The new year is a great time to reflect on your professional life and set goals for the future. If you’re looking to make 2024 your best year yet, there are a few practical steps that you can take to set yourself up for success.
1. Think about what you’d like to achieve
Firstly, consider your goals and write down short-term and long-term career aspirations. This could include achieving a promotion, getting a pay rise, or moving into a new niche within your practice area. Be specific and thoughtful about what you want to achieve.
2. Evaluate your current role
Next, evaluate your current role and consider how it is helping you to achieve your goals. Think about three ways in which your job could be improved to better align with your aspirations. Perhaps you could speak with your manager about your pay expectations, seek out a mentor, or look for a role with greater flexibility.
3. Benchmark your pay
Benchmarking your salary to ensure you are being paid fairly for your work is also important. You can request a copy of the latest salary guide for your practice area to help inform your discussions with your employer.
4. Boost your presence on LinkedIn
Cultivating a strong personal brand is also key to increasing your value as an employee, both within your current firm and in the wider market. Consider how you can develop your professional identity and make yourself more visible to potential employers.
Finally, don’t be afraid to seek out expert advice
At Realm, we offer free, 15-minute career consultations for legal professionals, regardless of whether or not you’re actively looking to move. Book a meeting with one of our careers specialists to discuss your goals, your salary expectations, and your future career prospects.
Or, check out our “Accelerating Your Legal Career” webinar series below, aimed to help legal professionals better understand the career pathways available to them so that they can have as rewarding a career as possible.
