How to Decide on Your Next Career Move

It happens to all of us at some point. Whether you've been coasting for years in a comfortable role, pushing yourself hard in a demanding job, or returning to work after a major life event, you look at the road ahead and realize you're in the wrong lane.

Recent job search statistics show that the average employee changes jobs every 3.9 years. Whether it's for better pay, more growth, or a healthier work-life balance, there are plenty of good reasons to make a career move.

But that doesn't make the prospect of changing your career path any less intimidating.

In this article, you'll find practical strategies for deciding your next career move — ones that support both your personal wellbeing and your professional goals. 

1. Identify your priorities

Before you can map out a career move, you need to know what you're aiming for. Is it income stability? More creative freedom? A new industry?

There's no wrong answer here, but clarity matters. Your next steps depend on the needs you’re trying to address. Some career moves can be easily navigated without changing employers or industries, while others require an investment in retraining. 

Most career moves fall into one of three categories:

• Lateral moves into a different role or department
• Promotions to a higher position with increased responsibility
• Industry switches to an entirely new field

2. Assess your current situation

Take stock of what's missing from your current role. Some common examples include:

• Poor value alignment
• Lack of growth opportunities 
• Tedious responsibilities

Think about your situation in terms of your day-to-day needs and professional aspirations. In other words, consider whether you are learning and growing, whether your financial needs are being met, and whether your current career path supports an adequate work-life balance.

Being honest about your starting point will help you prepare a transition that is specific and achievable. 

For example, if you need to balance an upskilling goal with more pressing immediate financial needs, it may be worth considering apprenticeship programs or lateral moves that allow you to continue making an income as you navigate your transition.

3. Weigh up your strengths and interests

Start by listing five previous tasks or projects that excited or engaged you. Focus on the things that you executed with confidence or that you look back on with pride, whether they were professional or personal achievements.

Write down any skills or tools you used to make your achievements a reality and note any recurring themes. Then, try summarizing your goals in a brief mission statement to get clearer on what drives you and what you want in your next role.

If you're stuck, get feedback from people you trust. It's normal to lose sight of your strengths during a career move. Friends, coworkers, and mentors can remind you of what you bring to the table.

4. Find out what's available to you

Use larger search engines like Google, LinkedIn, and Indeed to orient your search and identify the specific vocabulary that employers are using to find people like you.

One effective way to search is to combine the terms from your skills list with specific fields that interest you. For example, you could enter "communications strategy" and "environmental activism jobs."

Mix and match your keywords and pay attention to recurring job titles, responsibilities, and employers. These patterns will reveal where your skills are most in demand.

View this research as an evolving process. As you continue exploring, you may come across job functions or fields you hadn't previously considered. During career shifts, staying open to new directions can help surface valuable and unexpected options.

5. Make the right connections

Dig deeper by talking to people who work in the roles you want to pursue, whether those connections are friends, alumni, or employees in one of your target companies.

Anyone you know already in the industry is a logical first step, and most will be able to connect you to additional contacts. If you don't know anyone in your target field yet, write up a short, friendly outreach message requesting a brief informational interview. You may not get as many responses, but many people will be happy to give you 5–10 minutes of their time.

Here's an example you can use as a template:

“Hi [Contact Person's Name], I'm exploring a career move into [field/role] and would love to hear about your experience at [Company Name]. Would you be open to a 10–minute chat over Zoom next week?”

6. Consider any trade-offs or sacrifices

Once you've identified some viable next steps for your career, you'll need to consider the practicalities of your transition.

Will the new role come with a lower salary? Less flexibility for remote work? Will it require longer work hours or more of your free time?

Be honest about your needs. A fast-paced startup might sound exciting, but if you're craving stability and calm, it may not be the best fit. Likewise, a role that pays more but eats into your personal time might not serve you in the long run.

Make a list of potential downsides and weigh them up against your reasons for wanting to make the change. The purpose of this exercise isn't to dissuade you from making the transition, but before you commit to a major lifestyle change, it's important to consider all the factors.

7. Prepare for the role

Through your research, you will have identified whether you already have the right skills for your target role or need to upskill to make the move. 

If you're aiming for a promotion or lateral move into a similar role, short online courses or certificates may be enough to give yourself a competitive edge in the job market. However, if you're planning more of a pivot, you may need to take a more thorough approach, especially if you're moving into a more specialized field.

Roles in Law or STEM fields often require formal qualifications. While there are ways to pursue these avenues while earning an income (e.g., apprenticeships or working while you pursue a part-time degree), you should be prepared to spend significant time on training before you land full-time employment.

8. Update your resume

The final step to a successful career move is to make sure your hard work and initiative shine through when you write your resume. Take a critical look at your summary, work experience, and skills section, and make sure that the most industry-relevant skills and achievements are highlighted.

This is another stage of your career move where external feedback is golden. Ask someone you trust (with relevant experience!) to check your document for any missed opportunities to showcase your talent, drive, and determination. You didn't get this far by resting on your laurels, and your resume should make that clear.

9. Trust the process

Yes, it all sounds like a lot of work. However, to make a meaningful change to your career, you have to take time to understand your current challenges, professional goals, and the landscape you're stepping into.

Think of this article as part of an ongoing process. Allow yourself to rethink priorities or objectives if something doesn't feel right anymore. Use it as an opportunity to get to know yourself a little better. Your career will be full of twists and turns, but a little strategy and self-honesty will make the path ahead much easier to navigate.

Seb Morgan is a Careers Expert and Digital Content Writer at Resume Genius, where he helps professionals in a variety of industries get the jobs they want. His expertise includes skill development, interview preparation, and resume and cover letter writing.