Tips for Strategic Career Planning

After 20 years in talent management and career coaching, I’ve seen one truth over and over! ‘You cannot wait  for your boss or manager to advance your career!’ If you want a new job, a promotion, or more recognition in 2025,  here’s what I’ve learned and what I coach my clients to do: Document Your Achievements: I've kept a "brag file" of my achievements—big and small.  When it's time for reviews or interviews, I have solid evidence of my contributions. Invest in learning and development: This has helped me stay ahead of the curve.  I mastered skills aligned with the future  of work to remain competitive. Advocate for Yourself:  Don't shy away from claiming credit when you've earned it!  Throughout my career, I've made it a point  to advocate for myself. Create a Career Roadmap: Defining your goals and outlining actionable steps to reach them has been a game-changer for me. ↳ My clear plans have made the journey less daunting. Network Strategically and Consistently: Building meaningful connections regularly, not just when you need  something is crucial. Don’t forget those  Christmas parties and meet-ups. ↳ Strong relationships have been game-changers in my career. Be Proactive:  Taking initiative and following through have been key to my success. Remember, passivity stalls progress, while execution drives results. Putting these strategies into action has helped me achieve  my career goals, and I know they can do the  same for you. Embrace ownership of your success and thrive in the coming year! What strategies have helped you excel in your career?  Share your tips below! #GoalInspiredCareerCoaching #CareerAdvice #JobPromotion

I’ve coached thousands of job seekers who felt lost and overwhelmed. Here are the 10 steps we start with to find the right path: 1. Your #1 Priority Clarity should be the first thing you invest in. It makes career success SO much easier (at every stage). When you have clarity, you can invest 100% of your energy into that goal. So before you start applying to jobs or grad school? Find your path. 2. The Myth Of “Passion” People think passion is a lightning bolt that suddenly hits you. One day you wake up knowing what you're supposed to do. That's BS. Passion stems from action. It's the result of trying new things. If you want to find your path? You need to act. 3. Map Out Your Ideal Lifestyle Career happiness doesn't come from a job title. It stems from the ability to meet your lifestyle needs: – Target salary – Ideal living situation – Surrounded by people you love – Work that fills your cup Start by defining all of these things. 4. Label Your Energy Next, grab a piece of paper. Make two columns: 1. Energy Creators 2. Energy Drainers Now list out every single activity, task, and project you've worked on. Label each as a creator or drainer. Your career path should be filled with energy creators. 5. Clarify Your Strengths Success is easier when your path plays to natural strengths. I recommend the High 5 Test. It's a 15 minute quiz that will define your top strengths. It'll tell you what each means and how to harness it. Talent: A natural way of thinking, feeling, behaving × Investment: Time spent practicing, developing your skills, or building a knowledge base = Strength: The ability to consistently provide near-perfect performance 6. Find People Doing "Cool" Stuff Now you've created clarity around your strengths, energy, and ideal lifestyle. Next, I want you to find people already living that life. Who has a job you admire? What jobs have seemed “cool” to you in the past? Make a list of 30+ contacts. 7. Reach Out & Learn Make a daily habit of reaching out to one person. Be honest about your situation and desire for clarity. Then make sure to build up their achievements and mention why you admire them. Here's the email template I used when I was on this journey: The Winning Template: Subject: Quick Question  Hi [Name], My name is [Your Name] and I came across your information on LinkedIn while I was looking for people who transitioned into [Industry/Field] from a non-traditional background. Your background is really impressive! I saw you do different fields and [Industry/Field] really piqued my interest. If you have a few minutes, I’d love to hear more about your journey and how you landed in your role today. I know that’s a big ask so no worries if it’s too much. I totally understand. Either way, hope you have a great rest of the week!  

