Aligning Career Goals with New Opportunities

Attention - Career pivot!? It is rather often that I receive direct messages from candidates asking for advice on how to manage a significant career pivot. Changing careers at a mature stage in life is a little like going on a very tall roller coaster - it can be both exciting and scary. Here are some thoughts to consider: ↝ 𝗦𝗲𝗹𝗳 𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁: Start by assessing your skills, interests, and values. Understand your strengths and what drives you. This self-awareness will guide you towards a career that aligns with the true you! ↝ 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝘀𝗲𝘁-𝘂𝗽: Understand the financial implications of a career change. Determine how your income might be affected during the transition period and plan accordingly. In today`s environment it almost always takes longer than planned. ↝ 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗹𝗼𝗿𝗲: Take the time to learn about potential career directions. Look into industries that interest you and explore the job market demand, required skills, and educational or training pathways. Talk to real people to gain insights! Make sure that you take into consideration local market specifics. ↝ 𝗦𝗸𝗶𝗹𝗹𝘀: Identify your skills or knowledge that can be transferred as well as gaps between your current experience and your desired career. Courses, certifications, or workshops can be helpful (and costly). ↝ 𝗡𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴: Leverage your existing network and reach out to professionals in the new field. Networking can be critical in your decision making as well your eventual success. ↝ 𝗩𝗼𝗹𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴: If possible, gain practical experience in your new field through volunteering or internships. This can help you confirm you are on the right path; acquire hands-on experience and expand your network. ↝ 𝗣𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲: Understand that changing careers may take time and effort. Consider adjusting your plans based on new information or opportunities that arise. ↝ 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘆 𝗣𝗼𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗣𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁: Resilience on this journey will be critical. Job hunting and career changes are often challenging, but maintaining a positive mindset will increase your chances of success. ↝ 𝗘𝘃𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗔𝗱𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁: Once you've made the change, periodically evaluate your career satisfaction and progress. Be open to making further adjustments if needed to ensure long-term fulfillment. ❓ Anything you would add? Any questions? ------------------------------------------------- Oh, hey there! I am Dana - Recruiter with a 💡 ☝🏼 Like this and want more interesting content? 🍪 Share if others could benefit from this too! 🔔 Follow me and 'hit' the bell on my profile.

Here’s what most people get wrong about career growth: 👇 Climbing the corporate ladder is supposed to be about getting a prestigious title, a heftier paycheck, and a seat at a higher-level table—right? Maybe so, but here’s an often-dismissed secret: Real career growth isn’t just about moving up. Sometimes, it’s about moving strategically. One of my clients recently faced this dilemma. She was approached for a new opportunity within her company, but on paper, it looked like a lateral move—same level, similar responsibilities. So, she hesitated. She enjoyed her current position, though the promotion potential was limited. But would this look like stagnation on her resume? Would it set her back from reaching her goals and long-term career vision? As we explored the opportunity together, something shifted. She realized that this move could actually accelerate her growth in ways a direct promotion might not. Here’s why: 📌 Increased Visibility – The new role would place her in a high-priority division working on mission-critical projects, giving her access to key stakeholders and company leadership she didn’t yet have. 📌 Greater Autonomy – Unlike her current role, where she reported to a highly directive leader, this position would allow her to own initiatives, drive innovation, and make strategic decisions. 📌 Expanded Skill Set – This role would challenge her to develop cutting-edge strategies, expand her skill set, and strengthen her resume—making her an even stronger candidate for future leadership roles. 📌 Promotion Potential – The new role has greater opportunity for a clear promotion path than her current position, and the new manager valued her ambition. Ultimately, my client recognized that career growth isn’t just about a title. It’s about gaining experience, new skills, strategic connections, and greater influence. Sometimes, the best move isn’t up—it’s sideways. A strategic shift can better align you with your values and set you up for the next big leap. Have you ever taken a lateral move that turned out to be a game-changer for your career? ⬇️ Share your story in the comments to inspire others considering a strategic lateral move. #CareerGrowth #JobSearch #LeadershipDevelopment #CareerDevelopment #EmpoweredByAnne

