Goal-Oriented Career Planning

One of the talks I’ve given to a few teams internally at Microsoft is “PMing your career”. Mid-career is the perfect time to step back, see yourself as a ‘product,’ and start managing your career with intention and strategy. Here are 5 axioms I use as part of the frame: ➡️1. Treat your career as a Product with a strategic fit: Every high-performing professional has a unique value proposition. Regularly assess your Personal Product-Market Fit (PMF) to ensure that your strengths, skills, and how you’re positioning them align with the needs of your industry and your company. Strong careers, like great products, adapt to stay relevant and strategically fit. This helps you identify places you might need to grow too. ➡️2. Your resume is (kind-of) Product Review Document (PRD): Like a PRD highlights a product’s features, your resume should capture your top achievements and core skills. Keep it current and aligned with your goals, showcasing how your career product has evolved. ➡️3. Use feedback as your career “Customer Review”: Just as products thrive on customer feedback, your career benefits from input from mentors, peers, and leaders. Thoughtfully incorporate this feedback to stay aligned with your goals and make strategic improvements. ➡️4. Set a career Roadmap: Map out your career with a focus on strategy and clear goals. These checkpoints – skills to gain, connections to build, and roles to pursue – keep you moving toward your vision of success and position you for future opportunities. Ask others who have already taken the path what the checkpoints are. ➡️5. Embrace phases as part of your strategy: Like product lifecycles, careers have phases. In early roles, focus on mastering foundational skills; as you advance, lean into influence and decision-making; and eventually, hone discernment for opportunities. Each stage strengthens your overall career strategy. Hope this helps you today

Over the past couple of months, I've thoroughly enjoyed connecting and speaking with people here on LinkedIn to learn more about what challenges they face in their careers. Many of those I’ve spoken with wish they were further along professionally and are looking for guidance on how to course-correct. The truth is, I was in that same place of career dissatisfaction not too long ago… In the first four years of my sales career, I was on fire. I didn't just meet my sales quota; I obliterated it, surpassing expectations by a staggering +125% every year. I was a consistent top performer–in the top 5% of sellers in the company–obtaining the highest awards one could achieve. I could have easily leveraged that strong track record into a much higher paying sales role at a top-tier company, but what did I do? I went horizontal, moving laterally into various other roles for the next 4 years—taking the easy next job. In essence, I wasted the momentum I had built… We’re all guilty of it, and it’s human nature to take the path of least resistance. It's like watching a car with a full tank of gas (or electric charge these days) choosing to cruise in the slow lane. Why? Because it's easy. Now there’s nothing wrong with lateral moves. Careers are naturally not straight ladders that we climb. And we can always learn valuable lessons in every role we take on. But with hindsight being 20/20, I know now with absolute clarity how much I could have accelerated between year 4 and 8 of my career, instead of cruising. 📌 3 things that I failed to do early in my career that I'd share with my past self: 1️⃣ A career goal without a plan is just a wish: To achieve your career goals, you need to strategically plan out your moves, skills you need to build and connections you need to make. Have a 1-3-5 year roadmap. Don’t ‘hope’ it will happen. Be intentional. Periodically zoom out and assess if you're making the right progress to where you want to be. 2️⃣ Maximize momentum: Don't squander momentum when you've worked hard to build it. Recognize when you’re crushing it consistently and use it as a slingshot to your next role. Make it a priority to maximize the ROI from your efforts. 3️⃣ Know your market worth: One of my early career oversights was not exploring other opportunities outside my company. I should have been doing that every 2-3 years–but it took me 8 years to figure out that I was severely undervalued. Interviewing doesn't mean you're planning to leave, but it gives valuable insights into your market worth, and what other companies are willing to pay for what you can deliver. As you understand your true value, the landscape of possibilities becomes clearer, revealing new opportunities worth exploring. — Ever wondered about the real cost of sitting still in your career? 📡 I dive into the data here: https://lnkd.in/dyna5uG5 What’s ONE insight you wish you could share with your past self?

