Dear Reader: What can you do now before you hit the ground running for your job search?

If you’ve decided to postpone your job search until the calendar flips to January, that’s completely understandable. You can remain present during the holidays with family and friends and then focus entirely on your job search in a couple of weeks.

That said, there are a few simple things to do today to get mentally prepared prior to tactical tasks such as updating your resume and launching a job search in 2026. You can ask yourself questions such as, “What exactly am I looking for in my next role? What do I need to avoid? What makes my heart sing? Where do I want to be two years, five, even 10 years from now? Why do I want to leave my current job? Why do I want to look now?”

John Madigan, president and CEO, Executive Talent Services, said, “Asking these and other questions and taking time to reflect helps avoid the situation I’ve seen before of the person landing in a more toxic environment than the one they left. No new employer you are considering will say they love to micromanage people and growth opportunities are limited. However, both could actually be true.

“It’s often important not to jump at the first opportunity that comes along, make sure potential opportunities match your selection criteria. Also, reflecting on and defining the next move (e.g., types of jobs, target employers, preferred locations, etc.) makes it easier to communicate with networking contacts who, in turn, are better able to help you and steer you in a positive way.”

Take some time, even 30 minutes, to find a quiet spot to turn off your devices and jot down some notes during introspection. There’s power in putting pen to paper or even typing into the notes section of your phone. In a quest for clarity, you can also revisit your thoughts during the job search to make sure you’re still on track.

Michelle Reisdorf, district director at Robert Half, said, “Whether it’s a few quick bullet points on priorities or a more detailed career map, having something tangible can provide direction during the job search. It can be something to revisit when making career decisions and serves as a guide to finding a role that aligns with expectations and goals.”

Taking it one step further, dive deeper into what you want most. “Make a list of your priorities and weigh how important each item is to you. Some common priorities are salary, equity or ‘skin in the game’, work-life balance, risk profile/growth stage of the company (startup v Fortune 500), job stability, upward mobility, in office or work-from-home, mentorship, and many more. You are basically creating a rubric to compare opportunities,” said Susan Weil, co-CEO of Weil & Wein, a global career advisory firm.

Keep in mind, striving for clarity isn’t a one-and-done situation. Yes, it can definitely help you approach your job search with a clear mind, but you can revisit your list and tweak it accordingly.

Tribune News Service