If you have 20 plus years of experience, how are you planning your next role in today’s market? Over the past week, I had a few conversations with professionals who have 20 plus years of experience and are thinking about their next move. Most of them are in mid management or leadership roles and are finding that the market is very different from what it was ten years ago. At this stage, changing jobs is not a one or two month exercise. Expectations are higher, salaries are higher, and companies want clear evidence of value before hiring. It is practical to give yourself a six to nine month window to find the right role. Also, your aspirational title alone is not enough. The market must see a strong and logical fit between your past experience and the role you are targeting. To bring structure to this process, I usually suggest a simple matrix approach. First, list the domains where you have real expertise. There will be one or two core domains where you have deep experience, and a few adjacent domains that you have worked in along the way. For example, someone may have started in cloud computing and later worked on analytics, artificial intelligence, security, or data center initiatives. Next, list the roles you have performed over the years. These are your horizontal capabilities, such as product management, program management, presales, sales, or solution consulting. Some of these will be strong areas where you have led teams and delivered outcomes. Others may be areas where you have partial exposure. Now create a simple matrix with domains on one axis and roles on the other. At each intersection, assess your strength. Where both your domain expertise and role experience are strong, treat that as your primary target. Where you have moderate overlap and can reasonably stretch, treat that as a secondary option. Where the fit is weak or unrealistic, do not spend time targeting those roles. After this, validate demand in the market. Check job portals and company career pages to see which combinations are actually hiring. This step prevents you from applying randomly and helps you focus your networking and referrals on roles where you have both strong fit and visible demand. If you are planning your next move at a leadership level, take the time to build this matrix. Spend a few weeks refining it. Give yourself a six to nine month window. The clarity you gain will reduce anxiety and improve your hit rate significantly. I write about #artificialintelligence | #technology | #startups | #mentoring | #leadership | #financialindependence   PS: All views are personal

Stuck isn’t a place—it’s a mindset. For years, I thought the perfect career would simply find me. Spoiler: it didn’t. It took courage, curiosity, and a few missteps to realize that staying stuck wasn’t an option—and neither is it for you. Here’s the truth: you have the power to rewrite your story. If 2025 feels like the year to pivot, explore, or reignite your passion, here are 25 practical ways to get started: 1. Align with your values: What truly matters to you? 2. Get curious: What sparks your interest? Follow that thread. 3. Reconnect with your network: Reach out to mentors, colleagues, or peers. 4. Experiment: Test-drive new roles or skills through freelance work or volunteering. 5. Create a side project: Showcase your talents on your terms. 6. Invest in learning: Take a course, read a book, or attend a workshop. 7. Job shadow: Observe someone in a role you aspire to. 8. Update your CV and LinkedIn: Tell your story clearly and authentically. 9. Explore new industries: What field has always intrigued you? Dive in. 10. Set realistic goals: Start with small, actionable steps. 11. Join communities: Surround yourself with people who inspire you. 12. Reflect often: Ask yourself, “What’s working? What’s not?” 13. Prioritize self-care: Don’t let burnout derail your journey. 14. Ask for feedback: From colleagues or trusted friends—it’s invaluable. 15. Attend industry events: Meet people and learn what’s trending. 16. Embrace imperfections: No job (or career pivot) will be flawless. 17. Find a mentor: A guide can make all the difference. 18. Use online resources: Platforms like LinkedIn Learning or Coursera are gold mines. 19. Research company cultures: Do they align with your values? 20. Develop soft skills: Communication, adaptability, and empathy are timeless. 21. Track your progress: Celebrate every step forward. 22. Stay flexible: Your dream job might look different than you imagine. 23. Consider coaching: A career coach can provide clarity and structure. 24. Take risks: Growth lives outside your comfort zone. 25. Keep going: The journey to your dream career is worth it. I’ve seen it firsthand: when you take brave, intentional steps, amazing opportunities unfold. So, if you’re feeling stuck, don’t wait for the perfect moment. Take one small step today. Who knows? Your next big adventure might be closer than you think. 💬 What’s one thing you’ve done to get ‘unstuck’ in your career? ♻️ Think this post could help someone in your network? Share it! 👋🏼 Hey, I’m Utkarsh—Executive Coach and lifelong learner. I share insights on leadership, growth, and living courageously. Follow along for more thoughts and strategies.

