cuppa and chatter. Yes, real life is put on hold over the holiday season. Those last two weeks of December might be something a blur. Let's call it the fortnight that time forgot. Fast-forward to today and keeping the same laid-back routine would be a real mistake - you need to change your ways and get your old routine back.
Spoiler: Having a solid day-to-day routine to keep calm could help you with your job search. For example, if you currently have a full-time role, you'll find that getting up early and having set "job hunting" times will help you to prioritise well. On the other hand, if you're currently between jobs, keeping a routine will mean that you stay on track. Sure, you might not have a boss breathing down your neck to get things done, but holding yourself accountable means that you're more likely to make progress. Simple.
4. Spruce up your LinkedIn profile
Do you use LinkedIn? The truth is that connections - even online connections - matter. A massive 85% of new job vacancies are filled through networking. One of the quickest ways you can broaden your professional community is by upping your game when it comes to LinkedIn. If you don't already have a profile, it's time to set one up ASAP. Of course, if you're already on the platform, there are plenty of ways that you can improve your profile and make more connections with professionals in your field.
When you've got a spare hour or two, spruce up your LinkedIn profile page. You might write a whole new summary, customise your LinkedIn URL, update your work and education sections, or even ask connections to endorse your skill set. Having a robust online presence when it comes to your professional life means that employers can easily find you. Additionally, you can use the platform to apply for new jobs, meet like-minded people, join communities based around your industry, and so much more.
5. Update your CV
You likely knew that this one was coming! When was the last time that you updated your CV? Before you can seriously start your new year job search, you need to make sure that this document is spick and span. Creating a CV that accurately shares your professional experience, education, and skill set is the name of the game. If you're not sure where to begin, it may help to take a look at some of our best CV examples. That way, you should get an idea of what HR managers and employers are looking for.
Aside from updating the relevant information and revamping your summary, it could be worth redesigning your CV too. Remember to avoid over-complicating things. You want to "wow" employers, not confuse them. If they glance at your CV and it's too busy, they might want to look away. Be sure to use plenty of white space, make the text a legible size and style, and keep the design as simple as possible.
6. Start looking for jobs online
Ready to find your dream role? When you've sorted out your LinkedIn profile and made-over your CV, nothing should hold you back. Your next port of call has to be the internet. Yes, there are plenty of places you can find jobs when you're on the lookout for a brand new challenge. Here are some examples of popular job search sites:
Of course, depending on your sector, you may find that there are field-specific websites where you can find roles. You can't - and nor should you - spend all day every day trawling through these pages. That in itself is not healthy. Instead, dedicate roughly an hour a day to looking for new openings. You might browse the job sites when you're having your morning coffee, for example, or check them before dinner.
Take the new year by storm!
This year could be your year. You've just got to be motivated enough to reach out and take it. January is always a quiet month, so why not use your time wisely? Kicking your job hunt into gear is the ideal way to start the new year. Now that you've got all the information that you need, what are you waiting for?
Ready to start your job search? Make sure that your CV hits the mark by getting a free CV review today!