| 1. Reflect on where you are currently. What is it you enjoy, or maybe don’t enjoy? What goals did you set for yourself last year? Have you achieved them, and if not why? This is a time to be honest with yourself, and something that will take time. Keep re-visiting the topic so you have a proper understanding of your position and how you feel; this will help make sure the move is the right one 2. Identify your Career Goals. Clearly defining your career goals is a crucial step in planning your progression. Consider what you want to achieve in the short term (1-2 years) and the long term (5-10 years). Understanding your aspirations will guide your actions and decisions. 3. Complete a skills audit. It’s easy to lose sight of your key skills, especially if you’ve been in a role for a long time. Take some time to make a list of your skills, this might take longer than you think, so doing this over the Christmas period might be beneficial as you’ll have more down time. Once you have a list, what are you excelling at and what might still need some work? This will help you tailor the next point! Growth and Development. 4. Developing your Skills or Training for new ones might be on your 2025 bingo card. Was there anything that jumped out at you when you completed your skills audit? This could be as simple as an online course or something more structured; whatever it is, upskilling is always advantageous. Looking beyond your existing skills, now might be the time to do some further training or education; there is a wealth of accessible resources available, so do your research and see what might be of interest. 5. Networking & Research. We spoke in a previous edition about the importance of networking, and this is a prime example! The Christmas break may not be the best time to reach out to anyone, but you can start a list and a plan for January. Building relationships is important at all stages of our professional lives, but never more so than when we are looking to move forward with our careers. Start looking online for companies that align with your values and reach out to their HR team about having a chat, or send them your CV. This may feel daunting, but the new year might be the new you! 6. Try New Things. If you have the opportunity, now is a great time to think about taking on different types of work. Try to be strategic as to what you say yes to and think back to that skills list you made earlier. Think of this as an opportunity to be exposed to different projects, colleagues, and tasks, all expanding your skillset and showing you are not afraid to learn and get stuck in. Exposure to new things may help with your bigger decisions about career steps too. 7. Finally, make sure your LinkedIn and Resume are up to date. Perhaps you can include some of the skills you noticed from the skills list or any recent upskilling you have completed. Even if there is an opportunity internally, you may still need to apply so start to prepare. Taking your next career step as an assistant requires a combination of self-assessment, goal-setting, skill development, and strategic networking. By understanding your strengths, identifying your career aspirations, and proactively seeking opportunities for growth, you can successfully navigate your career advancement. Remember, each step you take brings you closer to achieving your professional goals and unlocking new opportunities. Thinking about changing jobs or looking for your next role can be stressful, so it’s essential to take care of your physical and mental well-being during this time. Taking time off over the Christmas period is about replenishing and ‘filling your cup’, so whatever you’re thinking of doing next, make sure you start the new year rested. | 