Before you say “yes” to that new job, pause and think beyond the obvious. A higher salary is exciting. A bigger title feels validating. But careers are not built on titles and paychecks alone, they’re shaped by strategy, alignment, and long-term vision. Not every opportunity that shines is truly gold. Ask yourself: 🆗What am I really moving towards; growth or just relief? 🆗Does this role align with my long-term goals and values? 🆗What is the culture like, and will I thrive in it? 🆗Am I gaining skills that will still matter 5–10 years from now? Especially if you’re 40+, every move carries more weight. At this stage, decisions should be intentional, not emotional. The margin for “trial and error” gets smaller, and the importance of stability, purpose, and legacy grows stronger. A strategic move considers: Growth over glamour. Purpose over pressure. Sustainability over short-term gain. Sometimes the best decision is not the most attractive one, it’s the one that positions you wisely for the future. Move with clarity. Move with intention. Move with strategy.

One of the talks I’ve given to a few teams internally at Microsoft is “PMing your career”. Mid-career is the perfect time to step back, see yourself as a ‘product,’ and start managing your career with intention and strategy. Here are 5 axioms I use as part of the frame: ➡️1. Treat your career as a Product with a strategic fit: Every high-performing professional has a unique value proposition. Regularly assess your Personal Product-Market Fit (PMF) to ensure that your strengths, skills, and how you’re positioning them align with the needs of your industry and your company. Strong careers, like great products, adapt to stay relevant and strategically fit. This helps you identify places you might need to grow too. ➡️2. Your resume is (kind-of) Product Review Document (PRD): Like a PRD highlights a product’s features, your resume should capture your top achievements and core skills. Keep it current and aligned with your goals, showcasing how your career product has evolved. ➡️3. Use feedback as your career “Customer Review”: Just as products thrive on customer feedback, your career benefits from input from mentors, peers, and leaders. Thoughtfully incorporate this feedback to stay aligned with your goals and make strategic improvements. ➡️4. Set a career Roadmap: Map out your career with a focus on strategy and clear goals. These checkpoints – skills to gain, connections to build, and roles to pursue – keep you moving toward your vision of success and position you for future opportunities. Ask others who have already taken the path what the checkpoints are. ➡️5. Embrace phases as part of your strategy: Like product lifecycles, careers have phases. In early roles, focus on mastering foundational skills; as you advance, lean into influence and decision-making; and eventually, hone discernment for opportunities. Each stage strengthens your overall career strategy. Hope this helps you today

Personally, I make time to “take stock” of how I am feeling about my career twice a year. I talk with my mentors and I ask for honest feedback. I update my resume and include my latest accomplishments. I am always ready for what is next – are you? If the answer is no, then never fear! Here are 7 tips to help you get yourself there: ⭐ Reflect on your career goals – Where do you want to be in 2, 5, 10 years? Ask yourself, am I on pace? Have my goals changed? Because they do you know – life happens – good and not so good things happen and that affects our goals. So, check in on them. ⭐ Update your resume – At a minimum you should pull out your resume and review it annually. Make certain it is updated and includes all your latest accomplishments. ⭐ Check out your LinkedIn profile – All recruiters and employers will check out your profile on LinkedIn so make certain it mimics your resume. If you are actively searching – be sure to toggle “open to work” so recruiters can find you. Submit posts, share articles, seek endorsements and endorse other superstars, and write your own content. Give people a little insight into who you are and what you care about. ⭐ Speaking of recruiters – Take their call or respond to their email! You may not be interested, but how will you know if you don’t have the conversation? I always respond because I am curious and want to know what is happening in our industry. And sometimes I am surprised by an opportunity. Remember you do not have to be actively looking to have these conversations. ⭐ Ask for an informational interview – If there is an organization that you care about, set up a short interview. Ask them more about the organization and their future direction. Ask what employees love about their organization and what makes a strong candidate. Be bold and ask if there are/will be future opportunities. I love talking about my organization and my teams so when people reach out to me, I take their calls and make time for them. It is impressive to me that they had gumption and took initiative. ⭐ Keep growing as a professional – Never stop learning. It is so important to stay on top of what is happening in our industry. Read the Chronicle of Philanthropy or CASE Currents or any other industry publication. Read fundraising, leadership and management books. You can’t look only to the headlines for your news – go deeper. Take classes. Go to conferences. ⭐ Build a professional network – I started building my network of colleagues when I began my career at my very first CASE conference and I have added to it and curated it as I have grown in my career. It is this group of people who I turn to when I have questions and challenges. We share information freely and keep a pulse on the things that matter to us in our industry. This is the group I turn to when I need more information before making a decision. They are my people and if you are as blessed as I am, then they are there for you when it counts. By Angie Joens

