Is Your Career Future-Proof? It’s Time to Take Control

Executives who plan strategically are always the first to land jobs. And those who are proactive, versus reactive, will develop new opportunities long into the future.

By Julie Norwell

How would you rank your employee confidence?

With luck, you’re among the professionals with a positive business outlook. But that group is dwindling. In its latest monthly Employee Confidence Index, Glassdoor reported that employee confidence dropped in February to its lowest level since it began collecting data. 

In the current employment landscape, security can be fleeting. Recent layoffs—especially in the government sector—have left tens of thousands of workers scrambling. The Conference Board’s Employment Trends Index has dropped to its lowest level since October, signaling more employment turbulence ahead. Even if you’re comfortable today, tomorrow’s job market may look very different.

That’s why you should never leave your career to chance. It’s harder to maximize your career prospects when you’re reacting to a bad situation. Strategic career management—not reactionary job searching—is what helps professionals land on their feet when others are left reeling. The time to plan your next move isn’t when the pink slip arrives—it’s now.

Step One: Reflect on Where You Want to Go

Before making any professional move, your first step should be gaining clarity about your career direction. And, if  possible, do this before you need to make a change. If you wait until a crisis hits to define what you want, you’ll be making decisions under pressure, not from a position of strength.

Reflection isn’t always easy, though. Career success is deeply connected to priorities in your personal life. And those priorities shift over time. 

Strategic career management—not reactionary job searching—is what helps professionals land on their feet when others are left reeling.

The key is to start by assessing your non-negotiables. What do you value most? What does a successful life look like for you – both professionally and personally? There are no wrong answers to these questions as long as you are being honest with yourself. The answers will shape your career choices. 

Next, identify the obstacles holding you back. This requires honest self-reflection. Are external circumstances—company restructuring, leadership changes, economic shifts—limiting your growth? Or are internal factors—fear, complacency, outdated skills—playing a role? Understanding the roadblocks you are facing is an important step in overcoming them.

Dan Resendes, chief consulting officer emeritus at career management firm The Barrett Group, emphasizes the importance of reflection in career planning. 

“We help clients evaluate their overall happiness across key life areas—financial independence, business success, relationships, and health. In The Barrett Group’s Clarity Program, clients are asked to rank these elements of their lives in a way that achieves the highest satisfaction possible across all four areas,” said Resendes. “Our process gives people clarity on how to see what is right and wrong about their lives. It helps them make informed decisions. It gives them a roadmap.”

Develop Your Career Roadmap

Once you have clarity, it’s time to strategize. Begin by assessing your core competencies. This includes both hard skills (e.g. specifically learned skills) and soft skills (e.g. naturally acquired skills, such as ability to communicate or work in a team setting). What are your strongest skills? Which ones are in demand in today’s job market? (For more on this point, read “Executive Skills Have Evolved; Are Yours Still Marketable?”) Are there gaps you need to close?

Cultivating connections often leads to unexpected opportunities—sometimes well into the future.

If your skillset needs a refresh, take proactive steps. Read industry publications. Join professional groups. Take courses. Attend conferences. Engage in continuous learning to maintain your competitive edge. In a shifting job market, professionals who commit to constantly growing their skills stay ahead of those who don’t.

The Power of Social Capital

The value of social capital cannot be overstated when it comes to career changes – especially for executives.

Leveraging it is more than a job search tactic—it’s an essential career strategy. Research shows that the majority of job opportunities come through social connections, not recruiters or job postings.

Resendes underscores this point: “Among our clients, 75% land jobs through their personal network – and many of those opportunities were unpublished.”

Social capital is so important that The Barrett Group coaches clients to reconnect with everyone who holds them in high regard, be it family, friends, or business associates. But reaching out doesn’t mean asking people for a job. The focus should be on nurturing relationships. If you take the time to strengthen your social connections, you’re more likely to stay top of mind when your contacts come across career leads that might interest you. (The Barrett Group’s Dan Resendes and Waffles Natusch explain how social capital works in this 3-minute video.)

It won’t happen with everyone you speak to, and it may take time for your efforts to yield results. But cultivating connections often leads to unexpected opportunities—sometimes well into the future. For this reason, maintaining and developing your social network should be standard practice throughout your career.

Should You Work with a Career Consultant?

If you’re serious about making a change, working with a career consultant can be a game-changer. Consultants provide an outside perspective, challenge you to think beyond your comfort zone, and keep you accountable. They help with everything from refining career goals to navigating job negotiations. They can also introduce best practices for resume development, interview strategies, and job search tactics that take your skills to the next level.

For many executives seeking a career change, one of the most surprising rewards of working with a career consultant is the emotional support they receive during a challenging and turbulent time. In the current economic climate, this kind of support is often invaluable. It is a touchpoint that job seekers need to regain their confidence, build momentum, and approach their career transitions with a renewed sense of purpose.

What to Expect from Taking Control of Your Career

Change isn’t always comfortable. The process of career transformation can be slow, with highs and lows along the way. But dedicating even three hours a week to career planning can make a huge difference over time. It can also lessen your anxiety if a crisis hits unexpectedly.

One of the biggest barriers to career success is failing to prioritize it. Many professionals spend all their time managing their current job and personal responsibilities and leave no space for career planning. But those who make career management a habit are the ones who thrive in any economy.

In today’s uncertain market, being in control of your career is professional insurance. Executives who plan strategically are always the first to land jobs. And those who are proactive, rather than reactive, will continue discovering new opportunities long into the future. 

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Written by Julie Norwell, senior writer & content manager at The Barrett Group.

 

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