The New Year Career Audit

In the professional world, the word "audit" often conjures images of financial statements and balance sheets. But what if we applied that same organised approach to our careers? Just like balancing financial books, carrying out a career audit lets you figure out what’s in the red, what’s in the black, and how to set yourself up for a more successful year to come.

To complete this exercise you'll need your work calendar from 2024, a notebook or digital page for writing notes, a calendar for 2025, and perhaps a tea/coffee!

Step 1: Collect Your Achievements

Just like a financial audit starts with gathering documents, your career audit begins by pulling together proof of your professional milestones from the past year. To jog your memory, take a quick scroll through your calendar—whether on your phone, laptop, or a trusty old planner—and remind yourself of what you achieved month by month.

Start by thinking about any feedback you got—did your team or manager tell you that you nailed a task, or did you get positive notes in a formal review? Next, list out key projects you worked on and what you personally contributed. Then, think about new skills, certifications, or training you completed. Finally, take a moment to review your network—did you meet new people or make connections that added value to your professional life?

This step is all about building a clear picture of where you’re at. And don’t forget: even the little wins matter, so give yourself credit where it’s due!

Step 2: What Needs Work? ("In the Red")

"In the red" is all about areas that need improvement. Use this step to pinpoint gaps or challenges:

• Unmet Goals: Think about the goals you didn’t hit. Was it down to external issues, or do you need to rethink how you approach them?
• Skill Gaps: Highlight any skills you planned to develop but didn’t quite get around to. Look into how you can close those gaps this year—online courses, workshops, or mentoring might be the way forward.
• Challenges Encountered: Be honest about the obstacles you faced. What could you do differently next time? What lessons can you take from these experiences?

This isn’t about beating yourself up—it’s about figuring out where you can grow and improve.

Step 3: What’s Gone Well? ("In the Black")

In accounting, "in the black" means you’re doing well. In your career, it’s your strengths and successes:

• Key Achievements: What were your standout wins from last year? Maybe it was completing a challenging project, hitting a big target, or getting recognised for your hard work.
• Skill Development: What new skills did you pick up? These could be technical, like mastering a new tool, or soft skills, like better communication or leadership abilities.
• Positive Feedback: Think about the good feedback you’ve received. How can you use those strengths to your advantage this year? If you’ve excelled in presentations or teamwork, for example, consider volunteering to lead a project or mentor a junior colleague.

By focusing on your wins, you can carry those strategies and habits into the year ahead.

Step 4: Plan Your 2025

Now that you know what’s working and what’s not, it’s time to map out a plan. You've likely heard of SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound) goals for the year ahead. Start with 4-5 larger goals that you'd like to achieve this year. Pull up your calendar for 2025 and begin splitting the big goals into into smaller, doable tasks with deadlines you can stick to.

The key to achieving these goals is not waiting until next January to check in. Plan for monthly or quarterly reviews to stay on track; productivity tools like Trello or Notion can help you organise everything and keep you accountable.

Taking these steps will help you stay focused and make real progress!

Step into the New Year with Confidence

A career audit is a great way to take control. By celebrating your wins and finding areas to improve, you’ll set focused goals and step into the new year ready to thrive. Take a little time now to reflect, plan, and take charge of your career.