If the onset of warmer weather inspires you to tackle home maintenance projects, don’t forget important long-term career maintenance. Here are seven tips from recruiters and HR experts to spring clean your career:
1. Rekindle Your Networking Connections
“Spring cleaning isn’t just for closets—it’s for your professional network too. Take time to audit your LinkedIn connections, reconnect with key contacts, and refresh your profile to reflect who you are now, not who you were several years ago. The most valuable opportunities often come from meaningful connections, not cold applications.” – Stefan Schneider, Director, Oakleaf Partnership
The networking habits you start in the spring can continue all year long by setting calendar reminders now.
“Organized networking is about consistency. Set reminders to check in with key contacts every few months, even when you’re not actively job searching.” – Sarah Samarasinghe, Talent Lead, Sander Search
2. Update Your Marketing Materials
“Success favors the prepared—keep your resume ready before opportunity knocks! Managing your career isn’t a last-minute task to tackle only when you’re job hunting. Make it a habit to update your resume and LinkedIn profile at least once a year. Review your title and responsibilities, ensure your location is accurate, and add any new connections you may have overlooked. Take the time to share your updated details with headhunters you’ve been in touch with. By staying proactive, you’ll attract more relevant opportunities and be prepared should the need for a career change arise.” – Xavier Roux, Partner, Redseeds Recruiting Partners
Even if you’re not currently looking for a job, have an updated resume ready to share.
“Regardless of whether or not you are actively searching for a new role, ensuring that your resume is up to date prepares you for when a recruiter reaches out with the perfect opportunity.” — Lesley Shorr Klein, Managing Partner, Miller Klein Group
3. Create A System To Keep Your Job Search Organized
“Spring is an excellent time to explore the job market, as there’s often a good amount of movement with people receiving bonuses and making transitions, which opens up new opportunities. If you’re actively searching, create a spreadsheet to track the companies and people you’re in contact with to stay organized. This helps you avoid submitting your resume twice, especially if a recruiter is involved, as double submissions can reflect poorly..” — Erica White, Executive Director, Frazer Jones
4. Troubleshoot Your Job Search Strategy
“When looking for a new job, approach it like a business goal — keep it focused and purposeful. Take time to determine your strongest skills sets that market you best for your next gig. Be realistic, be a stringent self-editor. Focus on who you know to get introductions to hiring executives. Make a scrubbed list of companies that you would like to work for and see who works there or who is connected to an executive there…TAP THEM for a telephone meeting. Have fun doing this or you are going in the wrong job direction. A positive mindset is a charismatic quality that will make you stand out.” — Bucky Keady, Executive Search, Talent Management & Coaching
Taking time for introspection and “self-editing” is key to ensuring you’re going down the right career path for you – and not just doing what you think you should.
“All too often, I find that the executives I am coaching feel constrained by their own ideas or teachings about what an effective leader “ought” to look like and “should” be like. Like them, you may be inadvertently holding yourself back. I encourage you to break loose from your thought restrictions and reframe your expectations about your paths to leadership success. Spring is a great time to dust off your Don’ts and turn them into Dos: Revisit the times you have denied yourself an opportunity to upgrade your skillsets or seek a career-expanding opportunity. Do it now! You may have decided not to reach out to a contact in your network or to someone in your workplace because you don’t feel “ready.” Reach out now anyway! Your timing does not need to be perfect before you can make your move. Stop telling yourself that you should “wait.” Take a big, bold step now!” — Rhonda Joy McLean, President and CEO, RJMLEADS LLC (executive coaching)
5. Pay Attention To Growth Areas
One way to identify growth areas is to see where companies are deploying their people resources and what skills they are hiring for (e.g., AI).
“Companies today are increasingly prioritizing HR professionals who can think both strategically and tactically. HR leaders we work with are consistently seeking out employees who have a demonstrated history of adapting to change – particularly if they can show how they’re already integrating AI into their work. HR professionals can stand out by showing that they can harness data to boost their ability to offer creative solutions.” — Jaime Klein, CEO and Founder, Inspire HR (HR consulting)
6. Take Time To Recharge
“Fire Departments advise us to check the batteries in our smoke/carbon monoxide detectors when the time changes and we “spring forward.” Do the same and check your “career” batteries. Are you taking advantage of the resources available to you? How are you handling stress? What self-care measures are you taking? Who can help you?” — Rhonda Joy McLean, President and CEO, RJMLEADS LLC (executive coaching)
7. Manage Your Money To Manage Your Career
Keeping your finances in order gives your career a strong foundation. You have runway to wait for the ideal next job and not just settle for what’s available. You have leverage in negotiations, knowing that you can walk away and not just settle for the first offer. You have money to invest in a business, career change or leadership development to advance your career.
“Take a few minutes to review your beneficiary designations on life insurance policies, retirement accounts, and investment plans. Life changes—like marriage, divorce, or new additions to the family—may mean your beneficiaries need an update. A quick check now can prevent major headaches later.” — Jason E. Cueva, SVP, Primerica Financial Services (personal finance)