10 questions you should ask yourself after one year on the job

Most people will tell you to look ahead and not to focus on what’s behind you. What’s in the past is in the past. Although that is true for most things, it doesn’t hurt to look into your rear-view mirror every once in a while. Not to get nostalgic or go over all your shoulds and should nots. No, it’s healthy to look back at where you first started because it will remind you how far you’ve come, how much you’ve grown and most importantly, where you’re heading. Where are you heading? After one year on the job, it’s time for a Q&A with yourself!

This is how we at Exellys go about our consultants

At Exellys, we like to keep the finger on the pulse. We don’t wait until a year has passed, our Talent Development Managers check in with their consultants every three months to make sure everything goes according to plan. Why? Because people grow and plans change. It’s a simple as that and we even encourage it! The Talent Development Managers go over a list of specific questions with each consultant based on their trajectory within the Start or Grow Smart Programmes together with his or her personal situation and growth.

Everyone has a different story and we all walk a different path but these are some key questions that will help you to set the course for your next career step.

Key questions to get you started

We divided this personal Q&A into two categories: the first being questions you should ask yourself looking back on your first year on the job. The second set of questions concerns where you want to take your career in the near future. Some of these questions might be no-brainers, others you will struggle with. We cannot stress enough how important it is to answer these questions honestly. It won’t get you anywhere if you don’t!

When looking back on your first year, make sure to ask yourself:

• In what ways have I grown?
• What aspects about my job did I particularly enjoy?
• What aspects about my employer did I like?
• Which areas need improvement?
  • What can I improve for myself?
  • What can I improve within the company?
  • Which of the above has priority and why?
• What have I achieved/ what am I proud of?
• What hurdles did I come across?

When looking ahead, make sure to ask yourself:

• What am I looking forward to?
• What area(s) do I want to grow into even further?
• Which personal goals would I like to achieve?
  • What do I need in order to be able to achieve them?
  • Are my professional goals in sync with my personal plans?
• What don’t I want to do anymore?
  • How can this be solved?
  • Who can help me?

Take your time, write elaborate replies or use bullet points. Whatever works best for you to put your first year in perspective through retrospect. Trust us, it will help you see your future path more clearly and this exercise will make it easier for you to make the right choices to get you where you want to be. Start today and you’ll be one step closer to tomorrow. 😉 Are you just starting to work? Set a reminder in your calendar 10 months from now. You’ll notice these questions might come in handy!

Good luck Chuck

Look, going through these questions and trying to answer them might be overwhelming. But there is no need to panic. It’s quite alright not to know where you are going as long as you’re moving forward. You’re a young professional and it’s only natural that you have to get to know your professional self. We just want you to know that you can come to us if you need guidance. Our Talent Development Managers are absolute pros at what they do and they will, without a shadow of a doubt, surprise you how good they are at reading people and spotting talent.

Curious about what they have to say about you? Ready to take your career to the next level?

Check out what we stand for and get in touch with us. We’re always on the lookout for fresh tech talent!