Identifying Your Career Goals

7 Simple Steps To Figure Out What Jobs Are Right For You: 1. Many Job Seekers Struggle With Clarity They don’t know which career path is right for them. Or they don’t know what specific jobs in which industries are a good match for their skills. If that resonate with you, this process is going to help you get answers (and build relationships that can lead to referrals)! 2. Start With An Energy Mapping Exercise Draw a line down the middle of a piece of paper. Label one side “energy creators” and the other “energy drainers.” Now make a list of every task, project, and initiative you’ve been part of over the past 2-5 years. Assign each to the category that best describes the flow of energy you felt while working on that project. 3. Identify Connections In “Energy Creating” Roles Carve out time to reflect on your list of connections - colleagues (past and present), friends, classmates, etc. Who is working in a role that seems or feels like it might focus on the tasks that bring you energy? You don’t have to nail it 100%, you can simply go with your gut feeling. The important thing is to come up with a list of about 5-10 people. 4. Reach Out To Those Connections Send them a note and mention that you’re currently working through some career exploration. You’ve always admired their job and you feel it aligns in X, Y, and Z ways. Then ask them if they’d be up for a quick conversation so you can learn more about the role, the industry, etc. 5. Ask Good Questions Make sure to prepare a list of questions that will allow you to get a deeper sense of what this role is all about:  - What’s your favorite part about working in [Job Title]?  - What’s something most people don’t know about [Job Title] that you feel strongly about?  - What are the biggest drawbacks of working as a [Job Title]?  - What’s the coolest thing you’ve worked on in the last 6-12 months? 6. If You Feel The Role Is A Fit? Ask This. If you feel like the role might be a fit? Let your contact know! Then ask them if they’d be willing to introduce you to 1-2 more people in the same field so you can keep learning. That will get you warm introductions to other people in the space who can give you a new perspective and help you build your network. 7. If You Feel The Role Is Not A Fit? Ask This. If you feel like the role might not be a fit? Be honest with your contact, share what you’re looking for, and ask if they know of a role or discipline that fits. Ex: “I love X part of this role, but I feel that Y and Z don’t align with my strengths. Is there a role or field that focuses more on X?” Now they can point you in the right direction. 8. Set The Right Expectations You’re going to find many, many more roles that aren’t a fit. It’s going to take some time to hone in on the ones that are. Don’t expect completely clarity in one or two conversations. Instead, set the expectation for 10-20 conversations before you really begin to find things that feel like a fit.

Several months ago, a client took a 25% pay cut for a RAISE in PEACE.🎉 (Update: Internal Director promo in Jan🙌🏾) Her company had recently been sold and she started reporting to a new leader with a very different approach to leading. 😅 The new leader: • Demanded long hours, with employees often working nights and weekends • Used passive-aggressive communication tactics, making veiled criticisms • Refused to share clear criteria for success, leaving employees confused • Micromanaged and didn't empower employees to take ownership In our coaching, we focused on prioritizing growth and her overall happiness. While regaining a Sr. Leadership role IS the ultimate goal, we determined that immediately finding more peace in her current situation was an option worth exploring. We used data from her experiences to cross-interview the leadership team, assessing the company culture and opportunities for professional development by asking questions like: • What are the working norms and expectations around responsiveness/availability? • How are goals and success metrics determined and communicated? • How does the leadership team empower employees and foster autonomy? • What professional development resources are available for career growth? Tip: We rephrased these questions for each interviewer to accurately compare and contrast. She also did an extensive check on the company online and via DM with present and past employees. Contrary to popular belief, toxic workplaces don't always present as overt hostility, but can manifest as subtle undermining. While she is stepping back, it's to launch forward - she is on the path to be right-sized back to a trajectory to VP in one year as the org expands. [Update: She's now on track for a Director promotion internally in January 2025, one step closer to her VP goal as we work together.] Here's what I want YOU to take from this: The path to a promotion is not always linear. Sometimes it looks like stepping back to reevaluate the next play to accelerate 🚀 once you're PROPERLY POSITIONED. Remember: Strategically 'waiting time' is never wasted time.