𝐀 𝐟𝐫𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤 𝐭𝐨 𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐩 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐧𝐞𝐱𝐭 𝐫𝐨𝐥𝐞 𝐨𝐫 𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐫 𝐦𝐨𝐯𝐞. 📈💼 Many mentees have asked for a framework to help them brainstorm and set career goals. Having faced this myself multiple times, I know that this exercise can be exhausting without a structured approach. Here’s a simple yet powerful framework that has worked for me consistently. 👇 Step 1: Capture your current state in detail (professional only or both professional + personal). ✍️ Step 2: Define your future aspirations without limitations—list everything that comes to mind! 🌠 Step 3: Identify the “swimlanes” that matter to you. These may vary, so be clear on what’s important for you. 🏊♂️ Step 4: Set milestones within each swim lane. For example, if “financial safety” is a swimlane, your milestones could include buying a house, creating a corpus of ₹X crore, etc. 🏠💰 Step 5: Establish timelines. Map out concentric zones with achievable milestones over time. ⏳ Step 6: Track your progress regularly. 📊 Having a mentor can be invaluable here, as they can act as a sounding board, providing guidance and helping you stay aligned with your goals. Having this mental map will significantly help you plan your career transformation. 🌟 I hope this helps! Let me know your thoughts in the comments. 💬 #CareerPlanning #GrowthMindset #CareerTransformation #GoalSetting #Mentorship #Framework

"Where do you see yourself in six months?" Your manager asks you out of the blue. You freeze. That feeling of being caught unprepared hit me particularly hard in my early 20's. I'd ramble about wanting "more responsibility" or "growth opportunities." My managers would nod politely. Nothing would really change. I was making a crucial mistake, waiting for my manager to outline my career paths for me. 𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗲'𝘀 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗜 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗲𝗱: 𝗜𝘁 𝘄𝗮𝘀𝗻'𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗿 𝗷𝗼𝗯 𝘁𝗼 𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗺𝘆 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗿 𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘄𝘁𝗵. 𝗜𝘁 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗲. When I joined Dropbox in 2015, I discovered a simple career planning framework that helped me map out my direction. It broke down into four core components: 🎯 Personal brand - What do you want to be known for? 📅 Short-term goals - What do you want in 3-6 months? 🚀 Long-term goals - What do you want in 1-3 years? 💪 Key strengths - What are your superpowers? But having the framework wasn't enough. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗹 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲 𝗵𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗱 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗜 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱𝘀 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗺𝘆 𝗴𝗼𝗮𝗹𝘀. Last week, I was talking to my friend about pitching their manager about a role that doesn't exist yet. Here's how I'd prepare: • Identify the skills gaps • Build a plan to acquire these skills • Identify people who can support me • Craft a business case connecting my goal to value But now we also have fancy AI tools! So recently, I've leveled up the process by using an AI career copilot (inspired by Tal Raviv). I set up a Claude Project with my career growth plan and company context. Then I ask it to challenge my thinking, identify blind spots, and help me role-play difficult conversations. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗔𝗜 𝗱𝗼𝗲𝘀𝗻'𝘁 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝘃𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗺𝘆 𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗮𝘀. It suggests daily actions for my short-term goals. It helps coach me through career conversations. It makes the whole process less dreary and more strategic. Here's how to try this out yourself: 1. Have a career chat with your manager or mentor. 2. Setup Tal Raviv's prompt (link in comments). 3. Adapt and use your AI copilot to prep for the chat. Own your career development instead of waiting for others to drive it. The reality is that no one will care about your career as much as you do. Have you tried leveraging AI copilots in your own career growth?

