4 Strategic Ways to Decide Your Next Career Move
Is it not perplexing that many professionals or even aspirants have their long-term career goals figured out, yet they find the very next move daunting? The truth is that the longest journeys are also made one step at a time. This calls for you to be decisive about your next career move.
As per LinkedIn’s 2025 Workplace Learning Report, career growth is people’s primary motivation for learning. The irony is that many professionals invest in new skills, additional courses, and professional development only to find themselves at a fork in the path. The question that doesn’t seem to find a resolution is what their next career move should be.
Now, one thing is certain: careers seldom follow a straight path, which is both a scare and a relief. Almost every professional reaches a point of saturation where they no longer feel a sense of enthusiasm or challenge in their work. They want to change their direction, but the uncertainty is just too much to bear.
Keep in mind that enduring career growth never comes from chasing opportunities at random. You must understand what your career needs most at this stage of your journey.
The four practical strategies shared below can help you evaluate your options with greater clarity. Avoid the common errors in decision-making and work toward a career that grows with you.
Let the Destination Determine Your First Step
Are you thinking in terms of the next dream job? Take a small pause and shift that mindset. How about you make the ultimate career you wish to build as your guide? Immediate opportunities can be tempting, but if you maintain a myopic perspective, it may just leave you feeling unfulfilled years later.
So, don’t worry about the best job you can land right now. Instead, ask yourself what kind of professional you wish to become. At large, the way people think about their careers is changing. According to the Deloitte Global 2025 Gen Z and Millennial Survey, professionals today are looking for a balance of money, meaning, and well-being.
It’s refreshing to see younger demographics in the workforce prioritize a purposeful work life. At the same time, many workers are struggling to strike that balance. This has been an ongoing problem, as Gallup reported about a growing workplace trend called the ‘Great Detachment.’ 51% of US employees were actively looking for a new job, while 18% said they were extremely satisfied with their current employer.
In most cases, the hunt was not for a different employer but for work that feels more meaningful. Similarly, a higher salary might improve your finances, but if the role is misaligned with your interests, it won’t provide the fulfillment you seek.
Questions to Ask
What kind of work gives me a strong sense of purpose and satisfaction?
What are the skills or strengths that I wish to be known for?
What balance between work and personal life do I want in the years ahead?
Will this opportunity take me closer to the career I envisioned, or is it simply a short-term change?
Discover What’s Standing Between You and Your Goal
The previous point discussed the importance of focusing on the ultimate career you desire to build. The next step is to understand what may be holding you back from that goal.
An honest assessment is the only logical place to begin. Sometimes, the barrier is a missing skill. Other times, it may be a lack of leadership experience or professional connections. For instance, someone wishing to move into a leadership position within a college/university may discover that it requires a deeper understanding of institutional strategy and educational policy.
In that situation, a Doctor of Education in Higher Education can help pave the way forward. Unlike a traditional academic doctorate that focuses mainly on original research and theory, a Doctor in Education (EdD) is generally designed for education professionals who want to apply leadership principles to real-world challenges.
Professionals pursuing such courses can develop skills related to decision-making and change management. As Saint Leo University notes, the curriculum weaves together strategic leadership, applied research, and policy analysis to empower leaders.
For working professionals who want to continue building their careers while pursuing an advanced degree, an online Doctor of Education in Higher Education can offer greater flexibility. You can also gain new knowledge and leadership skills without taking a career break. First, you need to identify what is actually standing between you and your goal.
Questions to Ask
Do I possess the skills employers demand for the role I want?
Am I short of a specific qualification that is commonly required in my field?
Have I developed enough leadership and management experience?
Can a mentor, career coach, or colleague help me identify the gaps?
Would expanding my professional network create new opportunities?
Test the Waters Before Setting Sail Afar
If you were to receive an offer that promises better pay and a much-needed fresh start, would you embrace it with open arms? Well, that is tempting for sure, and there is nothing wrong with getting the butterflies over a new job. All of this only makes sense when you have taken the time to explore what the role involves on a day-to-day basis.