One of my coaching clients just called me with a career dilemma. "Marcus, I have three offers on the table. One pays $25K more than the others. It's a no brainer, right?" Wrong. Over the last decade, I've watched too many sales professionals chase the highest initial offer only to burn out, get laid off, or quit within 12 months. Why? Because they never looked at the full picture. Here's the exact decision framework I shared with him (and use myself): 1️⃣ Leadership Quality: Will your direct boss push you to grow? Will they advocate for you? Will they teach you? The quality of your leader will impact your career trajectory more than any other factor. 2️⃣ Company Trajectory: Is this company on the way up or down? What's their financial position? What's their reputation in the market? A 10% pay bump means nothing if the company does layoffs in 6 months. 3️⃣ Values Alignment: Can you authentically represent this company? Do they make decisions you respect? Will you be proud to tell people where you work? 4️⃣ Growth Ceiling: What's the highest position you could realistically achieve at this company? What skills will you develop? How marketable will you be in 3 years? 5️⃣ Work-Life Integration: Will this role support the life you want to build? Will it demand 80-hour weeks? Will it require constant travel? My client ended up taking the middle offer ($150K) because the leadership was elite, the company was growing 70% YoY, and the path to director was clear. The right career decisions compound over time. $25K might seem like a lot today, but the right leadership, skills, and trajectory can be worth millions over your career. Make decisions with the long term in mind. — Hey sales pro…are you prepping for a job interview? Lemme help you: https://lnkd.in/gQvZJZsk

Early in my career, I faced a moment many of us dread: A sudden, unexpected company reorganization. It seemed like overnight ➟ my role ➟ my team ➟ my daily tasks were all up in the air. I remember the anxiety. The flurry of rumors. The uncertainty. They clouded my thoughts about the future. But it was in this chaos that I found clarity. I realized that change, though daunting, also brings opportunities for growth. I wrote an article on this for Harvard Business Review. Here are 5 actions you can take when your professional life is unpredictable: 1. Embrace the Uncertainty Use periods of change as a catalyst for introspection. Reflect on what truly matters to you and your future. 2. Define Your Identity Think about who you need to be... Not just what you need to do. 3. Focus on the Process Establish and commit to positive career behaviors. It gives you a sense of control and leads to results. Examples: • Contribute in each team meeting • Expand your network every week  • Offer a strategic idea to leadership monthly • Take on a stretch opportunity once a quarter • Thank a coworker for something helpful every day 4. Cultivate Learning Agility Be ready to adapt. Stay curious. Embrace new ideas. This mindset isn't just to survive; it helps you thrive. 5. Ask for and Act on Feedback Regularly seek feedback. Take time to reflect on it. It's crucial to know where you're growing. And where you need to improve. Change can be scary. But it's also a chance to reset. To pivot. You may discover new paths you hadn't noticed before. Remember... It's not the strongest or most intelligent who survive. It's those who can best manage change. Lean into the uncertainty. Use it as a stepping stone. Build a career that's not just successful, but also aligned with who you truly are. Find this valuable? Repost ♻️ to share with others.  Thank you! P.S. What keeps you going when things get uncertain?

