How to use September as re-set for your HR career

September is often associated with the end of summer and the beginning of a new school year. It's a time when the leaves change colour, the weather cools down, and routines start to fall back into place. September can also be the perfect time to kickstart your HR career. Whether you're looking for a fresh start, a new job, or to enjoy work more, September offers a unique opportunity to make some changes. In this article, we will explore the reasons why September is an excellent time to revitalise your career and provide some practical tips for making the most of this fresh start.

1. Back-to-School Mentality

Even if you're not headed back to the classroom, September feels like a time of learning and growth, maybe old habits die hard! It can provide a chance to set new goals, acquire new skills, and seek fresh opportunities. Embrace this back-to-school mentality and consider it a chance to invest in your career development. You will always be busy but why not spend a little time on yourself and attend a workshop that you are interested in, or even pursue that course that you've been thinking about. In HR it is easy to spend time making sure everyone else has a development plan but are you keeping up to date with the latest trends? I was amazed to hear the impact of AI on HR, attending a CIPD session on this really opened my eyes. Learning new skills can make you more valuable in your current job or open doors to exciting new career prospects.

2. Reflection and Goal Setting

September provides an ideal moment for reflection. Take stock of your career journey so far, assessing your accomplishments, and identifying areas for improvement. It’s surprisingly helpful to make a list of all the things you have achieved, it’s amazing how much will be on there and how much you will have already forgotten about. ?What goals did you set at the beginning of the year? Have you achieved them, or do you need to change them to reflect your current situation? Use this time to refine your career objectives and create a plan to achieve them. Setting clear, actionable goals will give you a sense of purpose and direction in your professional life. It’s also good to think about how you measure success, it can be tricky in HR especially as you get more senior. Thinking up front can be helpful for when the inevitable days happen where you feel like you have been really busy and achieved nothing!

3. Networking Opportunities

September often marks the return of industry conferences, networking events, and professional gatherings after the summer lull. These events can be useful for career growth. Attend them with a clear strategy in mind: meet new people, reconnect with old contacts, and share your career aspirations. Building and nurturing your professional network can lead to unexpected opportunities and valuable insights. If I could tell one thing to my younger self it would be the value of networking. Only HR people really understand some of the challenges of being in HR and having other views and connections can be so helpful and keep you sane!

4. Job Market Comes Back to Life

For job seekers, September is an excellent time to search for new opportunities. We know this when we are recruiting ourselves but the same is true for HR roles. It has been really quiet for the people I work with who have been looking for new roles over the summer. Many companies ramp up their hiring efforts after the summer holiday season, making this a prime time to explore job openings. Update your CV, refresh your LinkedIn profile, and start networking with recruiters and potential employers. Think about the value you bring and the problems you solve so you can talk about them with confidence.

5.????? Work-Life Balance

September can also be a great time to reassess your work-life balance. The slower pace of summer may have allowed you to recharge, post-holiday is a good time to re-set boundaries.

What is working for you and what isn't. Make a list and see what comes up. It is simple but you can surprise yourself.

September is more than just a change in the calendar. It's an opportunity for you to reset and refocus on your career aspirations. Whether you're pursuing a new job, seeking career growth, or simply looking to enhance your skills, this month offers a fresh start. Embrace the back-to-school mentality, set clear goals, network actively, and seize the opportunities that arise as the job market picks up. With the right mindset a bit of planning, you can use September as a stepping stone to a successful and fulfilling career.

If you struggle to see your own value or need some help getting ready for the job market then get in touch for a no obligation chat about how I can help you, click here to book a call https://tidycal.com/jennie1/30-minute-meeting I would love to hear from you.

Happy September

Jennie