Tips for Strategic Career Planning

Most people think career success comes from making the perfect decision. It doesn’t. It comes from making timely, values-aligned ones. Especially when the next step feels unclear. One of my clients, a brilliant VP, spent 3 months stuck on a single choice: “Do I speak up about being overlooked, or wait for my work to speak for itself?” She called it strategic patience. But it was really fear disguised as overthinking. We ran it through this framework. She made the call. Six weeks later, her promotion was fast-tracked. She was finally seen, heard, and most importantly, included. Because here’s what I tell every high-achiever I coach: You don’t need more time to decide. You need a better way to decide. Try the 2-Minute Decision Framework™ (Career Edition): 1. QUICK DECISIONS → Handle it NOW For low-stakes tasks that clog your mental bandwidth: → Can you respond to that email in < 2 minutes? → Is the request low risk and easily reversible? → Are you spiraling on something that just needs action? ✅ Do it. Momentum builds trust and confidence. (Your career doesn’t stall in the big moves, it drips away through tiny indecisions.) 2. TEAM DECISIONS → Resolve it TODAY For collaborative work or project bottlenecks: → Who’s recommending this approach? → Who’s doing the work? → Who’s accountable for the final call? ✍️ Assign roles. Align expectations. Move forward. (Most team confusion comes from no one knowing who’s driving.) Use this anytime you’re: – Leading a cross-functional project – Navigating performance reviews – Building team trust through shared clarity 3. CAREER DECISIONS → Make it THIS WEEK For decisions that affect your growth, visibility, and voice: Use the 3–2–1 Method: → 3 options: Brainstorm career paths, scripts, or solutions → 2 perspectives: Ask two mentors, not the whole internet → 1 call: Choose the path aligned with your long game 🎯 Clarity > complexity. Every time. This works for: – Deciding whether to advocate for a raise or promotion – Considering a lateral move for growth – Navigating visibility or speaking up on tough issues The truth is: courageous careers aren’t built on perfect plans. They’re built on small, aligned decisions made with intention. That’s C.H.O.I.C.E.® in action. So here’s your coaching moment: 🔥 Pick one decision you’ve been avoiding. Run it through the framework. Make the call within the next hour. Then ask yourself: What changed when I finally decided? ❓ What’s one career decision you’ve been sitting on too long? Share it below, or DM me, and we’ll run it through together. 🔖 Save this for your next “Should I…?” moment 👥 Tag someone who needs this framework in their toolkit Because alignment isn’t found in overthinking. It’s built through C.H.O.I.C.E.®. ➕ Follow Loren Rosario - Maldonado, PCC for tools that actually work in real life. #CareerCoaching #LeadershipDevelopment

Thinking about a career change? Here’s how to actually make it happen, step by step. I’ve spoken with hundreds of people stuck between “I don’t want to do this anymore” and “But where do I even start?” Here’s the truth: Changing careers isn’t about starting over. It’s about repackaging what you already know, and proving you can solve a new set of problems. Here’s how to do it (with examples): 1. Start with your story. What’s pulling you away from your current path—and what’s pulling you forward? ✅ Example: “I’ve spent 6 years in education, but what I really loved was designing systems and learning tools. I’m now pivoting into UX design for edtech.” Make the shift clear and intentional. 2. Identify your transferable skills. You’ve built real value, name it. ✅ Example: Sales → Relationship-building, persuasion, handling objections Ops → Process design, cross-functional collaboration, execution List your strongest 4–6 skills and align them with your new target role. 3. Learn the language of the new industry. Every field has its own lingo. Start speaking it. ✅ Tip: Search 10 job listings in your target role. Write down the top 5 repeated words/phrases. Mirror those in your LinkedIn, resume, and pitch. 4. Rewrite your resume to match the direction, not the past. Lead with relevance, not chronology. ✅ Example: Add a “Career Summary” section: “Operations leader transitioning into product management, with 7+ years leading cross-functional teams, driving process improvements, and delivering results.” 5. Build proof fast. Don’t wait to get hired to show your skills. ✅ Options: Freelance Volunteer Build your own project Take a short course and create a case study Demonstrate that you’re not just interested, but also taking action. 6. Apply smart, not just often. Instead of applying everywhere, focus on quality roles in flexible environments. ✅ Pro tip: Use DailyRemote to find legit, remote-friendly roles across industries. It’s especially helpful for career changers who want fresh opportunities and a bit more breathing room. 7. Network with purpose. Start with conversations, not asks. ✅ DM example: “Hi Alex, I saw your post about transitioning into UX. I’m making a similar shift from content strategy. Would love to hear about your journey, no pressure at all.” Career changes take courage. But they’re absolutely possible. You’re not starting from scratch. You’re starting from experience. Now package it with purpose, and go get what’s next.