Essentially, you need to check if it truly matches your strengths and long-term goals. That is because today’s job market is way more complex than people expect it to be. In an interview with CNBC, the legendary media executive, Bonnie Hammer, observed that many professionals enter the workforce with certain assumptions that turn into disappointments.
On that note, she said, “Their assumption is, ‘I went to college. I got a degree. I was always told that once I graduated, I would then get a job. If I got really good grades, I’d get a great job.’ And that’s not what’s happening.” Her comment exposes the truth about the ‘qualifications only’ mindset.
Your future self will thank you for understanding the market and validating your assumptions before making a major decision. So, look for opportunities to experience a potential career path before making a lasting commitment.
Actionable Steps
Talk to professionals already working in your field of study and get to know what a day in their life looks like.
Find a mentor or career coach who can offer an unbiased perspective.
Take on small projects or volunteering opportunities, especially if you’re considering a new industry or role.
Attend networking events and observe professionals in their natural habitat for a more realistic view of the work.
As you do the above, consider whether a particular job or role leads up to a career you genuinely desire to build. Unless you understand if it’s the work itself that attracts you or its benefits, there is no moving forward, at least not in a clear direction.
Choose the Next Step That Creates Momentum
It takes time and some struggle to identify the direction one wants their career to take. However, once that is decided, remember that you’re halfway across. At this point, do not wait until everything feels certain before taking action.
More often than not, career growth is built through the little steps we take to gain new skills and expand the graph of our experience. In its Future of Jobs Report 2025, the World Economic Forum (WEF) mentioned the top skills that were expected to grow in importance over the next five years. Among them were technological literacy, creative thinking, curiosity, leadership, and social influence.
We can observe that the focus is not on a single technical skill. Instead, future professionals will have a combination of digital, leadership, and human skills under their marketing belt. Even if your next career move is not loud and big, it should help you strengthen your knowledge and experience.
Essentially, every intentional step adds momentum and makes your next move easier to navigate.
Actionable Steps
Enroll yourself in projects that stretch your abilities, even if they seem unfamiliar at the beginning.
Develop one new skill at a time that can help you in the career you wish to build.
Build meaningful professional connections through industry events and professional communities.
Run periodic reviews of your progress and modify your plan as your interests, skills, and opportunities grow.
Proactive steps matter now more than ever in light of changing workplace expectations. For instance, AI-related job postings have increased by over 100% since last year. In the past 15 years, this area has outpaced all others in the job market. This means the ability to develop relevant skills is the only way professionals can remain prepared for new opportunities and challenges.
FAQs
How do I know if it’s time to make a career move?
If your current role no longer aligns with your long-term goals, offers little room for growth, or does not challenge you, it’s time for a change. Focus on whether your next move brings you closer to the career you ultimately wish to build.
Should I gain experience or pursue further education first?
It depends on what’s holding you back. If your target role requires specific skills or credentials, further education may help. In case practical experience is the missing piece, seek projects and leadership opportunities that prepare you for your next career move.
How can I make better long-term career decisions?
Start with your long-term career vision rather than the next job title. Recognize the gaps you need to close, test the waters, and choose opportunities that build valuable skills and experience over time.
The Bottom Line
In case you were waiting for the entire path to illuminate or become predictable, burst that bubble now. That is unlikely to happen since industries change and the opportunities available today may look very different in the years ahead. The only thing that matters is the clarity to make thoughtful decisions for continuous growth.
Access to future growth is the differentiating factor for most employees worldwide. In PwC’s Global Workforce Hopes and Fears Survey 2025, workers who felt supported to upskill were 73% more motivated than those who reported having the least support. Now, this was a huge survey, involving 50,000 workers across 48 countries and regions.
Do not view your career growth as something confined to a new job or role. You can create it by developing the skills, experiences, and mindset that the future of work demands.
