Analysing my professional situation is still not my favourite activity, but I have made it a tradition to do it twice a year. To do this, I simply put a reminder in my diary to reserve 2-3 hours in the respective working week. Another option is to choose a date that is easy to remember, such as your birthday or the holidays.
Such a job assessment (as we call it here in this article) is not just asking yourself the question "Am I still happy in my job?" and then if the answer is yes, ticking the box and moving on. Of course this question is important, but it also means listing the tasks you are responsible for and comparing them to the job description or annual goals as agreed with the leader. Often it also helps to compare these goals with those of colleagues in a similar position. If they seem to have significantly more tasks or responsibilities, think about whether some of these tasks could be helpful for your own development and next career step.
In addition, a job evaluation helps to be proactive in planning the next career step. Moving from one job to the next takes time, especially for administrative tasks. Imagine you get into trouble because your current contract is expiring and the institution offering you your dream job does not make up its mind and keeps you waiting. Where else could you go? What should you do to tide you over? If you are aware of this, you can already prepare by talking to your current employer about a short extension of your contract or flexibility in holiday planning.
Those who want to get it completely right can also do a self-assessment to get a 360-degree view of the current situation. A self-assessment helps to show one's strengths and to highlight what I like. At the same time, however, you also get indications of those areas in which there is still potential for development. Even if the job is still the same, time invested in a seminar, course or certificate can pay off.
In my professional career, such a job evaluation has helped me several times to realise that I need training or a certificate in a certain area or that I do not seem to be at the level of responsibility that I actually aspire to. Therefore, I recommend everyone to take a few hours each year to consider whether the professional activity is still enjoyable. I am convinced that you will then be better prepared for everything that may come your way during a professional career.