Career Trajectory Mapping

Your career has broadly 3 phases: 1. Early Stage (0–5 years) In this phase, companies hire primarily for attitude. They look for: > Are you willing to put your head down and work on what’s assigned? > Are you eager to learn, adapt, and stay dependable? You may not have absolute clarity on your long-term path — and that’s okay. At this stage, it’s your coachability and curiosity that matter most. You grow by: → Obsessing over learning and absorbing from every opportunity → Making career switches every ~2–3 years for exposure and acceleration → Job application mix: ~80% job boards, 20% referrals ⸻ 2. Mid Stage (5–12 years) Now, you’re expected to have clarity: on the role, domain, location, and the kind of company (startup, MNC, etc.) you want to work with. Hiring managers are more conservative with lateral hires — they want proof of outcomes, not just potential. You grow by: → Building deep expertise in your chosen space → Learning to showcase your work — online and within the org → Making internal or external moves every ~3–6 years → Job application mix: ~50% job boards, 50% referrals ⸻ 3. Leadership Stage (12+ years) At this stage, no company is waiting on Naukri or LinkedIn hoping someone applies. Opportunities are created through trust, visibility, and networks. You grow by: → Expanding your strategic thinking and decision-making impact → Building influence — inside and outside the company → Investing in relationships that open doors Job application mix: ~20% job boards, 80% referrals/network pull ⸻ Every phase demands a different version of you. What phase are you in? And are you playing the right game for it? #career #growth #jobsearch #leadership #careeradvice

Are You Aligning Your Strengths with What Your Organization Values? A few years ago, a talented professional, came to me feeling frustrated. Despite her hard work, she wasn’t moving forward in her department. After a core competency analysis, we discovered the reason: She excelled in technical skills, but the company placed heavy emphasis on leadership, initiative, and innovation—areas where she wasn’t fully demonstrating her potential. To fix this, we crafted a plan to develop these core competencies. We assigned her small team projects to build leadership experience, and encouraged her to share her innovative ideas. Within six months, she was recognized as a natural leader, and new opportunities started opening up for her. 🌱 📊 Here’s How You Can Assess Your Organization’s Core Competencies: 👉Review Job Descriptions: Look at the required skills for your current and aspirational roles. Companies often include key competencies in job postings. 👉Pay Attention to Company Culture: Observe what behaviors are praised and rewarded—this is often a reflection of the core competencies the organization values. 👉Engage with Leadership: Ask for feedback and guidance on what the organization sees as vital for success in your role. 👉Study Performance Reviews: Look at what’s being measured in performance evaluations—this will reveal the competencies your company values most. 💡 Key Action Points: 🔆Assess the core competencies your organization values most. 🔆Identify where your strengths align with those competencies. 🔆Take proactive steps to develop in-demand skills like leadership and innovation. Feeling stuck in your role? It might be time to reassess your competencies and align your strengths with what the organization values. Start today and unlock new opportunities! #Leadership #CareerDevelopment #CoreCompetencies #Innovation #Initiative #ProfessionalGrowth #LeadershipSkills #CareerAdvancement #SkillDevelopment #LearningAndDevelopment

The most dangerous career strategy in 2025: Following a path that worked for everyone before you. Over the last few weeks, my inbox has been flooded with messages of strife and anxiety from brilliant people blindsided by layoffs. To be honest, there is very little I can say to many. Most played the game of life perfectly. They went to great schools, got good grades, landed prestigious jobs, and worked hard. Their stories raises a critical question: What if it's not just specific jobs disappearing, but a fundamental flaw in how we've viewed careers and success? The linear world we've grown accustomed to is abruptly being disrupted. The ladders that guaranteed safety and success no longer hold their promise. For decades, we've operated under the belief that: → Business success comes from perfect execution → Career paths follow logical progression → Expertise can reliably predict the future My friend Gaetan recently said: "What if success was always more random than we wanted to believe? What if strategic planning was always more about the illusion of control than actual causality?" Navigating uncertainty now requires us to: → Judge the quality of our decisions not just results → Embrace uncertainty over false certainty → Recognize success as probabilistic For individuals navigating this shift: → Build skill portfolios, not linear paths → Combine skills uniquely; avoid single specialties → Design for uncertainty, not control → Test multiple career options → Adapt quickly; don’t chase perfection → Diversify income streams Following these principles won't just help you withstand career shocks, it makes you antifragile, allowing you to grow stronger from volatility and stress. The human cost of layoffs extends beyond financial insecurity; it's the painful realization that playing by the rules perfectly was never a guaranteed protection. Yet within this destabilizing reality lies a massive opportunity: to redefine success itself. Success shouldn't be a singular path to follow, but the freedom to create multiple paths of your own design. The true cost of clinging to old models isn't just stalling your career; it's missing the chance to discover who you might become when you stop following and start creating.

