There may not be such a thing as a perfect job, but you can take these five steps to help you identify a career that fits what you want and need.
The reality of today’s world of work is that your job could end tomorrow, no matter how valuable you are or how secure you think your job is.
No one’s job is safe any longer. This is why you want to take steps today to proactively manage your career.
Don’t let a layoff derail your career or self-confidence. Instead, focus your career trajectory in terms of what you learned and how you have overcome challenges.
Today’s workforce is volatile, and employers are looking for employees who demonstrate learning agility and resilience.
1. Identify Your Impact
Hiring managers and executive recruiters want to know how you will solve their problems, not just that you can do the job. This is why you want to pinpoint your motivation PLUS the business case for hiring you.
- What do you love doing within your role?
- What motivates you to go to work?
- What types of people do you enjoy working with?
- What kinds of problems do you like to solve?
- What has been one of your most memorable accomplishments?
- What complex problems do I solve that others struggled with?
These are not easy questions. However, they are absolutely the most important ones to answer first!
2. What Would Your Job Look Like?
Before you start searching the job boards, identify what you want from your next job.
- Would you go to an office?
- What would the office look like?
- What kinds of people would work there?
- How would your day be structured/how would you spend your time?
- What kinds of things would you be doing?
- Who would you report to?
- How would you like to be compensated?
- What recognition would you need to feel good about the work you do?
Answer these questions without filtering out answers. Just put the answers on the paper for now.
3. Define Your Value Proposition
Career success for mid-level workers isn’t just about what you’ve done; it’s about the return on investment you bring to an organization. Instead of listing duties, clearly articulate the specific business outcomes you drive.
- What complex, high-stakes problems do you solve that others struggle to crack?
- How do your specific contributions directly impact the company’s bottom line or operational efficiency?
- Which industries or functions currently have a high demand for the specific “Return on People” you offer?
Reframing your experience in terms of business impact positions you as an essential problem-solver, not just another resume.
As a career coach for experienced professionals, I see the most success when candidates shift from ‘applicant’ to ‘consultant.’ Stop listing duties and start quantifying the ROI you bring to a business.
4. Transferable Skills
Many of the skills you use today can translate into different roles. In some cases, you may not even realize the skills you have.
Create a list of skills you enjoy using and think you’re good at. Then create a list of skills you want to develop or improve. (For a listing of occupational skills, visit ONet or LinkedIn’s Career Explorer.)
You can also use ChatGPT or Claude to help you identify skills used in your past job.
Reminder: You are inventorying skills you enjoy using.
5. Strategic Market Intelligence
Now you are ready to run this information by people you know and trust. But don’t stop there. Talk to people who hold roles you are interested in. Ask them for their advice on where your skills and background might fit. This will allow you to create yet another list of ideas to pursue.
When having these conversations, you should also ask about the current challenges they face in their role/industry. This will provide you with valuable insights.
Each of these conversations helps you gather information about the viability of your career transition and potential companies of interest to you.
💡Consider having conversations with executive recruiters to gain market insights. Plus, many professional associations offer resources on salary and market data, including job boards.
There’s No Easy Button or Magic Wand
There is no magic wand to help you find the perfect job.
But there are assessments; some are free, some are not. But even an assessment will not be able to tell you exactly what you should do next. It will provide options and it’s up to you to research and determine what those careers are.
Why Do You Need To Do This?
Job titles vary from company to company, making it difficult to find what you are looking for. And over the years, the functions within jobs changed. This can be based on technology or other changes in the industry.
To find a good match for your background and values, you will need to be very clear about what you enjoy doing, are good at, and what problems you solve. This allows you to pursue jobs that align with your vision of what’s next.
The Bottom Line
Finding a fulfilling job means there is always more than one “correct” answer.
The good news is, no one says you have to do your next job for the rest of your life. If you don’t like it, you can leave!
Taking these steps to assess your next career move requires careful thinking about what you want. The process of exploring is part of how you’ll learn about the options. Enjoy what you discover and who you meet along the way!
Hannah Morgan speaks and writes about job search and career strategies. She founded CareerSherpa.net to educate professionals on how to maneuver through today’s job search process. Hannah was nominated as a LinkedIn Top Voice in Job Search and Careers and is a regular contributor to US News & World Report. She has been quoted by media outlets, including Forbes, USA Today, Money Magazine, Huffington Post, as well as many other publications. She is also author of The Infographic Resume and co-author of Social Networking for Business Success.