Can we Plan, Control, and Improve our careers? Yes, we can. The answer lies in a classic quality management principle: Juran's Trilogy. Dr. Joseph Juran's Trilogy - Quality Planning, Quality Control, and Quality Improvement - has transformed organizations worldwide. What if I told you these principles can also transform your career? Career Planning Just like quality planning, start by defining your career goals and aligning them with market demands. Identify the skills you need, map your gaps, and chart a roadmap. Career Control Regularly monitor your progress. Are you delivering on your potential? Are your actions aligned with your goals? Think of this as checking KPIs for your career - like skills acquisition, visibility, and performance. Career Improvement Constantly look for ways to enhance your value. Learn new skills, adapt to changes, and take on stretch assignments. The goal is to make your career trajectory sharper and stronger over time. I recently coached Preeti, a mid-career professional stuck in a stagnant role. We mapped her long-term career goals (planning), set measurable milestones (control), and introduced skill upgrades and thought leadership efforts (improvement). Within 18 months, she transitioned into a leadership role with a significant pay hike. And I have used these principles myself. And you can see, I haven't done badly either. ☺ Your career is your product. Manage it like a quality professional. ++++++++++ Photo - My career isn't as bright as the background, but its not too bad either.

After 20 years in talent management and career coaching, I’ve seen one truth over and over! ‘You cannot wait  for your boss or manager to advance your career!’ If you want a new job, a promotion, or more recognition in 2025,  here’s what I’ve learned and what I coach my clients to do: Document Your Achievements: I've kept a "brag file" of my achievements—big and small.  When it's time for reviews or interviews, I have solid evidence of my contributions. Invest in learning and development: This has helped me stay ahead of the curve.  I mastered skills aligned with the future  of work to remain competitive. Advocate for Yourself:  Don't shy away from claiming credit when you've earned it!  Throughout my career, I've made it a point  to advocate for myself. Create a Career Roadmap: Defining your goals and outlining actionable steps to reach them has been a game-changer for me. ↳ My clear plans have made the journey less daunting. Network Strategically and Consistently: Building meaningful connections regularly, not just when you need  something is crucial. Don’t forget those  Christmas parties and meet-ups. ↳ Strong relationships have been game-changers in my career. Be Proactive:  Taking initiative and following through have been key to my success. Remember, passivity stalls progress, while execution drives results. Putting these strategies into action has helped me achieve  my career goals, and I know they can do the  same for you. Embrace ownership of your success and thrive in the coming year! What strategies have helped you excel in your career?  Share your tips below! #GoalInspiredCareerCoaching #CareerAdvice #JobPromotion

Do you feel stuck in your career but unsure how to take the next step? If so, this is what you can do: 👇 First, remember that deciding what to do next in our careers can be daunting. Many common fears hold us back, such as “What if I make the wrong move?” or “What if my next job isn’t perfect?” Early in my career, I felt the same way. Despite feeling stuck in my consulting job, it took me nearly six years to make a change because I feared making the wrong decision. So, the first step in any career planning is to let go of the idea that there’s only one perfect path. Instead, embrace the concept of a winding career journey with multiple possibilities—most of which are reversible and could lead you to exciting, unforeseen opportunities. Once you've embraced this mindset, you can follow these steps to create a career plan: 1️⃣ Write your future vision story: This isn’t about a specific job title or salary. It’s about envisioning your day-to-day life and how you want to feel. Do you want a work-life balance that allows for deep work in the morning and family time in the evening? Or do you see yourself leading strategy in a fast-paced company, working on high-stakes projects? Your vision should capture the essence of your ideal life. 2️⃣ Identify 2-3 potential paths: Once you have your vision, identify a few potential paths to achieve it. Assess whether your current role aligns with your vision. For instance, if you imagine a 35-hour work week but are currently working 80 hours, you’ll know a change is needed. Your options might include switching jobs, changing teams, learning new skills, or exploring something entirely different. 3️⃣ Prototype your potential paths: After identifying your options, test them as much as possible. The beauty of career paths is that others have walked them before you. Reach out to people in your network who have the roles/careers you’re considering. Conduct informational interviews to understand if those paths align with your vision. You can also test the waters by volunteering for related projects or taking on part-time work. 4️⃣ Choose the path that energizes you the most: After prototyping, choose the path that excites you the most and feels easiest to start. Then, take the smallest, easiest first step to start moving in that direction. Using this approach, my clients have successfully discovered fulfilling new directions. One client moved from big tech to a startup (and got 2 title bumps), one became a freelance consultant, one transitioned from PMM to Chief of Staff, and one even returned to school and became a creative writer. While their new careers may not be perfect, one thing is certain: they are much happier. My latest newsletter, which just came out today, shares more career tips— check it out in the comments! #productmarketing #career #growth #marketing #coaching