Career transitions are tough–but they’re more common than ever. Last week, I hosted a webinar about navigating career changes. Here are few of the tips I shared: 𝗧𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲, 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲. After a layoff, allow space for recovery and reflection. Then build structure into your days so that you’re balancing the job search with personal pursuits. 𝗥𝗲𝗳𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗼𝗻 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂’𝗿𝗲 𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗼𝗿. Identify what energizes you and what’s non-negotiable. Without focus, you risk landing a job you later wish you hadn’t taken. 𝗗𝗼𝗻’𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝘁𝗶𝘁𝗹𝗲 𝗼𝗿 𝗶𝗻𝗱𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘆. Be open to new possibilities. Think about how your skills and experience can transfer to new roles or industries you hadn't considered before. 𝗨𝗽𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗻𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲. Refresh your LinkedIn profile, resume, and highlights to align with your current goals. Being generic won’t get you noticed. 𝗖𝗿𝗮𝗳𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗲𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗶𝘁𝗰𝗵. Take stock of your experiences and interests and create a short summary of your experiences and interests so people know how you might fit into potential opportunities. 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗻𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸. Learn about others’ roles and industries. Share your story. Don’t ask for a job–ask for insights or advice. 𝗕𝗲 𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗽𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗴-𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗼𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀. Consider part-time work, freelancing, or short term projects to build momentum and add to your experience while you figure out your longer-term path. 𝗜𝗻𝘃𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗱𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁. Follow career coaches for free insights or consider investing in coaching to gain clarity on your strengths, values, and goals, and how to frame your impact. 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘁𝗿𝘂𝘁𝗵-𝘁𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗿𝘀—the people who know your superpowers (and blindspots) can help you see possibilities you may not recognize on your own. 𝗔 𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗺𝗼𝘃𝗲–𝗼𝗿 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻 𝗹𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗶𝘁𝗹𝗲–𝗶𝘀𝗻'𝘁 𝗮𝗹𝘄𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝗮 𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗽 𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸. It can build new skills, networks and experiences that catalyze a new career direction. These aren't just general ideas—they're practices that have helped me, too. Over the course of my career, I’ve navigated four major transitions—each driven by different reasons: shifting priorities after starting a family, a desire for broader growth, a layoff, and the pull toward betting on myself. Each time, the same fundamentals made the difference: clarity, connection, and the courage to stay open to new possibilities. Career transitions are an opportunity to reset with more intention and clarity about what truly matters right now. The experience can vary widely depending on where you are in your career, your skills and experiences, your industry–and your mindset. If you’ve navigated a career transition, what’s one piece of advice you’d share?

Last week I shared why "I just need to get out of here" is the most dangerous mindset for executive career moves. Today: how to determine the optimal next opportunity. Most executives evaluate opportunities using the standard checklist: ☑ Title ☑ Compensation ☑ Team size ☑ Budget authority ☑ Reporting relationship After guiding dozens of transitions, I've learned that while these checklist items matter, they only skim the surface. 𝗜𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘄𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘄𝘁𝗵 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗶𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗿, 𝘆𝗼𝘂'𝗿𝗲 𝗴𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗮 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗯𝗲𝘆𝗼𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗰𝗸𝗹𝗶𝘀𝘁. Here's why this matters: • Linear moves (bigger title, more money) plateau quickly • Real growth comes from value creation, not position changes • Your unique capabilities compound in impact when properly leveraged • The best executives build career momentum, not just resumes Enter the 𝗩𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗲 𝗖𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗙𝗿𝗮𝗺𝗲𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸. It helps you evaluate both your unique abilities and where they'll have the greatest leverage: 👁️ 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗤𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗯𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴: • Market dynamics you understand deeply • Hidden opportunities you've spotted • Emerging risks you see clearly    𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗳𝗼𝗿: • Decision authority to act on insights • Resources to pursue opportunities • Appetite for strategic pivots 📈 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝗤𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗯𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴: • Core metrics you consistently improve • Strategic outcomes you deliver • Value creation levers you understand 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗳𝗼𝗿: • Alignment with your impact zones • Clear performance gaps to address • Untapped growth vectors 💡 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗜𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗤𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗯𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴: • Business models you could reinvent • Operating approaches you could transform • Market positions you could redefine 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗳𝗼𝗿: • Culture open to new thinking • Investment in transformation • Stakeholder support for change When you find roles where your specific talents and insights create exponential value, two things happen: you deliver outsized impact, and your career naturally accelerates. Why? Because remarkable results create more opportunities, which create more impact, which creates even more opportunities. It's a self-reinforcing cycle. 𝗪𝗵𝗶𝗰𝗵 𝗱𝗶𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗩𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗲 𝗖𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗙𝗿𝗮𝗺𝗲𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝗺𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗲𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗰𝘂𝗿𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗻𝗲𝘅𝘁 𝗺𝗼𝘃𝗲? Stay tuned...next week: The Positioning Playbook - because having a great answer to 'why you?' matters more than having a great answer to 'why leave?' 😉 -------------------------------------- Ring my 🔔 for more tips, fresh ideas and insights or, reach out directly for my help in making your executive leadership up-level happen faster and with far more ease.