Yesterday I took the entire revenue team (sales, cs, marketing) off the floor for out for a very specific training. Goal Setting. Yep. The entire org for over 60 min together learning how to set and achieve goals. I do this 2x a year with my teams. Why? Because most people never accomplish their goals because they never actually set them and never actually create a plan to achieve them. I've gotten pretty dang good at setting goals. I've gotten pretty dang good at achieving goals. It makes life so much more fun. So here are the key concepts I teach in goal settting. 1. Set a goal in each of the 5 buckets. Self. Health. Wealth. Proffessional. Experience. 2. Identify the Keystone Goal - Which goal if achieved will have the biggest impact on all the rest. 3. Who do you need to BE in order to achieve this goal - How would this person act, work, communicate, behave, etc 4. What do you need to BELIEVE to achieve this goal - this combined with number 3 is where we create our affirmations. 5. Why do you want this goal - aka what will change in your world when you achieve it - If nothing changes... nothing changes. 6. What are you done dealing with now/whats the negative of NOT achieving your goal - Having a negative is important when things get hard. 7. Why you Why Now - Why are you capable of achieving this goal, what traits, resources, etc do you have that allow you to believe you can do this. 8. What are your 3x3s - 3 things daily, weekly, and monthly that if done will give you your best shot at achieving - Example - Put workout clothes out the night before with the alarm across the room - that would be a good daily for health 9. Make it visual - Vision boards (we will be doing this in a couple weeks as a team) - but also visualize it each morning, each evening, not just the accomplishing of the goal, but the process to achieve it. 10. Accountability - Share it with people that not only want to see you win, but also with people that won't allow you to lose/will hold you to the fire. --- All written out by each individual and then my challenge to them is to read it every morning and every night for 60 days. Watch what happens when you do. A team that sets goals together, wins together. I can't wait to see so many of theirs goals, so many of their affirmations, and so many of their achievements. This is going to be good ya'll. Just wait and see. PS - this is one of the most popular modules in the Sales Leadership Accelerator in fact it's unlocked right out the gate for all members. PPS - I'll be doing this workshop at Pavilion GTM in a few weeks as well here in Austin. Lets set and smash some goals ya'll!

Your next chapter doesn’t have to fit what’s already out there. In fact, it shouldn’t. After decades of climbing the corporate ladder, you’ve proven yourself. You’ve led teams, built businesses, delivered results. But now, you’re asking: Is this it? You’ve outgrown the roles you’ve played. The corporate politics, bureaucracy, endless meetings... it’s not where your energy belongs anymore. You’re craving something more meaningful, more aligned, more you. Here’s the truth: Your next chapter isn’t about following the old playbook. It’s about creating your own. The world needs your unique vision, shaped by decades of insights, experiences, passions. The problems you’ve always wanted to solve? Those are the seeds of your next, most fulfilling work. So ask yourself: 👉 What’s the one thing you wish existed in the world? 👉 What’s the problem you can’t stop thinking about? 👉 What would you create if you weren’t bound by what’s “practical”? Those answers are your North Star. And while stepping into the unknown might feel daunting... your career proves you’re no stranger to bold moves. What got you here will propel you forward. Here’s How to Get Started: 1. Reimagine What’s Possible Most executives default to familiar roles. Ask: If there were no rules, what would I create? Reflect on what truly matters to you. Identify gaps in the world. What frustrates or excites you? Sketch your vision, even if it feels rough. Clarity grows with action. 2. Reverse Engineer the Path     Big visions are built step by step. You didn’t reach where you are now by winging it, and your next chapter will benefit from the same strategic approach. Define success: What does it look like in 6 months, 1 year, 5 years? Identify your non-negotiables: time, income, autonomy, and impact. Build a plan that balances creativity with practicality. 3. Surround Yourself with the Right Support     This isn’t a solo mission. Success in this phase requires the right people: mentors, peers, guides. Those who’ve navigated similar transitions. Instead of asking: “What do I need to do?” Ask: “Who do I need in my corner?” Your legacy isn’t about maintaining the status quo. It’s about creating something only you can bring to life. Yes, the path ahead will challenge you. Rethinking. Unlearning. Growing. And the reward? A life and career built on your terms. Work that aligns with your purpose, creates meaningful impact, and gives you the freedom to spend your time how... and with whom... you want. So, I’ll ask again: What’s the one thing you wish existed in the world? Stop waiting for someone else to build it. That someone is you. If this resonates, let’s connect. CreateNext Group (formerly Career Attraction) specializes in helping senior executives design their next chapter with clarity, confidence, and financial stability. Let’s create what’s next—on your terms.

