Spring is a time for renewal, and just as you might de-clutter your home, it’s also the perfect season to refresh and re-evaluate your career. For finance employees and job seekers, spring cleaning your career can be an opportunity to reassess goals, eliminate stagnant habits, and re-align yourself with the changing dynamics of the industry. The finance sector is constantly evolving, and staying ahead requires proactive adjustments to your professional life.

Here’s how to effectively spring clean your career in finance:

1. Assess Your Career Goals and Progress

Start by taking stock of where you are in your career. Reflect on the goals you set for yourself at the beginning of the year or even over the past few years. Are you on track? Have your goals changed?

For finance employees, this is the time to evaluate if you’re meeting your professional objectives, such as skill development, leadership progress, or reaching certain financial milestones. For job seekers, it’s a moment to reassess your aspirations, such as the type of company you want to work for or the role you aim to land.

Take a few moments to write down your goals for the next quarter or year. This act of reflection will help you re-focus your energy and efforts toward what truly matters for your long-term career growth.

2. Update Your Resume and LinkedIn Profile

Just like you’d tidy up your physical space, it’s essential to refresh your professional portfolio. Your resume and LinkedIn profile should always reflect your most recent achievements, skills, and career shifts.

For finance professionals, this means updating any new certifications, courses, or accomplishments. Have you recently completed a CFA exam? Taken a leadership role in a project? Make sure that’s reflected. Your LinkedIn should mirror this updated resume and include your latest accomplishments, even if they’re small wins. An optimized LinkedIn profile also enhances your chances of being discovered by recruiters looking for professionals in your area of expertise.

3. Revisit Your Skills and Knowledge

The finance industry is fast-paced and constantly evolving, with new tools, regulations, and market conditions emerging regularly. It’s important to continuously develop and sharpen your skills.

Spring cleaning your career means identifying areas where you may need additional training or knowledge. Is there a new financial technology (fintech) tool you should familiarize yourself with? Do you need to brush up on new regulations or trends like ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) investing?

Consider enrolling in relevant online courses, webinars, or certification programs. This investment in yourself will not only keep you competitive but will also make you more appealing to potential employers.

4. Clean Up Your Professional Network

Just as you might clean out old clothes, it’s time to evaluate your professional network. Take a look at your LinkedIn connections, email contacts, and even past colleagues. Are there relationships you should nurture? Are there connections that have become irrelevant to your career path?

Reach out to mentors, industry peers, or former colleagues you haven’t spoken to in a while. A simple check-in can revive a valuable connection. On the other hand, don’t be afraid to remove contacts that no longer align with your professional goals. In the finance industry, it’s crucial to have a network that supports your current career trajectory, so focus on quality over quantity.

5. Declutter Your Digital Space

With much of the finance industry operating in digital spaces, it’s important to spring clean your digital life. Start by organizing your email inbox, deleting unnecessary emails, and sorting important documents into manageable folders. A cluttered inbox can be overwhelming and often leads to missed opportunities.

If you haven’t already, consider organizing your digital workspace to increase efficiency. Use tools like Google Drive, OneDrive, or project management apps to keep track of important files and data. Decluttering your digital space will help you stay organized, streamline your workflow, and increase productivity.

6. Re-evaluate Your Work-Life Balance

Spring cleaning isn’t just about professional growth; it’s also about personal well-being. The demanding nature of the finance sector often leads to burnout. It’s important to assess your work-life balance and make adjustments as needed.

If you’ve been working long hours and neglecting personal time, it’s time to re-prioritize. Make time for activities that recharge you—whether it’s exercise, spending time with family, or pursuing a hobby. Balance is essential for long-term success, and taking care of your mental health will make you more productive and fulfilled in your work.

7. Purge Negative or Unnecessary Career Habits

Identify any negative career habits that are holding you back. Are you procrastinating on important tasks? Do you struggle with delegation? Are you staying in your comfort zone and avoiding new challenges?

Spring cleaning your career means confronting these habits head-on. Make a conscious effort to eliminate unproductive tendencies. For example, commit to prioritizing tasks and setting clear goals for each day. Push yourself out of your comfort zone by taking on new challenges or stepping into leadership roles. Even small changes can have a profound impact on your career trajectory.

8. Reassess Your Job Search Strategy (For Job Seekers)

If you’re in the job market, spring cleaning your career involves reassessing your job search strategy. If your search has been stagnant, you may need to change your approach.

Consider broadening your search to include different finance roles, firms, or industries that align with your skills and interests. Update your cover letter template to better reflect the specific job you’re targeting, and make sure each application is personalized. Take a closer look at your job-search habits: Are you relying solely on online applications, or are you actively networking and attending industry events?

Updating your job search strategy can make all the difference in landing the right opportunity.

9. Set New Professional Goals for the Coming Months

After a thorough evaluation, it’s time to set clear, actionable goals for the next few months. These goals should be SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound). For example, you might aim to complete a specific finance certification, improve your leadership skills, or secure a certain number of client accounts.

Having specific goals in place gives you direction and focus as you move through the rest of the year. Make sure to review and adjust these goals regularly, as they can evolve as your career progresses.

Spring cleaning your career is an essential part of maintaining momentum in the finance industry. By reassessing your goals, updating your resume and network, embracing new skills, and evaluating your work-life balance, you can ensure you’re positioned for success in the months ahead.

Taking the time to refresh your career now will not only help you stay competitive but will also provide you with the clarity and confidence to tackle new opportunities and challenges as they arise. Make this spring the season of professional growth and renewal!