𝐅𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐀𝐠𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐀𝐈 Yesterday, I had the privilege of speaking with students at Sharif University of Technology about the future of careers in the age of AI. For those who couldn’t attend, here are some of the key insights I shared: 𝐃𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐀𝐈-𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐬𝐤𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐬 𝐢𝐬 𝐬𝐤𝐲𝐫𝐨𝐜𝐤𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠: Job listings requiring AI proficiency have increased more than tenfold in the past two years. Fields leading this trend include technology, marketing, media, administration, business, and sales. 𝐄𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐨𝐲𝐞𝐫𝐬' 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐟𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠: According to Microsoft research, by 2030, many managers will prioritize hiring candidates with AI skills over those with more experience but no AI knowledge. Candidates proficient in AI will often be chosen over more experienced individuals without AI expertise. 𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐢𝐬 𝐝𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞: Generative AI can significantly automate tasks, enhancing efficiency across roles. This shift is projected to impact various job sectors. 𝐇𝐢𝐠𝐡-𝐠𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐭𝐡 𝐬𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐬: According to McKinsey, by 2030, sectors like healthcare, engineering, technology, and sciences will see significant job market growth. Conversely, fields such as administrative support, customer service, sales, and food services may experience a decline. 𝐓𝐨𝐩 𝐬𝐤𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐆𝐞𝐧 𝐙 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐀𝐈 𝐞𝐫𝐚: Cognitive skills will be vital in the future workforce. To succeed, Gen Z needs to cultivate critical thinking, intellectual curiosity, and flexibility. Final Message to Gen-Z: 𝙏𝙤 𝙨𝙪𝙘𝙘𝙚𝙚𝙙 𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝘼𝙄-𝙙𝙧𝙞𝙫𝙚𝙣 𝙛𝙪𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙚, 𝙖𝙞𝙢 𝙩𝙤 𝙗𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙚 "𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙣𝙚𝙘𝙩𝙤𝙧" — 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙬𝙝𝙤 𝙗𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙨 𝙖𝙡𝙡 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙥𝙪𝙯𝙯𝙡𝙚 𝙥𝙞𝙚𝙘𝙚𝙨 𝙩𝙤𝙜𝙚𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧. 𝙏𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙧𝙚𝙦𝙪𝙞𝙧𝙚𝙨 𝙖 𝙢𝙪𝙡𝙩𝙞-𝙙𝙞𝙨𝙘𝙞𝙥𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙖𝙧𝙮 𝙖𝙥𝙥𝙧𝙤𝙖𝙘𝙝 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙖 𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙢𝙞𝙩𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙩𝙤 𝙡𝙞𝙛𝙚𝙡𝙤𝙣𝙜 𝙡𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜. Many thanks to: Mahsa Alikhani sahar bandesi Sana Sadeghivand Ghazalle Attarian Mahsa Farhadi #FutureOfWork #AIinCareers #GenZ #AIEra #SharifUniversity #CareerInsights #SkillUp #Automation #Innovation #CriticalThinking #IntellectualCuriosity #FutureSkills #WorkforceTrends #CareerGrowth #Multidisciplinary Iran Job Fair | نمایشگاه کار ایران Follow me on LinkedIn: https://lnkd.in/dJtqi_Fv

