Get Your Career in Shape in 2010

Probably the two most common New Year's resolutions people make are to lose weight and to find a new job. It's interesting how many parallels there are to losing weight and searching for a new job. Both require patience and discipline and in both situations it is common to have setbacks and feel defeated and anxious. People who take care of themselves by watching their diet and exercising usually have a fitness plan. Doesn't it make sense to have a fitness plan for your career? Here are a few ideas to get you started.

1. No pain no gain. A good exercise program forces you to push yourself to challenge all your muscles including your heart. Strength and cardio gains are achieved by pushing past your comfort zone and working muscles in different ways. Job seekers often need to push past their comfort zone in order to create visibility for their candidacy and meet the right decision makers. They often need to put themselves in new professional and social circles, even if it makes them a bit uncomfortable.


2. Work it every day. You can't follow your diet for three consecutive days and then spend the next four at the "all you can eat" buffet and expect to lose weight. And in job search, you can't attend a professional networking meeting once a quarter or only reconnect with friends and colleagues at Christmas time and expect to move your relationships forward. Consistency in weight loss and networking, is key.


3. There is no quick fix. We've all heard about the magic diet pills and shakes that promise we will lose ten pounds in two days.We want so badly to believe this will work, but deep down we know it cannot. Many job seekers troll the job boards searching for that special position that has their name written all over it. The one where the employer will say "At last, I've found the perfect candidate" and we will have a few quick interviews and land the job. But it rarely works that way and deep down we know that. Most people find their jobs through people they know and relationships they have developed over time. It doesn't happen overnight.


4. Don't go it alone. One of the reasons why Weight Watchers is so successful is that it leverages the concept of community to keep dieters accountable and supported. Job search can be a lonely place. By joining a support group or leads network or working with a career coach, you increase your accountability and in turn increase the likelihood of landing faster.


5. You control your destiny. When we diet it is so easy to blame external influences for our lack of progress. If you don't go running one day, it's easy to blame it on the bad weather...indulged too much last week...blame it on the excess of food served during the winter holiday season. But people make choices every day about how they take care of their bodies and how they take care of their careers. Sure, it's easy to blame your stagnant job search on a bad economy...it's harder to take responsibility for your own career destiny.

If you are making a New Year's resolution to find a new job in 2010, create a career fitness plan. Set goals, monitor your progress, create accountability, and celebrate your successes. Here's to a career fit 2010!

Barbara Safani is the owner of Career Solvers and author of Happy About My Resume: 50 Tips For Building a Better Document to Secure a Brighter Future and #JOBSEARCHtweet.