If you win enough hours, you win the day. If you win enough days, you win the week. If you win enough weeks, you win the month. If you win enough months, you win the year. If you win enough years, you win the life you’ve always dreamed of. But how do you start winning those hours, days, and weeks, especially when it comes to your data job search? Here’s a simple, actionable plan to help you get there: 1) Start with Winning the Hour: - Set a 1-hour task: Dedicate the first hour of your day to something that moves the needle—like applying for jobs, practicing coding on LeetCode, or working on a portfolio project. - Micro-goals: Break down your goals into micro-goals that you can complete in an hour. For example, gathering a list of people to research and network with. 2) Win the Day: - Daily Priorities: Identify the 3 most important tasks for your job search. For example: Apply to 3-5 jobs. Send 10 networking messages. Add X feature into personal project. - Reflect and Adjust: Spend 5 minutes at the end of the day reflecting on what worked and what didn’t. Adjust your strategy for tomorrow. 3)Win the Week: - Weekly Goals: Set weekly goals that align with your job search strategy. For example: Secure 1 informational interview. Complete 1 portfolio project milestone. Engage in 3 LinkedIn discussions to build your network. - Track Progress: Use a simple spreadsheet or app to track your progress on these weekly goals. 4) Win the Month: -Monthly Review: At the end of the month, review your progress. Did you meet your goals? What challenges did you face? Use this time to tweak your approach for the next month. -Celebrate Wins: Acknowledge even the small wins, like a positive response from a networking message or completing a tough coding challenge. 5) Win the Year: -Set Annual Goals: What do you want to achieve by the end of the year? Is it landing a specific role, mastering a new tool, or building a personal brand on LinkedIn? - Break these down into quarterly and monthly goals. Consistency is Key: Remember, consistency in your efforts will compound over time, leading to greater success. As soon as I learned this lesson about winning the hour, I started hitting more of my long-term goals faster. Whether it was breaking into data, becoming a digital nomad, or replacing my data science income, it all started with making the most of the next hour. The Takeaway: Winning your dream life starts with winning the next hour. Consistently putting in the effort—whether it’s applying for jobs, networking, or learning new skills—will add up to big results over time. What’s your top tip for hitting your goals faster? Share it in the comments so we can all learn and grow together! ---------- ➕ Follow Jaret André for more actionable data job search tips. 🔔 Hit the bell icon to be notified of new strategies to land your next role.

“I don’t know what I want to do with my career…” Let’s just go ahead and normalize this. Because more people are here than you think. And not just once, sometimes multiple times throughout their lives. (I know I’ve been here. More than once.) But the part we don’t talk about enough? The HOW. → How do you figure out what you actually want? → What fits? → What makes sense for your life now? So here’s what I’ve learned from being that person and helping other people work through this same exact thing: 1. Stop trying to force yourself to pick a job title. - Scrolling job boards hoping something clicks? - That usually leads to frustration. - Truth is, most of us don’t even know how to name what we’re looking for. Start by asking: → What kinds of problems do I enjoy solving? → What work has felt most like me, even if the title didn’t reflect it? → What do people always ask me for help with? 2. Look at the why behind your past roles (and other parts of your life). → What were you brought in to do? → What made you feel useful or alive? → What did you outgrow, and what did that teach you? Your career has patterns. You just haven’t been taught how to read them yet. 3. Use this filter: Pay. Power. Peace. → Can you live off it? → Do your strengths actually matter here? → Can you breathe? If it doesn’t hit at least 2 of the 3, it’s probably not it. 4. Don’t just run to quit your job, run small experiments. You don’t need to burn it all down. You need data. → Try a course. → Join a project outside your usual lane. → Ask someone, “What do you actually do in your role?” Clarity is built in motion—not in your head. 5. Keep a “Could-Be-Me” list. Every time something lights you up, write it down. Then ask: → Why does this resonate? → What strengths do I already have? → What would I need to build? No pressure. Just explore. 6. Create a Career Criteria list. Think beyond the job. Ask: → What kind of life do I want? → Flexibility or structure? → Am I best front-and-center or behind the scenes? → What are my absolute no’s? You’re not trying to fit into a job, you’re building a career that fits you. Let me say this: If you’re in the “I have no clue what I want to do” season… -You’re not broken. -You’re not late. -You’re just being honest with yourself. And that’s where real clarity begins. If you want support figuring it out with guidance, strategy, and real community, I got you. Drop “PATH” in the comments or DM me and I’ll send you the info to join the P.A.T.H. Forward™ Community. You’re not behind. You’re in the middle of realignment. And that’s brave as hell. 💥 _______________ Join the P.A.T.H. Forward Community: https://lnkd.in/gDMj8V5r Hi, I’m Erica Rivera, CPCC, CPRW. 👋 Voice-finder. Story-shaper. Career strategist. I help you untangle the career story you were handed — and rewrite it in a way that aligns with your values, your vision, and your next chapter.

