There is something about September that has always felt like a fresh start to me.

Maybe it's years of associating fall with going back to school. Maybe it's the shift in weather, the return from summer vacations, or simply realizing there are only a few months left in the year. Whatever it is, September brings a renewed sense of energy and the feeling that it's time to get serious again.

I think it's also one of the most underrated times to think about your career.

We tend to treat January as the month for big changes. New year. New goals. New job. But if you want to be sitting in a different chair come January, waiting until January to start looking probably isn't the best strategy.

Fall is when you start.

And I don't necessarily mean updating your résumé tonight and applying to 25 jobs tomorrow. In fact, I'd suggest doing almost the opposite.

Start by assessing.

Are you still learning where you are? Are you being challenged? Do you have a leader who sees your potential? Are there opportunities ahead, or have you been telling yourself for the past year that something will eventually change?

Sometimes the answer is that you're exactly where you should be. That's valuable to know, too. A career assessment doesn't always have to end with an exit plan.

But sometimes you realize you've been comfortable for a little too long.

A job can be good and still not be right for you anymore. You can like your team and still need a bigger challenge. You can be successful and still want something different. Wanting to grow doesn't mean you aren't grateful for what you have.

Once you've been honest about where you are, fall gives you time to explore without the pressure of needing an immediate answer.

Look around. What companies are doing interesting things? What roles are emerging? What skills are becoming more valuable? Who has a career that makes you curious?

Then start talking to people.

I've said this before, but I believe it more with every year of my career: some of the best opportunities don't begin with a job posting. They begin with a conversation.

Reconnect with a former colleague. Have coffee with someone outside your immediate circle. Tell a trusted mentor you're thinking about what might be next. And don't make every conversation about, "Are you hiring?" You're gathering information, building relationships, and figuring out what excites you.

Then use the rest of the fall to get ready.

If your résumé hasn't been touched in three years, update it. Make sure your LinkedIn profile reflects where you want to go, not simply where you've been. Start documenting your accomplishments and the impact you've made. If the opportunity you want requires a skill you don't have, start closing that gap now.

By the time January arrives, you won't be starting a job search. You'll have spent months preparing for your next move.

And you may discover that the opportunity you're looking for is right where you already are. Maybe there's a conversation you need to have with your manager, a new responsibility you should raise your hand for, or someone you should ask to mentor you.

September gives us something January doesn't: time.

So, before the year gets away from us, ask yourself one question: Where would I like to be sitting in January?

If the answer looks different from where you're sitting today, fall is the perfect time to start doing something about it.

Your Fall Career Checklist

☐ Decide what you actually want next. Think beyond title. Consider the work, leadership, culture, compensation, flexibility, and growth you're looking for.

☐ Update your résumé and LinkedIn. Focus on your impact and accomplishments, and make sure you're telling the story of where you want to go next.

☐ Start sourcing opportunities. Set job alerts, follow companies that interest you, connect with recruiters, and pay attention to where people in your network are moving.

☐ Work your network. Pick five people to reconnect with this fall. Don't lead with a job request. Start with a conversation.

☐ Close a gap. Identify one skill, technology, or experience that would make you a stronger candidate and start building it now.

☐ Look inside before you look outside. Have the conversation with your manager, explore another part of the business, or raise your hand for something new. Your next opportunity may already be there.

☐ Give yourself a January goal. Decide where you'd like to be by the start of the year and work backward to determine what you need to do this fall.

Your next opportunity doesn't have to start in January.

It can start right now.

Beth Mach, WIA Board Member, has a passion to challenge the status quo and deliver value for all stakeholders while fostering an inclusive and empathetic culture, a competitive and rewarding workplace, and a sustainable and scalable business model. She also leverages her diverse skills and interests as a public speaker, an investor, a mentor, a volunteer, and a voice artist to empower, inspire, and connect people across categories and geographies.