SPONSORED CONTENT -- (StatePoint) Looking for a fresh professional start in 2026? Here are three New Year’s resolutions you can make to boost your career.

Refresh Your Resume

Whether you’re actively job searching or not, it’s a good idea to give your resume, CV and LinkedIn profile a refresh. Doing so will mean you’re ready to apply for a new job quickly, if needed or when compelling opportunities come your way. While you’ll want to tweak your resume with each application to emphasize the skills and experience most crucial to the position, it’s helpful to have an up-to-date document as a foundation.

Explore Growing Fields

At a time when many companies and industries are downsizing, you can help bolster your long-term job security by exploring fields that are anticipated to grow in the coming years. Whether you’re in school now or considering a mid-career pivot, consider targeting positions in hot industries such as green energy, artificial intelligence, actuarial science and home health care.

Financial planning is another great path to consider. Firms large and small are actively filling their ranks as senior professionals retire and the number of Americans in search of wealth management advisors grows. With the onset of artificial intelligence (AI), technology and financial planning experts alike agree that emerging digital tools will only enhance the work of financial planners.

Get the Right Credentials

The right credentials can help you stand out in a crowded job market, alerting employers and clients that you have experience and knowledge they can trust. In the case of financial services, 90% of consumers see an advisor’s certification as important. Employers understand this and it’s part of the reason why becoming a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER^® professional can have a tangible impact on your earnings potential. In fact, CFP^® professionals earn 13% more than other financial planners, according to CFP Board’s 2025 Compensation Study. Considered the standard of excellence for 50 years, CFP^® certification involves an intensive education program in 72 areas of financial expertise and rigorous experience and ethical requirements. In the new year, check out the many resources available to help you take steps to earn CFP^® certification, from scholarships and mentorships to a dashboard that helps you track your certification status. Get started today at CFP.net.

To ring in 2026 with professional confidence, give your career a boost by both focusing on what you’ve achieved so far and what you can accomplish in the future.

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