The GenAI landscape is evolving daily. With new models, frameworks, and techniques emerging constantly, it's easy to get lost. This structured learning path ensures you build strong foundations while progressing toward advanced concepts systematically. What's Unique About This Approach? Instead of jumping straight to coding, we focus on understanding core concepts first: • Start with foundational skills (Python, APIs, REST) • Progress through essential concepts (Tokens, Context Windows, Embeddings) • Master modern frameworks (LangChain, LlamaIndex, Semantic Kernel) • Build practical applications using industry-standard tools Technical Deep-Dive: 1. Foundation Layer:    - Token mechanics and prompt engineering    - Context window optimization    - Temperature and model behavior    - Embedding spaces and vector operations 2. Framework Mastery:    - LangChain for chain-of-thought applications    - LlamaIndex for knowledge-intensive tasks    - Vector databases (Pinecone, Weaviate, ChromaDB)    - Custom agent development 3. Advanced Implementation:    - RAG (Retrieval Augmented Generation) systems    - Multi-agent orchestration    - Memory systems and state management    - Custom model fine-tuning 4. Real-World Projects:    From basic Q&A bots to sophisticated systems:    - Document analysis engines    - Knowledge base construction    - Agent swarms and autonomous systems    - Custom LLM implementations Infrastructure & Tools: • Development: VS Code, GitHub, Jupyter • Deployment: Docker, Cloud APIs, FastAPI • Scaling: Kubernetes, MLOps, Monitoring Learning Philosophy: This roadmap isn't just about tools and technologies. It's designed to build: - Strong theoretical foundations - Practical implementation skills - System design capabilities - Production-ready development practices What's Next? I'll be sharing detailed guides for each section of this roadmap. Follow along to: - Get in-depth tutorials - Access code examples - Learn best practices - Stay updated with the latest GenAI developments Whether you're a beginner or an experienced developer, find your entry point and start building. The field of Generative AI is rapidly evolving, and this roadmap will be regularly updated to reflect the latest advancements. What are your thoughts on this roadmap? Which area interests you the most? Let's discuss this in the comments!

One of the single most important issues in coming years is job transitions. This fascinating research examines not just job adjacency and required skill development for transition, but also bridging, directionality in job migration, and more. Insights include: 📊 The Power of Real-Time Skills Data. Analyzing real-time job posting data provides much more current and granular insights into labor market dynamics compared to traditional occupational classifications and surveys. This is especially valauble during rapid shifts like COVID-19. 🎯 Skills Space Method's High Accuracy. The "Skills Space" method for measuring similarity between skill sets, shown in the diagram, achieved 76% accuracy in predicting actual job transitions. This is impressive for such a complex prediction task and suggests the method captures something fundamental about how people actually move between jobs. 🔄 The Asymmetry of Career Paths. Job transitions are fundamentally asymmetric - it's often much easier to move in one direction between jobs than the other. For example, it may be relatively easy for a Finance Manager to become an Accounting Clerk, but much harder for an Accounting Clerk to become a Finance Manager. 🌉 The "Bridge" Nature of Transferable Skills. Generalist skills act as "bridges" between specialist skill clusters. This provides important insights for career planning - developing transferable skills makes it easier to move between different specialized domains. 🎓 Pathways to Specialized Roles. The analysis reveals clear skill-based pathways into specialized domains, showing how workers can strategically develop skills to transition into complex roles. For example, a Sheetmetal Trades Worker's skillset shows high similarity to an Industrial Designer role, offering a pathway from a high-automation-risk job to a low-automation-risk specialized position. 🆘 Crisis Response Through Skills Matching. The model helps workers displaced by crises like COVID-19 find new roles by identifying transitions that leverage their existing skills, target growing rather than declining occupations, and focus skill development on high-value gaps. This is valuable research. We need much more in this vein, and for this to be applied at all levels of the economy from national and international policy down do individual education.

The long road to career success is a two-way street between the efforts of the manager and the individual employee. We traversed one way in a recent post discussing ways in which managers can help their teams and employees succeed. Now, I would like to take a stroll to the other side and share some insights from my own experiences as well as suggest some ways people can forge their path.   The most important way to take charge of your own career is self-advocacy. It starts by picking a destination or at least direction. Then looking at the different roads that lead toward the industry or discipline of your choice so you can start advocating for opportunities to learn and to take responsibilities that will get you there.   While a “road map” is important, I also recommend keeping an open mind in the face of an unexpected detour or fork in the road. In my own career there were several pivotal moments where I faced choices that seemed less than ideal at first. But these detours turned out to be invaluable learning experiences that shaped my professional journey. One such moment came early in my career. I was working on payload fairings for rockets, a role that I thoroughly enjoyed and found engaging, but one that landed squarely in the middle of my comfort zone. Sure enough, discomfort came shortly, in the form of the Berlin Wall falling. The event triggered a domino effect of restructuring, program cuts and workforce reductions. I was asked to shift my focus to working on boosters — a task I perceived as far less exciting.   Reluctantly, on my manager’s advice, I decided to give it a shot. I embraced the work with curiosity and immersed myself into learning about composites design, stainless steel tank design, and leading a comprehensive test and development program. The decision proved to be a turning point in my career. We presented our findings from the test program I led to NASA and the Air Force, and the experience broadened my perspective and skill set in ways I never anticipated.   A well-prepared traveler also keeps abreast with the conditions not only on their planned path but also alternative routes. For example, having knowledge about manufacturing and products makes for a better engineer. Another aspect that determines the quality of one’s journey is their fellow travelers. As vast as the industry space seems, it can sometimes be a small world. Maintaining good relationships and not burning bridges keeps you from getting lost with nowhere to go and no one to help.   For anyone embarking a journey for career advancement, my advice would be to stay open to embracing new skills, opportunities, and people. Who knows where the road may lead? In the famous words of Dr. Suess - “You’re on your own. And you know what you know. And you are the one who’ll decide where to go.” I look forward to your comments on your own career journeys! Happy travels!

Career progression has evolved beyond the classic ‘ladder’—it’s more like a maze, with each path looking different for everyone. Some seek leadership roles, others crave flexibility, and some aspire to become subject matter experts. What matters most is how you support people where they are and help them grow in ways that work best for them. In this newsletter, I'll break down what career progression can look like for different people and why it’s crucial for attracting and retaining top talent. This week, I'll be covering: 📊Graph of the week: how much do candidates prioritise personal development in their Next role? 🌱 Why traditional career ladders are outdated 🧭 Understanding what career progression means to different people 🔄 How companies can support various career paths 🌟 Different approaches to career development beyond promotions ⚖️ Why it's perfectly fine not to focus on career progression 🏆  Flexa Awards spotlight: the best companies for career progression

Every job is temporary. Which means you should have a career management plan. Not sure where to start? Consider these 3 strategies: 1️⃣ Get 𝗖𝗟𝗘𝗔𝗥 “If you don’t know where you’re going, any road will get you there.”   Don’t let this line from Alice in Wonderland define your career. Ask yourself... ❓ Where do I want to be next in my career? ❓ If I get laid off tomorrow, what strategies are needed to launch a search? ❓ What jobs currently exist in my target area or field? What is the best way to apply for these positions? Who is hiring? ❓ What are my strengths and abilities? Can these be summarized and supported with clear metrics and results? Use your answers to build a plan with defined goals and executable items. Revisit often and adjust according to new information, market trends, ideas, or opportunities....because, yes, things change, and you may change too. 2️⃣ 𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗡𝗘𝗖𝗧 Networking and referrals remain important job search tactics, so foster connections to leverage in the future. Build a solid base of connections in personal and professional communities, engaging consistently and authentically. Connect with people who can help, direct, support, or guide. Remember that people like to hire people they know and like – so set an objective to get on people’s radar for things you do well. Build your reputation – and your network – to support your career trajectory. 3️⃣ 𝗖𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗧𝗘 When was the last time your resume was updated? Use modern tactics to prepare a solid resume demonstrating your unique value related to your job target. And keep it refreshed. To help, create and maintain a success folder where you note ongoing career achievements and impacts. Results are essential in a resume (and during a job search!). In addition, ensure your LinkedIn profile is fully complete with current content, industry keywords, and value to help get you found by the right-fit employers and recruiters. Investment in multiple resources and activities is required to support short- and long-term career decisions and moves. Being proactive with a clear plan, strong connections, and compelling career tools will ensure you are better armed for different possibilities. #careers #careermanagement #resume #laidoff

𝗡𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗴𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗙𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗝𝗼𝗯𝘀: Opportunities, