The final stretch of the year always sneaks up on us. One minute we are soaking up late summer sunshine, and the next we are staring down the last three months of the calendar, wondering how the year flew by.
Here is the good news: you do not have to wait until January to make changes or set fresh goals. The weeks leading up to the new year are the perfect time to refocus, reset, and put small steps in motion that will set you up for success not only now but well into next year.
Here are 12 career moves you can start today and accomplish before year end.
1. Learn (or refresh) a new skill
You do not need to go back to school to add a new skill to your CV. Online platforms like LinkedIn Learning, Coursera, or even free webinars can help you pick up something new before December rolls around.
Choose a skill that will boost your confidence and career growth, whether that is brushing up on data analysis, improving your public speaking, or taking a leadership course. Not only can you complete many of these programs in just a few weeks, but most offer certificates you can add to your resume or LinkedIn profile right away.
Quick wins like this can give you an edge when it comes to year-end reviews or even that unexpected opportunity that lands in your inbox.
2. Find (or be) a mentor
No one builds a career alone. Having a mentor can help you navigate tough decisions, develop new skills, and broaden your perspective. On the flip side, becoming a mentor yourself can deepen your expertise and expand your leadership skills.
If you are looking for a mentor, start by identifying what you want to learn and who you admire in your field. Do not overcomplicate the ask. Sometimes it is as simple as reaching out for a coffee chat and seeing where the relationship goes.
If you are in a position to guide someone else, consider offering mentorship. Helping another woman grow in her career is not only rewarding but also a powerful reminder of how far you have come.
If you are interested in expanding your peer network and finding mentorship opportunities we’d love for you to check our Peer Suite membership.
3. Join a Peer Suite networking event
You do not have to host your own event to grow your network. Sometimes the best move is simply showing up. Attending a Peer Suite networking event is a chance to meet like-minded professional women, make genuine connections, and step outside your usual circle.
Networking does not have to feel stiff or transactional. One conversation can lead to unexpected opportunities, collaborations, or friendships. If building your community has been on your “someday” list, make it a goal to attend at least one event before year end.
4. Polish your professional presence
Think of this as a little career glow-up. Update your LinkedIn headline and summary, refresh your profile photo, and make sure your resume reflects your most recent achievements.
Having your professional presence up to date makes you feel prepared and confident. Plus, opportunities often come when we least expect them, and you do not want to be scrambling to update everything at the last minute.
5. Strengthen one professional weakness
We all have areas that make us cringe a little, whether it is presenting in front of a group, running reports, or networking at events. The end of the year is a great time to chip away at one of those weaknesses.
Pick one area to focus on and commit to a small, consistent action. For example, you might join a public speaking workshop, practice one new Excel function each week, or attend one networking event a month. Progress does not have to be dramatic to be meaningful!
6. Streamline your workday with one career-boosting habit
Think about the tasks or processes that slow you down or leave you frustrated. Maybe your inbox is overflowing, your meetings are out of control, or your filing system is a mess. Choose one area to simplify before year end, and then pair it with one small career habit you want to build.
For example, you could commit to unsubscribing from one unnecessary email each day while also blocking out one uninterrupted hour of deep work each morning. Or you might start batching meeting requests on two set days a week while also sending one networking message every Friday.
Combining streamlining with habit building is powerful because you free up time while also putting it toward something that supports your long-term growth.
7. Make time for rest and reset
Sometimes the smartest thing you can do is carve out space to recharge.
Think about what kind of rest you need most. Maybe it is using up your annual leave, starting a weekly reset ritual, or creating firmer boundaries around work hours. Protecting your energy ensures you do not roll into the new year already burned out.
8. Update your resume
Even if you are not planning to job hunt right now, keeping your resume current is one of the simplest career investments you can make. Too often we only update it in a rush when applying for something new, which means details get forgotten or accomplishments get watered down.
Take an hour to add recent projects, new skills, and measurable results while they are still fresh in your mind. Think in terms of numbers or impact: Did you increase revenue, improve efficiency, or lead a new initiative? Results like that help you stand out.
Pro tip: keep a “working resume” document that you update throughout the year. That way, the next time an opportunity comes up, you are ready to hit send without stress.
9. Write your wins list
Instead of waiting for your annual review, jot down your biggest wins from the year now. Think about completed projects, new responsibilities, skills you have learned, or positive feedback you have received from clients or colleagues.
Having your wins list ready not only boosts your confidence but also takes the pressure off when you need concrete examples for promotions, raises, or performance reviews. It is much easier to advocate for yourself when you have clear, measurable wins you can reference.
Inside the Peer Suite Members Platform, you can download the Career Wins Tracker to keep everything in one place.
10. Ask for feedback
Do not wait until your official review to find out how you are doing. Proactively asking for feedback shows maturity, self-awareness, and initiative. It also gives you a chance to make improvements now rather than waiting for January.
Start small: ask your manager for one area where you could improve before year end. Or check in with a trusted peer about how you collaborate as part of the team. Keep it specific and open-ended so the feedback is constructive.
And remember, feedback is not just about “fixing mistakes.” It can also highlight your strengths and help you double down on what you are already doing well.
11. Do a digital declutter
A messy inbox or cluttered file system can drain more energy than we realize. Dedicate a few hours to cleaning things up before the year ends and give yourself the gift of a fresh start.
Start with your inbox by setting up folders, archiving old emails, and unsubscribing from newsletters you no longer read (not ours!). Then tackle your desktop and shared drives so important files are easy to find.
If you want to go further, look at your calendar too. Clear recurring meetings that are no longer necessary and set up new blocks of focus time. A digital refresh will make January feel lighter and less overwhelming.
12. Strengthen your personal brand at work
Visibility matters, and the small ways you show up each day can shape how others see you. Building your personal brand does not mean self-promotion in a forced way. It is about being intentional in how you share your value.
This could look like speaking up in a team meeting with one thoughtful idea, sending your manager a quick update on a project win, or writing a short LinkedIn post about something you have learned this year.
Over time, these actions position you as someone who contributes, takes initiative, and is ready for more responsibility. Think of it as laying the groundwork now so that when bigger opportunities arise, your name is already top of mind.
Final Thoughts
The year is not over yet, and there is still plenty of time to make meaningful progress toward your career goals. Whether you choose one move or tackle several, each step you take now sets the stage for the new year ahead.
Remember, career growth does not always come from massive leaps – and more often it comes from small, intentional actions taken consistently. Pick one to start this week, and by the time December comes around, you will already feel the difference.
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