I was recently sitting with a new professional who had reached out to learn more about my journey. They asked a question that was both wonderful talking about and hard to reflect on. Our journeys are all our own, but there’s a couple thoughts I share frequently. 1. Your path is your own. So often I hear people telling individuals “what” to do. I honestly don’t think that is as helpful as talking about the “how.” My how involves being willing to move, thoughtfully cultivating extra experiences even when it meant more work in my early career, engagement with professional associations, and connecting with individuals who hold roles you might be interested in. 2. Build your sounding board of champions and truth tellers AND know when to turn to who. There’s lots of conversation, books, and literature on mentors vs sponsors vs advocates. Call it what you want…here is what I’ve always looked for and prioritized in people I turn to. You need a couple people who are your cheerleaders who you can just turn to so you can share frustrations and are there for support. You also need some truth tellers who are going to tell you when you messed up, need to apologize, or are just wrong. You also need to know who to call when. I have people who are both and more for me, but again you need to build a sounding board that will both support you, check you, and help you get to where you are going. 3. Be willing to shift to grow. I left my role as a Director to move into fundraising to build a skill and explore what I really wanted in my career. That shift helped me affirm student affairs and gave me a unique skill set most folks in my field don’t have. I took an $8,000 pay cut to go from Advancement to my Assistant Dean job. 2 years later, I land a dream job and increase my salary by more than my first job in Student Affairs paid. They were strategic choices (with maybe a little too much emotion in them) that helped me to progress on my path. 4. Build your network! Maybe I shouldn’t have left this to the end because I believe it’s probably the most important thing I’d offer. Your network matters. As a mid-level person, I suggest starting to build relationships with search firms. At every level, I suggest connecting with folks whose content and work you admire and respect. At any and every point, finding ways to build relationships through informational interviews, professional service to associations, and your local community. You’d be surprised how fruitful the relationships can be along the way. At the end of the day, these are one persons musings. These are how I have and will continue to approach my career pathing. I’d also love to hear other thoughts because the power of LinkedIn comes from the engaged community of folks engaging.

A recent conversation with a mentee trying to navigate the next steps in their career reminded me of an essential rule I always emphasize: You own your career, therefore you have to be in the driver's seat. They recently received some feedback from their manager that was confusing as it didn’t align with previous feedback. The conversation on next steps was very vague. Reality check: waiting for clear guidance or validation from others can leave you stuck in neutral. Instead, you must proactively manage your own career path. Here are a few things I suggested: 1. Do a Self-Assessment You need to understand your strengths, weaknesses, passions, and career aspirations. Identify what excites you and where you see yourself in the future. Remember they can all change due to new experiences and gaining new skillsets. 2. Seek Constructive Feedback While feedback from leadership is valuable, it’s important to triangulate. Reach out to mentors, peers, and others in your function that you admire for their insights. Feedback is just one piece of the puzzle. Use it as a tool for improvement, not as a definitive roadmap. You never know when you might run into an unconscious bias. 3. Continuous Learning and Development I’m ever curious and always looking for learning opportunities. Look for opportunities to learn from other functions. The business world is continusly changing, and staying on top of the game, requires investing time to learn. Stay informed about your current industry trends but also look for best practices in others. 4. Advocate for Yourself People can’t read your mind, so they don’t know what your career goals and aspirations are. Don’t be afraid to articulate them to your leadership. Express your interest in new projects, responsibilities, or roles that align with your goals. 5. Adaptability and Resilience Career paths are rarely linear. My own has been a lattice. Be adaptable. Embrace challenges and view setbacks as learning experiences. Being in the driver's seat of your career means taking an intentional role in your professional development. While others can give you guidance, the ultimate responsibility for your career lies with you. What else would you tell him?