It can be a time of great celebration, especially if you are one of those lucky people who got an end-of-year performance bonus. Or it can be a time of gloom and doom.

So looking back, what has happened in 2007 to your career?

Have you enjoyed your job? Do you feel satisfied with your achievements? What has worked well? What could you have done better? Have you and your staff maximized your contribution to the organization?

Most of us have positive or negative feelings about our jobs at the end of the year. But few of us stop to really think about our jobs.

However, our careers are crucial. Looking forward to 2008, here are some key questions to be asking:

• Where are you in your career? Do you actually know? Is it still progressing? Has it reached a plateau? Is it going downhill?

• What do you want for 2008? To stay in the existing role but to change something, such as increasing responsibilities? To seek promotion internally? Or, perhaps, to seek new pastures?

• What do you need to change? Do you need to gain more experience, gain additional qualifications or training?

• What are your relationships with the people above you, your colleagues, and any people who work for you? Do you know how you are seen by these individuals and by the organization? Success depends a lot on our relationships with people.

Update your resume or CV in a way that it truly reflects what you may be able to offer employers in the future, so that you are ready apply for the right position. In my experience of more than 20 years of career and business consulting, I find that many people vastly underestimate what they have to offer. Review your interview skills and practice modern assessment techniques, such as competency-based interviewing.

Consider taking a personality test to find out more about yourself, your work preferences, strengths and development needs.

You should also start targeting potential job opportunities. Accept and embrace change -- it's part of life today. It is important to also review your progress regularly.

Remember that improving a career and securing job promotion needs just two vital ingredients -- time and effort.

Source: Western Mail. Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning. Powered by Yellowbrix.

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