Careers advice: Setting career goals for 2022

As the New Year begins, have you set any career goals for 2022? If you are looking to change role, sector or location, now might be a good time to ask yourself:

• What are your career highlights from 2021?
• What did the year give you in terms of skills development and career achievements?  
• What did 2021 teach you in terms of your values, and alignment to the work that you do in your personal and professional life?  
• What career goals are you going to set for 2022? Start by reflecting on what you want from your career now, including your values, motivations and ideal work environment. Review your skills and personal strengths and consider what career paths best use these.
• Is your LinkedIn profile up to date?
• Have you nurtured your network? Growing your WBS alumni and professional networks can give you fresh insights and open up new career avenues. Are there any key individuals with whom you would like to re-engage with in 2022, or could you get more involved in professional groups in your sector?
• How did you successfully overcome challenges over the last year?

2021 started with global uncertainty around the job market and hiring. Companies were more cautious about hiring and some graduate programmes were being cut or deferred. However, as 2021 progressed, our global economies surprised us with an increasing trend of job openings, our consulting sector started to boom, jobs were filled, and unemployment rates started to decline.  According to the Office for National Statistics, the UK’s unemployment rate in December 2021 was at the lowest for the year at 4.2%.

Don Leslie, a retired consultant and friend of WBS, included some tips for the consultancy sector in his year-end newsletter:

"There are many more consultancy opportunities being advertised now than a few months ago – hurrah - but competition for them is fierce. You can improve your chances of entering consultancy by looking for unadvertised roles as well. If you’ve heard me share my tips and tricks for uncovering the hidden jobs in consultancy, you’ll know that – amongst other things - I recommend looking out for signs that recruitment might be imminent. These include:

• Investment from a venture capital fund
• Mergers and acquisitions
• New offices
• New partners/directors
• New service lines."

If you are a member of the WBS alumni community and you need support with your career or professional development, have a look at our Career Management Module on my.wbs. Free for all alumni, the module aims to help you:

• Identify your personal values and motivators
• Consider and examine your strengths, skills and achievements
• Help you author your own Career Plan and identify opportunities
• Develop your personal brand
• Start making successful applications
• Understand how to succeed in a new career or role.

Alumni can also arrange a free consultation with our Alumni Careers Manager. Please contact alumnicareers@wbs.ac.uk to find out more.