Amy Lindgren

We’re not too far into 2024, so it still feels timely to prepare for success in the new year. One way to do that is by clearing away the clutter from last year, to make room for what’s next.

This process isn’t limited to kitchen drawers! In job search, for example, even candidates who are managing their emotions well can feel negative impacts from the chaos this project produces. Just wading through endless emails, multiple résumé versions, and constant job board reminders can drain your enthusiasm, and that’s without jumping in on the process itself.

If this sounds too familiar, starting the new year with a clean(er) slate will help. Here are basic steps to get you started:

Retire outdated job search leads and files: You don’t need to toss outdated files if you’d rather not — in fact, some redundancy is usually better than too much clear-cutting. That said, the concept of clutter includes the mental processes involved in holding out hope for expired options. One solution is to create physical and digital files labeled “Back Burner” for leads that have momentarily hit a dead end. Out of sight, out of mind.

Clean up physical and electronic desktops: Once you’ve retired the expired options, you can see more clearly what you have to work with for the coming months. If you take time now to set up the remaining files for easiest access, you’ll be more nimble restarting your search. Cleaning your physical space and restocking depleted supplies will also help.

Clear out your email box: Consider making folders for key categories, such as: Newsletters and Job Postings, Review Weekly, Toss Later, and Official Business. If you move everything possible into those holding files, your inbox should be left with only two types of emails: personal correspondence, and things requiring immediate action. Well, that and a big ol’ pile of spam, but that’s a problem for another day.

Reduce future inbox clutter by diverting incoming emails into your preset folders. Most email programs let you set filters rerouting specified emails away from your inbox. That’s handy in the case of job board alerts, because you can read them when you’re ready instead of being interrupted by their arrival.

Adopt the filing habit on your computer or cloud storage as well. Avoid accumulating multiple documents with names like “Résumé 1” and “Résumé 2.” Instead, name documents clearly and create ample folders to contain them.

Don’t over-think this whole thing: While there are plenty of good books on the market for decluttering, the steps above will get you back on track. Nor do you need to hold each item in your hand and thank it for its service before tossing it, as one popular author used to advocate. In fact, don’t toss a thing — just put it all in a box or a digital file labeled “Toss after first paycheck clears.” Talk about cathartic cleaning.

Now that you’ve reduced some of the clutter, you can focus on building success in the new year. Here are five steps to help you restart your search:

• 1. Create a job search regimen where each session begins with a clear goal (email three contacts, for example), and ends with a to-do list for the next session. Establishing specific tasks that can be completed helps insure against mindless wandering through websites and job boards.

• 2. Schedule concrete steps for the month. To give your plan more energy and urgency, set at least one appointment for each week of the month. These can be for networking, meeting with a job search strategist, attending a workshop, or any other scheduled activity related to job search.

• 3. Update your LinkedIn profile and résumé. If you’ve been putting this off, now is the time to ensure these tools are ready when you need them.

• 4. Send cards and emails to networking contacts. You’ve worked hard to make contacts throughout your job search, so don’t let them fade away. The new year is a great time to reach out with a simple message like “I appreciated our connections last year; let’s stay in touch.”

• 5. Count your blessings. Of course that’s a cliché. But it’s also an important process for reviewing what went well in your career or search over the past year. Entering 2024 with a sense of hope and optimism is a gift you give yourself, and it starts with recognizing the positive in the year that just ended.

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Amy Lindgren owns a career consulting firm in St. Paul. She can be reached at alindgren@prototypecareerservice.com.