The SMART Way to Success! As a leader, I've witnessed firsthand the incredible power of setting SMART goals. But what exactly does SMART stand for, and why is it crucial for career success? Let's dive in! S - Specific: ➺ Ambiguity has no place in goal-setting. Clearly define your objectives. Want that promotion?  Specify your role, responsibilities, and skills to get there. M - Measurable: ➺ If you can't measure it, you can't manage it. Track your progress, whether it's in sales numbers, certifications earned, or projects completed. A - Achievable: ➺ Dream big, but keep your feet on the ground. Make sure your goals are within reach. Setting unrealistic goals can lead to frustration and burnout. R - Relevant: ➺ Align your goals with your long-term vision. Ensure they make sense in the context of your career trajectory. T - Time-bound: ➺ Without deadlines, goals can linger indefinitely. Set a timeframe to create a sense of urgency. Now, here are some eye-opening facts: ✅ According to a study, setting clear goals can increase your chances of success by 42%. Imagine what that could do for your career! ✅ A study by Dominican University found people who wrote down their goals were 33% more successful in achieving them than those who did not. ✅ A whopping 92% of people fail to achieve their New Year's resolutions. Why? Often, it's due to vague, non-SMART goals. So, take a moment to reflect on your career aspirations. Are your goals SMART? If not, there is still time to make the shift.  Start today, and watch your career soar to new heights. PS: Share your SMART goal or a success story in the comments. Let's inspire each other to achieve greatness! #careersuccess #smartgoals #leadershipmatters #leadership

Are You Charting Your Path or Just Wandering? I often meet people with a vague idea of where they want their career or life to go, yet they spend no time mapping out their journey. As a result, they flip-flop from one opportunity to the next, without a clear direction. Years ago, I dreamed of traveling with work, raising three children, driving a specific car, and living exactly where I wanted. I made a plan. That plan didn't just give me clarity, it gave me a laser focus that was crucial in achieving those dreams. Now, I'm crafting an even more ambitious plan because if there's one thing I've learned, it's that I wasn't ambitious enough the first time around. The best advice I can offer anyone looking to find a new role, make an international move, or take the next step in their career is this: Reverse engineer your goals. Identify your target, plot the steps to get there, and seek mentors who've already walked that path. They can help accelerate your journey. MCG Talent

Set a goal and make a plan for your career growth and your learning path. It doesn't matter if all the things are not known, just make a rough plan anyway. In the early part of my career, I used to just go with the flow. I would find something interesting, learn it, master it, and then move on to the next thing. I still carry an open mind towards learning, and I'm certainly not a natural planner, but I've learnt that a plan can help focus your efforts towards a worthwhile goal. I used to avoid planning because the future was always unknown. Yes, the exact future is unknown, but without a plan, you have no effective way to prioritise your actions today. Don't think of a plan as being restricted, it's more a conscious framework to take decisive action when decisions are needed. This can be useful to decide whether to take a new role for example. It's a great example because sometimes this can be a tough decision to make. Most likely you will also be asked in interviews what your career goal and plan looks like! Good recruiters and hiring managers will ask you because they want the role to be a good fit on both sides. If you have a goal and a plan, it's much easier to make decisions. If you think an opportunity aligns to your goal and career plan, then go for it. Clearly articulating your desire for the future can also be a huge benefit when engaging with mentors or senior leaders. Make your career goals and plans known to those who could be able to help you. Craft your plan with your mentors and senior leaders in mind. How can they help you? They're there to help, and making the most of the time and effort they put into you will result in a more satisfying and successful working relationship. You'll always have imperfect information available to you, and sometimes things can go a bit sideways, but taking intentional steps to achieve a defined goal will eventually get you to the target.