New Year's Resolutions: Dumb vs. Smart; Part 2

By Dia Kline

How are those resolutions holding up? If you've already slipped back into old habits, welcome to the club. The membership is huge, and we have snacks.

Let's dive into four more dumb vs. smart resolutions that'll actually move the needle.

Resolution #5: The Networking Nightmare

DUMB: Finally respond to all those LinkedIn connection requests from random recruiters who clearly sent the same generic message to 500 people.

SMART: Build strategic relationships with actual humans who can help you. 

Here's the Down & Dirty truth. Networking isn't about collecting business cards. It's about building genuine relationships with people who can actually help you get to the hiring manager.

Focus on quality connections. Connect with people in your target industry, at companies you want to work for, or in roles you're aiming for. These are your people.

Make every connection request personal. When you send a connection request, tell them WHY. "I saw your post about project management tools and would love to connect." Show you're a human, not a bot.

Resolution #6: The Email Black Hole

DUMB: Create nested folders with color-coded labels that you'll use exactly twice before abandoning the system entirely.

SMART: Create a simple system that actually tracks your job search progress. 

Set up smart alerts. Create filters so emails from recruiters, hiring managers, and companies you've applied to go to a specific folder AND trigger notifications.

Document everything in your tracking system. Remember that job search tracking notebook from Part 1? Every email that matters gets logged there. Company name, position, date, next steps.

Schedule response times. Check your job search email twice a day, morning and late afternoon. Respond thoughtfully, not reactively. This prevents the all-day anxiety spiral of refreshing your inbox every 10 minutes.

Resolution #7: The Elevator Pitch Problem

DUMB: Memorize a robotic elevator pitch full of corporate buzzwords like "synergize," "leverage," and "thought leader."

SMART: Develop a compelling "Tell me about yourself" statement that makes people want to know more about you. 

Start with a summary. Lead with your years of experience, work background, or education. "I have eight years in digital marketing with a focus on B2B companies" beats "I'm a strategic marketing consultant specializing in omnichannel brand optimization."

Pick ONE focal point:

• Key achievement from your last job: "In my last role, I reduced customer churn by 30%."
• What you're known for: "I turn messy data into stories that make sense to non-technical people."
• What you just finished: "I just completed my MBA while working full-time."
• Your career goal: "I'm looking to move into a leadership role where I can build high-performing teams."

Practice until it flows naturally. Say it conversationally without sounding rehearsed. Test it on friends. If they look confused or bored, revise.

Resolution #8: The Salary Situation

DUMB: FINALLY ask for what you're worth, then immediately accept because you assume the offer is fair-market value.

SMART: Do your homework, know your numbers, and negotiate like the professional you are. 

Talking about money is uncomfortable. You know what's more painful? Being underpaid for the next three years because you didn't know your worth.

Research real market rates. Use tools like Glassdoor, PayScale, and LinkedIn Salary, and talk to people in your industry. Understand the RANGE for your role, your location, and your experience level.

Practice saying your number OUT LOUD. Practice saying "My salary expectation is $85,000" without your voice rising at the end. It's not a question. Do it until you can say it confidently.

Remember the total package. Factor in health insurance quality, 401(k) match, PTO days, professional development budget, remote work flexibility, and more. A $75K salary with amazing benefits might beat an $80K salary.

The Bottom Line 

Your job search isn't about working harder. It's about working SMARTER.

Dumb resolutions keep you busy without getting results. Smart resolutions, the ones grounded in what actually WORKS, move the needle.

Ready to make 2025 the year you actually land that job? We're here to help you turn those smart resolutions into reality.

Want to learn the complete system? Join our Down & Dirty Job Search program starting Wednesday, January 21st, from 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM MST for six weeks that will transform your job search.

Missed Part 1? Go back and check out four more game-changing resolutions that'll transform your job search.