New Year New You: Make plans, not resolutions; 4 tips for moms ready to relaunch their career

We're fortunate that this is a good time to be looking for a job - the economy is strong, unemployment is low and companies are in a hiring mood, says Katie Dunn, founder of the Back to Business Women's Conference.

Posted 1:16 a.m. Jan 17, 2018 — Updated 11:23 a.m. Jan 17, 2018

Katie Dunn

Editor's Note: Katie Dunn, founder of the Back to Business, a local group that helps women get back to work after taking a hiatus, shares these tips for women who hope to restart their career in 2018. This article originally appeared on the group's blog.

Back to Business has a lot planned for 2018 – and I hope you do too. My plan is to try new things to expand our reach and to go deeper with what we currently offer so we can help more women on their path back to work.

I put my plan for the year in an Excel file where I can see what I need to do on a monthly basis and can get to work immediately to realize my plans.

How about you? Did you make resolutions for 2018 – or are you going to make plans instead?

I encourage you to make plans rather than resolutions. Plans are more specific and they have a timeframe associated with them.

For example, instead of resolving to return to work in 2018, make a plan to have your resume done and a target company list developed by a certain date in the near future. Then plan to set aside one to two hours each day to reach out to connections at your target companies and set up informational interviews and networking calls.

Identifying the steps that will help you progress toward your goals is a good way to ensure that you will take action. Write your plan down – or put it in a spreadsheet so you can reference it often.

Break your plan down into daily or weekly steps so it’s manageable. Add these steps to your calendar and hold yourself accountable to meeting them. Or, better yet, share the plan with a friend who will hold you accountable.

Be sure to reward yourself when you meet milestones. Nothing major, but a walk in the park or some “me time” is a great way to pat yourself on the back!

Keep moving forward. When you get stuck, take one positive step forward, even if it’s a small step.

We’re fortunate that this is a good time to be looking for a job – the economy is strong, unemployment is low and companies are in a hiring mood. Additionally, companies have heard and understand the message that hiring people with a variety of backgrounds and perspectives is good for business.

This is your year to go get that job! Job searching requires focus, hard work and persistence. Having a community of women to support you and encourage you is a big asset in this process – so don’t be shy about reaching out to the Back to Business community as you progress in your job search. You can get involved in the Back to Business community by connecting with us on Facebook and LinkedIn and attending our events. We are here for you, and this support can be a huge asset.

Back to Business offers a support network and events all year, including an annual conference, to help professional women who are ready to relaunch their careers after taking a break to care for their families.

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