Why review your career every year?
Careers change slowly, and it is easy to miss the changes. A yearly review shows what you learned, where you are stuck and what has shifted around you. It also gives you a natural time to update your resume, thank people and set new goals.
Pick a regular date, such as the end of a school year, the end of a growing season or your work anniversary. Block out a couple of hours and write your answers down. A written record from earlier years makes this easy, so save each review in the same folder.
What should you review about your work?
Start with the job itself. Do you still like it? What did you do best this year, and what was hard? What did you learn? Were your responsibilities different from what you expected? Be honest and specific.
Write down accomplishments with details. Projects completed, problems solved, customers helped and training finished all count. This record helps with resumes, raises and applications. Notice patterns across years, such as the same frustration returning or the same strength showing up, since they point to what you should change or build on.
- Tasks I enjoy and tasks I avoid.
- Skills I gained this year.
- Training, certificates or licenses earned or due for renewal.
- Feedback I received and what I did with it.
- What I want to do more or less of next year.
- Whether my current job still matches my interests.
What should you check about pay and benefits?
Look at your pay, hours and benefits. Compare them with current data from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program and CareerOneStop for your occupation and area, and note the year. If pay seems low, ask your employer politely about growth or a review. Check that your hours and pay match the Wage and Hour Division rules that apply.
Also review your own budget. Are you saving anything? Do you have debts that need attention? Planning small improvements each year adds up. If you are a student, replace pay with money questions about school costs, savings and aid, and check dates on the official pages.
What should you check about safety and health?
Think about close calls, injuries and fatigue. Did you receive the training you needed? Is any equipment or task still unfamiliar? Are you getting enough rest and care for your body and mind? If a hazard went unaddressed, raise it with your supervisor or look at OSHA and NIOSH guidance.
Safety is part of a career review, not a separate topic. A job that harms your health is not a good long-term fit, whatever it pays. Write down any hazards you noticed and who you told, so you can follow up.
What should you review about relationships and learning?
List the people who helped you this year and thank them. Note whom you met and whom you want to meet. Check whether you have a mentor, and think about whether you are mentoring anyone else. Review what you read, studied or practiced.
Choose two or three skills to build next year. Look at job postings for the role you want and see what they ask for. Do not forget to ask what you could teach others. Sharing a skill is one of the fastest ways to deepen it.
- Books, courses or extension programs I plan to try.
- People I want to meet or thank.
How do you plan the next twelve months?
Turn what you learned into a few clear goals. Pick no more than three or four. Write what you will do, by when and how you will measure it. Include one skill goal, one relationship goal and one money goal. Schedule the first step this month.
If you are a student, include classes, applications and summer plans. Check deadlines on official pages instead of memory, and look at Federal Student Aid for current aid information. Share your plan with someone who will ask you about it in six months.
Quick checklist to print
Copy this list into a notebook or document and fill it out each year. Add your own questions as you go, and keep past years so you can see your progress.
- Update your resume with new skills and accomplishments.
- Check certifications and license renewal dates with the official agency.
- Compare your pay with current BLS data for your area.
- Review your savings and debts.
- Note safety concerns and training needs.
- Thank mentors and update contacts.
- Set three goals for next year.
Your next steps
- A yearly review keeps you from drifting and helps you spot problems early.
- Write down accomplishments, skills and feedback with details.
- Compare pay with current official data and review your budget.
- Set a few clear goals and schedule the first step.
Sources and further reading
Last reviewed: November 12, 2026. Written by the Ag Jobs & Careers Editorial Team. See our editorial policy.