New Year, New Career

New Year, New Career

As the new year begins, many people are looking for change in themselves or their lives. New Year’s Resolutions create a psychological fresh start. According to Glassdoor, January is the most popular month to start a new career, with 18% of workers looking to make a change. Once the Christmas and New Year season is over, the prospect of a new year ahead tends to give people hope and motivation to change.

You may have been considering a change for a while but have been too afraid to take the plunge, or you might be trying to grow your career. No matter the reason, January is a great time to revisit what you do for a living. Here are a few tips to help you prepare to pursue a new career in 2026. 

New Reflection

A bad day at work. A coworker eats your lunch. Your boss lectures you. You wake up in the morning, dreading the day ahead. Have you been there? When we experience these moments at work, two things can happen: we disengage and lower our performance, or we start looking for another job or career altogether. Our emotions lead these results and are reactive, not thoughtful. No matter which outcome you find yourself in, it is important to pause and reflect on your job and the situation you are in. 

Neither option is great, so before you damage your reputation by lowering your work ethic or quitting flippantly, it is essential to reflect on your current and past career experience. Take at least a week to meditate and pray about your job. As God reveals things to you in prayer, write them down in a journal or on your phone; some place you can easily come back to later on. Over the course of a few weeks, see what you have written down and what has been revealed to you. In addition to reflection, you should consult a trusted mentor or friend for input. This could be a pastor, teacher, therapist, etc. After a few weeks or so of taking these steps, you should feel ready to decide your next career move. 

New Approach

Maybe you were looking for a job in 2025 and your search got stale and stagnant, and you got frustrated. Job searching toward the end of the calendar year can present different challenges as hiring managers go on vacation and some organizations shut down for a week or two. The new year is an excellent opportunity to revisit your job search with a new perspective and approach. 

Here are a few ways you can change how you are approaching your search. 

Search for the Organization.  Look for the organization you want to work for rather than the job. Use tools like LinkedIn to help you research the organization and the people who work there. Now you might be thinking, but it doesn’t matter where I work, I just need a job. That is understandable; however, if you don’t take the time to find a workplace that is a good fit for you, then you will find yourself miserable and right back in this same place. 

Be Intentional. I can’t tell you how many times I have heard “I have been applying to X number of jobs a day, and I just don’t understand what I am doing wrong.” Focusing on the number of jobs applied for as if it were a math equation is what is wrong with this strategy. It never works. Instead, make your goal to apply for one job a day as if it were the only job you want. Research the company, the people, tailor your resume, and write a compelling cover letter. Slow down, read the job description through several times, and apply with intention. You will find that you will produce a better application, which, in turn, will yield better results. Think quality over quantity. 

New Relationships

Now that you have shifted your job search and application approach, it is vital to tap into the power of relationships. According to LinkedIn, 75-80% of jobs are found through the “hidden job market.” This “hidden job market” is found through networking, or, as I like to refer to it, relationship building. Many job seekers I have worked with in the past don’t want to hear this. Why? Because it is too hard to put yourself out there. It is easier for people to sit at home and passively apply from their computer. 

Informational Interviewing. If you want to get better results in your job search, you need to reach out to people doing the work you want to do or working where you want to work and speak with them about their experience. You are not reaching out to people with a hand outstretched, asking for a job; instead, you are asking them how they did it. You are interviewing them and having a conversation about their experience. Conducting an informational interview helps you learn from someone in the field you want to work in or explore an organization you want to work for. The other benefit is that the person you interview will get to know you. Typically, they leave the session excited to help you reach your goal. God created us to serve and help others, and this natural desire to help makes this process work. This is evident in scripture, “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them” Ephesians 2:10. I have seen informational interviews turn into references, internal referrals, mentorship opportunities, and job offers. 

Make a List. Get started by making a list of everyone you know. Where do they work? Who do they know? What do they do? Are any of these folks good potential connections to make? Do they know others that you could do an informational interview with? These are all great questions to ask as you brainstorm and think through your connections. Again, LinkedIn can be a great place to start. Family, friends, and your church community can also be great places to connect with others. The outcome will ultimately lead to a job; however, you will leave these interactions motivated, informed, connected, and encouraged. You have nothing to lose!

New Prayer

It is important to pray in all things, even your job search. God already knows what job you are going to get and how you will get there. Through prayer, He will reveal His plans to us if we will diligently seek Him. The Bible says in Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.” We do not have to embark on this journey alone; God is there with us to help us make decisions, connect with people, and comfort us in our frustrations. Consider a new prayer, a prayer for God’s will, and for open doors. 

God’s word tells us of new things to come, “Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert” Isaiah 43:19. He will make a way even when there seems to be no way. May this scripture encourage and guide you as you embark on the new year.  

As you look to new beginnings this year, seek God above all else. Reflect, try a new approach, and build new relationships. You will find new results when you take this path.