Getting grounded for the year ahead

The turning of the calendar into a new year is a natural point of reflection. It’s a time to celebrate all that you’ve accomplished this year and to determine how you’re going to build on that success. Before you start refreshing your professional goals, explore resources on LinkedIn to guide your thought process from the biggest wins of 2023 through the forecasted trends of 2024 (and navigate the holiday season while you’re at it). Keep reading for insights into: 

• Taking stock of 2023

• Big predictions for 2024

• Generative AI learning resources

• Making connections on LinkedIn

• Inclusive language for the holidays

Take a victory lap for 2023

As you set your sights on new year goals, taking a look back can surprisingly be a great way to kick things off. Take some time to reflect on all you’ve achieved this year, from a project that finally got completed to newly-forged relationships in your industry. Your 2023 “wins” can be a valuable confidence boost as well as inspiration for further growth. 

One way to see how far you’ve come: scroll back through your profile’s “Experience” section for a quick tour of your past roles, goals, and accomplishments.

New year, big ideas 

From job applicants being paid for their time, to the rise in “back door” remote jobs, next year is sure to bring things that none of us could have imagined. Nevertheless, every December, LinkedIn News brings together predictions from journalists, experts, CEOs, thought leaders, economists and more on the trends they believe will define the year ahead. These 34 Big Ideas for 2024 are now available for all members to explore. 

As you reflect on your ambitions for work, home, and beyond, these concepts can provide an unexpected perspective on where opportunities lie. Share your biggest surprises or predictions on LinkedIn using the hashtag #BigIdeas2024.

Generative AI and the future of work

The latest Future of Work report found that 84% of U.S. LinkedIn members are in jobs that could leverage generative AI to automate repetitive tasks and increase productivity. Learn what this means for your daily work by starting with the basics like what it is, how it works, how to create your own content, different types of models, and ethical implications.

All these topics and more are covered in the LinkedIn Learning course “What is Generative AI?” led by Pinar Demirdag, AI Director at Seyhan Lee. This course is currently available for free to all LinkedIn members, offering AI beginners a non-technical entry point to begin transforming your career.

Find your community on LinkedIn

Growing your network on LinkedIn connects you to like-minded professionals in your industry, helps you find your next job, and offers expert insight into industry trends. If one of your resolutions is to form more meaningful connections, check out this article for practical advice on expanding your community. Here, you’ll find simple steps to optimize your profile and spark engaging conversations. 

Using the LinkedIn search function, you can:

• Find people: filter individual profiles by industry, company, school and more to find people working in your dream role.

• Find groups: engage with those who share your passion, industry or career goals.

• Find posts: follow conversations or hashtags about the topics that most interest you or can help you grow.

• Find newsletters: subscribe to topic-specific content from expert perspectives.

• Find events: attend live video and audio events to connect with like-minded guests, or even directly with the host.

Where festivity meets inclusivity 

The holidays bring enough awkward conversations with distant relatives and new acquaintances—there’s no need to get tripped up at work too. Confidently spread inclusivity and joy among your colleagues with our inclusive language handbook for holiday greetings. Here, you’ll find advice like:

• Don’t assume: Never assume the holidays your coworkers celebrate. If you don’t know, it’s best to ask.

• Embrace seasonal greetings: Season-specific greetings such as “happy holidays” or “warm wishes” celebrate the festive spirit without referencing any particular holidays. 

• Learn different greetings: Spend a few minutes getting to know the holidays celebrated this time of year and their corresponding greetings.

Now that you’ve got a handle on wishing your coworkers well, you can spend more time preparing to remind your family what exactly it is you do at work. 

What are you most proud of achieving in 2023? Let’s celebrate in the comments! 🎉 Keep up with In the Loop in 2024 by subscribing today.