"I wasn't the guy that would look for the next open position. It would come to me… but that’s probably not a good thing. I didn't toot my own horn. I played it safe, and it took energy to keep fitting into a mold that wasn’t really me. I tell people: don’t get too good at something you don’t love. You might be amazing at it, but if your heart isn’t in it, don’t let inertia and external validation trap you.” — Google Director You can drift upward in your career without ever deciding where you want to go. If you're competent, people will offer you roles that keep you moving forward. This is one of the more common career regrets: not leaving a bad job, but staying in a "good" one that really isn't satisfying and/or doesn't provide you with a sense of purpose. A 2021 report from BetterUp found that professionals with high alignment between their values and their work reported 2.5x greater life satisfaction. Alternatively, those who lacked that alignment described their work as “weight they carry”. Actions to avoid - or to get off - this path: 1. Make a choice - don't wait to be chosen At least once a year, apply for a stretch role, lead a new initiative, or suggest a pivot. Make it clear that you want to steer and have a direction. 2. Share what it is that you want to do If no one knows what kind of work excites you, they’ll fill in the blanks for you. Make your goals visible to your manager, your peers, and your mentors. 3. Track what you are becoming - and becoming known for Once a year, ask yourself what you are learning, where you are growing, and what you are becoming known for. Is all of that okay? If not, plan an alternative route.

Reinventing Your Career Path? I've walked the path from civil engineering to career coaching. My latest podcast episode explores the challenges and opportunities of changing careers mid-way. Whether you're feeling stuck, unfulfilled, or just curious about what else is out there, I cover everything you need to know to take control of your career journey. 🎙️ Key Takeaways: ✅ Why many of us settle for less in our careers—and how to break free. ✅ Common myths about mid-career changes and the truth behind them. ✅ How to align your career with your values, skills, and passions. ✅ Practical steps to explore new opportunities and make the leap. ✅ Navigating challenges like self-doubt, financial concerns, and external pressures. Remember, the second half of your life can be the best half. It’s never too late to create a career that truly resonates with who you are. 🌟 👉 https://lnkd.in/d_XMGSS 💬 Have you gone through a career change, or are you considering one? I’d love to hear your story—drop me a message or share your thoughts in the comments! #CareerChange #MidCareer #CareerGrowth #Podcast #CareerCoaching #ReinventYourself

Reading the Wall Street Journal this morning got my attention. Several articles focused on slower hiring. One introduced me to a concept called “job hugging.” This is where workers cling to their current roles due to economic and career growth uncertainties. I had to sit with this information to empathize and get spirit. No judgments; here's what I came up with. It's understandable to feel anxious, but staying put doesn't have to mean your career is stagnating. Reinvention doesn't always require outside opportunities; many companies are evolving, opening up new internal possibilities. We recorded Mike Hayes on the Revenue Builders Podcast yesterday. Mike is the author of the newly released book Mission Driven: The Path to a Life of Purpose. Here’s what Mike shared with us to make the most of this moment and set yourself up to thrive, whether you're actively searching or cultivating growth in your current role: • Focus on "Who" over "What": It's not merely about "what you want to be" (a title or position) but "who you want to be." • Seek and Embrace Feedback: Regularly ask for and provide yourself with feedback • Align with Your Energy: Identify the intersection of "what gives you energy, what you are good at, and what the business needs". The closer your role aligns with what energizes you, the less it feels like work. • Cultivate Meta Skills and Adaptability: Change is a constant, and developing "meta skills" like agility, resilience, intentionality with your emotions, and a strong work ethic (drive, hunger, curiosity) is paramount. • Play the Long Game and Short Game: Your "long game" is your overarching career plan and purpose, while the "short game" involves the daily actions and skills needed to deal with constant change. Additional ideas:     ◦ Deliver Impact: Focus on work directly contributing to business outcomes like revenue, cost savings, or efficiency.     ◦ Expand Horizontally: Volunteer for side projects, internal committees, or cross-team initiatives to build new skills and gain exposure.     ◦ Be Indispensable: Develop expertise in critical tools or processes.     ◦ Upskill: Take advantage of employer-offered training, especially in high-demand areas like AI and digital skills.     ◦ Network Constantly: Build and maintain relationships; "the worst time to look for a job is when you are desperate".     ◦ Reflect and Plan: Consider your goals and current role. Regularly update your "brag document" of achievements. Employers value adaptability, clear business impact, and self-driven learning. By investing in your "who" and strategically developing your "what," you can stand out and continue to grow professionally, regardless of market conditions. What strategies are you focusing on right now? Share your thoughts below! #BeUncommon #BeElite #BeMissionDriven