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

There are two schools of thought about how to transform your career. One is the traditional plan-and-implement approach. Reflect on what you're good at and what you want. Research what's out there based on your experience. Weigh the pros and cons of all options. Build and execute a plan to achieve your goal. This path has served many of us well, but for others, it's panic-inducing. The plan-and-execute approach assumes you know exactly what you want to do and who you want to become. For most of us, life is not linear, and our self-concept is not singular. We're interested in many career paths, so starting a journey toward one pre-determined destination might feel limiting. What if we choose the wrong destination? Think of all that wasted energy, time, and maybe even money and reputation. It's easy to see why many avoid career transformations even when wildly discontent. The second approach to career transformation—test-and-learn—is, in my view, more liberating. Rather than commit to one path upfront, you 'flirt with your possible selves' and explore new identities until you find one that aligns with your values, interests, and skills. So, what does the test-and-learn approach look like in practice? ✍ Make a list of all the possible careers you might explore. Ask yourself, "What if?" and "Would I enjoy doing X? Could I be good at Y? Would I be able to make a living doing Z?" What intrigues you? Think broadly about the range of possibilities. What did you long to do or be when you were a child? What are you afraid to put out into the universe but secretly dream of? Write it down. ✍ Next, review the list and identify the fastest, lowest-cost experiments to try first. Remember, you're not making a complete career change. These experiments could be a side project, a temporary assignment, a new credential, taking a course, or doing advisory work at a nonprofit. Or, keep it simple—network with people in a new field, talk to recruiters in the industries you're interested in or write every day for 10 minutes for a year. The key is to start somewhere small and learn as you go. ✍ Know what you're going to measure. Determine what you'll evaluate and what data you'll collect to help you refine your choices further over time. ✍ Inventory your fears. What are you most afraid of? The goal is not to overcome your fears while experimenting but to note when they surface. I don't want to oversimplify career transformation—there's more to it than the above steps imply. Eventually, you need a more decisive plan. And, examining your assumptions, narrative, network, non-negotiables, identity, and values are all essential parts of the process. But the above steps, based on Herminia Ibarra's work, are a helpful starting point if you feel stuck.  Need support from a coach who will keep you accountable? Let's chat: https://lnkd.in/gffzAPEW #careertransformation #careerchange

You are the only person who can advocate for your career development, and its probably more important than ever to ensure you have a plan in place for yourself. Here are a few strategies to consider:   ⭐ Know Your Worth: Take the time to reflect on your skills, accomplishments, and unique strengths. Understand your value and be confident in communicating it to others.   ⭐ Set Clear Goals: Define your short-term and long-term career goals. Be specific and create a roadmap to achieve them. Share these goals with your managers, mentors, or trusted colleagues, so they can support you in your journey.   ⭐ Seek Feedback: Actively seek feedback from your supervisors, colleagues, and mentors. Embrace constructive criticism and use it to fuel your growth. Regularly assess your progress and make adjustments as needed.   ⭐ Network: Build and nurture professional relationships both within and outside your organization. Attend industry events, join relevant LinkedIn groups, and engage in conversations with professionals in your field. These connections can provide valuable insights and open doors to new opportunities.   ⭐ Be Proactive: Don't wait for opportunities to come to you; create them. Voice your interests, ask for stretch assignments, and express your desire to take on new responsibilities. Take charge of your career path by seeking out growth opportunities.   Remember, advocating for yourself is not about being pushy or arrogant. It's about recognizing your own value, asserting your needs, and actively pursuing growth opportunities. By advocating for yourself, you can unlock your full potential and shape a fulfilling and successful career.   #CareerDevelopment #AdvocateForYourself #ProfessionalGrowth #UnlockYourPotential #LinkedInCommunity

Without active career management, your remote career will be just as doomed as that of your on-site peers. 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐩𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐢𝐬 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐚 𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐫 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐲.   Here are 10 ways you can stay "top of mind" and be seen as an important, dependable and accessible part of the team who will be considered for important projects and promotions:  1. 𝐄𝐦𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐯𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐨 The introverts among us find more solitude in their work day appealing, but that can quickly backfire. Opt for video meetings where possible. Otherwise, you're out of sight, out of mind.  2. 𝐂𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐞 "𝐖𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐜𝐨𝐨𝐥𝐞𝐫 𝐌𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬" In the absence of a watercooler you have to create moments of connection outside of your meetings. Tag a few minutes on to your meeting and offer a coworker to "hang out". Focus on genuine interest in the other person, their interests, challenges, ideas, etc.  3. 𝐌𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐤 𝐕𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐛𝐥𝐞 If people don't know what you're doing or why you're on the team, you should be frightened. It's your responsibility to change that. You can create a simple overview page or dashboard to share which projects you're working on. Add a segment showcasing the types of questions you can help with so others can see how you add value.  4. 𝐕𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐕𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐬 Identify projects that have high internal visibility, allow you to grow and/or showcase your skills and deliver high value. Cross-functional projects can be great to widen your reach and to get a better understanding of the big picture.  5. 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐝𝐮𝐥𝐞 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐫 𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐩𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 Plan your career development with your manager. You can seek regular feedback and plan stretch goals to further your growth.  6. 𝐒𝐞𝐥𝐟-𝐀𝐝𝐯𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐞 Work doesn't speak for itself. It doesn't have a voice. And people are too busy remembering everything you do. So, humbly share how you are qualified and share how your team solved similar problems or removed roadblocks.  7. 𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐀𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐬  You don’t get what you don’t ask for. If you want support from your manager, ask for it. Be specific about the support you want, e.g. floating your name for a specific project or socializing an idea that needs buy-in.  8. 𝐕𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐞𝐫 𝐒𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭  Ask your manager if there are meetings they’d like you to sit in on or take over. This adds direct value and is a great opportunity to raise your profile with stakeholders you wouldn’t have access to otherwise.  9. 𝐍𝐮𝐫𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐍𝐞𝐭𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤 Set a weekly goal to connect with your colleagues. Your goal is to keep in touch. You can send them a helpful resource, or simply ask how things are going.  10. 𝐁𝐞 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐀𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐀𝐯𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲  Use your messenger status to build trust through transparency. E.g. you can state "out for lunch, back at 1:30PM" instead of just "Away". #remotework #leadership #careerdevelopment