I transitioned from my W2 to my entrepreneurial dream in 3 years, you can too…   Tired of setting goals that never materialize? While audacious goals (BHAGs) are crucial, translating them into actionable steps is the key to success. Here's how to fuel your ambition: Action Ignites the Spark: Inspiration fuels the initial fire, but consistent effort and discipline keep it burning. Small Wins, Big Impact: Celebrate progress, no matter the size. Aim for 1% better each day—it compounds over time! Momentum Builds Confidence: Each step forward builds belief in yourself and propels you closer to your goals. My Framework for Actionable Goals: 1. Define 3 Yearly Goals: Start with broad goals that are specific enough to guide your actions. 2. Quarterly Initiatives: Break each goal into 3-4 achievable steps for each quarter. 3. Regular Reviews: Schedule quarterly check-ins to assess progress and adapt your initiatives. 4. Continuous Improvement: Use reviews to plan future steps and maintain flexibility. Remember: Every action, however small, brings you closer to your dreams. Now, let's get real! What steps are YOU taking today to bridge the gap between your aspirations and reality?

Hey there, it’s me, your coach Nina, how are you today? Are you feeling overwhelmed by the exciting but vast possibilities in your career? Society, your parents, friends, strangers on social media, and even your own expectations have all been suggesting paths you “should” take professionally. If you're intellectually curious and enjoy learning, you likely have a strong drive to grow already. You might already have some ideas about where you want to go and how to get there. However, with endless possibilities and only 24 hours in a day, it's important to have a focused and sustainable approach to your career development, one that prevents overwhelm and burnout. Here are some strategies to consider: 1️⃣ List out your career goals: What do you really want in your career? Is it money, title, creative freedom, influence, fame, or making an impact? In my early career I wanted to get promoted because the society says so, but after a few years I started to optimize for learning new experiences (hence jumping from corporate to startup to stand up a new team.) 2️⃣ Figure out your why: understand why you want to achieve something adds meaning and boosts motivation. Are you aiming for FIRE (financial independence to retire early), seeking respect as a manager, or craving intellectual exploration? 3️⃣ Define success: know your destination helps you figure out what resources or skills you need to get there. For instance, aspiring to be a people manager might require learning how to inspire others. 4️⃣ Identify the resources you need: Just like planning a trip, you need to know what to pack for your career journey. Determine the skills or knowledge necessary for your dream role. 5️⃣ Choose how to learn: Different people prefer different learning methods—reading, visual cues, podcasts, or hands-on experience. Find what works best for you and experiment if you're unsure. 6️⃣ Practice: Apply your new skills whenever possible. Shadow others, volunteer for projects, and actively develop the competencies you need. 7️⃣ Reflect regularly: Set a monthly reminder to assess your progress and adjust your strategies if needed. 8️⃣ Seek accountability: Remember the saying, "If you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together." Find a mentor, friend, or a coach friend to support and hold you accountable. What strategies have you used or would you recommend to feel less overwhelmed and more empowered in your career growth? #careerdevelopment #professionaldevelopment #midcareer