15 Career Audits You Need Before You Resume for the Year

Hey Royals,

Before the emails start gushing in

Before the meetings and deadlines

Before you slide back into routines on autopilot…

Let’s take a moment and put things into proper perspective.

The start of a new work year often comes with the pressure to do more, achieve faster, and prove something. Many professionals resume with the same frustration, confusion and dissatisfaction from the previous year.

Some hope that things will change simply because the year has changed. Others have learned to manage expectations and keep going, even when something feels off.

Empathy matters, but clarity does too.

Nothing changes magically. Growth begins when we are honest enough to reflect and intentional enough to respond. So, if you are serious about growth, clarity, and peace at work, then 15 Career Audits You Need Before You Resume for the Year is your best read yet.

Whether you’re in the early stage of your career or navigating the middle years of growth, transition, or even stagnation, these questions are curated to help you resume with awareness, not anxiety.

Note, however, that this isn’t about judging your progress.

It’s about understanding it.

So, take your time to answer these questions honestly and personally.

1. Direction & Alignment Audit

1. Do I still understand why I chose this career path, or am I running on autopilot?
2. Does my current role move me closer to the life I want?
3. If nothing changes in 3 years, would I feel fulfilled or stuck?
4. What part of my work energises me, and what part drains me?

2. Skills and Growth Audit

5. What skills did I build last year?

6. Which skills does my industry currently reward – and do I have them?

7. If I lost this job, how competitive would I be in the job market?

3. Value, Visibility and Performance Audit

8. Have I positioned myself as a replaceable support or a strategic value?

9. What evidence can I point to that shows growth, impact or leadership?

10. Is my salary/benefits a fair compensation for my skills, value and contribution?

11. Do the right people acknowledge my value?

4. Boundaries & Wellbeing Audit

12. Am I tired because I’m working hard or because I’m misaligned?

13. Does my job provide mechanisms to manage my stress levels? – Am I utilising them?

14. Am I building a career that supports my life?

15. Am I sacrificing my life to sustain my career?

5. Next Moves (Bonus)

• What is that career decision that I have been avoiding, and why?

Final thoughts

A career audit is not meant to overwhelm you. It should help you reflect on and answer uncomfortable but necessary questions like:

Is this role still serving me?

Am I growing or just busy?

What did last year teach me about my limits, strengths, and expectations?

You don’t need to have all the answers before you begin the work year.

However, you do need clarity about what you are continuing, what you’re modifying and what you should confront.

If these 15 Career Audits You Need Before You Resume Work this Year stirred something uncomfortable or clarifying within you, the best advice? Don’t dismiss it.

That discomfort is information.

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