𝗜𝘁 𝗜𝘀 𝗡𝗼𝘁 𝗝𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗔𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗣𝗲𝗿𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 - 𝟱 𝐖𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝗧𝗼 𝗔𝗱𝘃𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗿 - Employees often assume (wrongly) that their hard work and results will be enough when leaders make decisions about their future growth and promotion opportunities. Performance is critical for advancing your career, but it is far from the only reason employees get promoted. 𝟱 𝐖𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐀𝐝𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐫: 𝟭) 𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐩 𝐚 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐫 - Clearly communicate that you desire guidance, feedback, and coaching to improve your performance and development. If you and your manager do not have ongoing conversations about your career development, it is your responsibility to initiate these conversations. Take the responsibility to ask your manager if you can set up quarterly meetings that focus on your performance and ongoing development. Show up prepared to engage with them about your performance, future development, and career aspirations. 𝟮) 𝗔𝗱𝘃𝗼𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗳 Visibility matters, when you have occasion to mention accomplishments to your leaders, do so. Clearly let them know that you enjoyed being involved and that you were excited about your contribution. When you receive compliments from clients or customers, request that they send a note to your manager and their manager. It is okay for you to be an advocate for yourself! 𝟯) 𝐒𝐞𝐞𝐤 𝐟𝐞𝐞𝐝𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐫𝐞𝐠𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐲 - The benefits of receiving feedback include increased self-awareness and improved performance. For you to truly receive honest feedback, they must be deliberate about creating a safe environment by actively giving permission and expressing openness and desire to receive feedback. 𝟰) 𝐁𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤 𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩𝐬 - To be recognized as an individual who can take on greater responsibilities, employees need to demonstrate advanced social and emotional skills that are necessary to navigate important, complex, and relational situations. Companies need employees to be effective at their tasks, contribute to others' performance, and use others' contributions to improve their performance. 𝟱) 𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐚 𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐨𝐫-𝐥𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥 𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐨𝐫 - A senior-level mentor can have a broader view of potential future opportunities, introduce you to their peers, and advocate for development opportunities. Being strategic about navigating your career is not manipulative or inauthentic. If you expect someone else to care about your career more than you do, you will always be disappointed. Being an advocate for your career is essential to achieving your professional aspirations. Do you agree? Share your COMMENTS below. ⬇️ 𝗛𝗶𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 🔔 𝗼𝗻 𝗺𝘆 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗶𝗹𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗲 𝗻𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗲𝗱 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗜 𝗽𝗼𝘀𝘁 | Tony Gambill   #leadership #management #careers #humanresources

When it comes to choosing your career path, it's important to consider more than just the financial aspect. While the money you make will naturally be a consideration, it shouldn't be the sole factor influencing your decision. Looking beyond money is crucial for making informed career choices, for example: - Development Opportunities: Seek out career paths that offer growth and learning opportunities. Look for organizations that invest in their employees' professional development, providing training programs and real room for advancement. Are employees actively growing from within or are most being recruited from external sources within your targeted function? - Support Infrastructure: A supportive work environment can make a significant difference in your career journey. Look for companies that prioritize collaboration, open communication, and teamwork and have evidence of it in their work. Is cross-functional collaboration encouraged and normalized? - Professional Goals: Define your professional aspirations and find a career path that aligns with them. Consider your passions, strengths, and long-term objectives. Look for roles that allow you to utilize your skills and make a meaningful impact. Sometimes the next best role is a lateral move to gain functional expertise. Don’t be afraid to consider a side step that will enable you to move two steps forward later. - Work-Life Balance: Strive for a healthy work-life balance. Prioritize organizations that value work-life harmony and understand the importance of personal well-being. You can find work-life balance in many roles that seem unachievable by setting clear expectations, establishing guardrails, and maximizing processes and technology. What tools and resources does your desired organization invest in to achieve this? - What Matters Most to You: Reflect on your values and priorities. Consider factors like company culture, social impact, and alignment with your passions. Find a career that resonates with what truly matters to you not what your title is on LinkedIn. I’m willing to wager none of the people who care about you the most care what your work title is… While money has its role in the conversation, it shouldn't be the sole focus when making career decisions. By considering development opportunities, support infrastructure, professional goals, work-life balance, and your personal values, you can create a fulfilling and meaningful career path. How have you prioritized other factors in your career besides the bottom line?