“But what if I’m not sure what direction I want my career to take?” I hear this question a lot. And oh, I’ve been there. I knew academia wasn’t right for me. But I had no clue what to do next. And the uncertainty? It was paralyzing. Here’s what I did and what I recommend instead. My first instinct: I listed my core values, which I wasn’t willing to compromise. Then, I started applying to jobs that aligned with those values and matched my skillset. I cobbled together a résumé based on examples I found online, swapping in my own experience. Eventually, I landed a job. But my uncertainty didn’t go away. What I recommend instead: Take the personal brand route. Not because it’s trendy, but because it works. Here’s how to start: • Pick 3 professional topics you’re interested in. • Add 1–2 personal themes that reflect how your career intersects with your life. • Start sharing stories, insights, or even questions around those themes. It could be something from your research. A curiosity. A challenge. A reflection. Read, reflect, share. At first, your posts might not get much attention. That’s okay. Engage with others in your space. Show up with consistency. Why this works: 1. You’ll discover what lights you up and what doesn’t. 2. You’ll start attracting opportunities aligned with your evolving path. So when the time comes to choose your next move, you won’t be starting from scratch. You’ll already be known in the spaces you want to grow into. And you’ll be choosing with clarity, heart, and soul included. –– Feeling stuck? I’ve been there. Let’s get you moving: ✅ Follow for more science & purpose reflections 📬 Subscribe to Outreach Lab (link in bio) ☕ Book a free clarity call—I'd love to hear your story. Bridge your Science with the World. It’s Ready to Listen.

Navigating career decisions isn't a walk in the park, especially when you have options and uncertainties. But don't worry, there's a way to bring clarity to the chaos with a structured approach that considers both logic and emotion. Let's dive in. 1. Clarify your decision: Start by pinpointing what decision you need to make. Are you choosing between job offers, or are you contemplating a new career path? Having a clear objective is crucial. 2. Define your priorities and values: List your top 4-7 priorities for your career, such as career growth, impact potential, and personal satisfaction. Also, identify your core values and what truly matters to you. These can guide you to choices that align with your long-term fulfillment. 3. Generate more options (if possible): Don’t limit yourself to a couple of choices. Use your priorities and values to brainstorm additional options, considering both immediate and long-term possibilities. Talk to people you admire, explore job boards, and think outside the box. 4. Rank and test your options: Once you have a list, rank them based on how well they align with your priorities. Then, dive deeper into your top options—talk to people you know, check YouTube, or even test the waters through short-term projects. This helps in reality-checking your assumptions and understanding the true landscape. 7. Assess risks, regrets, and reversibility (a critical step, in my opinion): Evaluate the risks and potential regrets tied to each choice. Consider what could go wrong and whether you're prepared to handle those challenges. Also, think about how easily you could switch paths if necessary and what opportunities you might miss by not choosing a particular option. As my wife wisely suggested, try tossing a coin and pay attention to your immediate reaction to the outcome—it can reveal your true preferences. 6. Incorporate emotional insights (gut feeling): Pay attention to your emotional responses and gut feelings. They can provide important insights into whether a decision aligns with who you are at your core. Balance these with your systematic analysis for a well-rounded decision. 7. Make your best guess and look ahead: At some point, you'll need to make a decision. Trust the process you’ve followed and don't look back. 8. Take action: Once you've decided, focus on execution. Break your plan into actionable steps and set milestones to track your progress. Career decisions are part of an ongoing journey of growth and exploration. They are not linear and don't have to be. Just focus on what is best for you and your life; the rest is just noise.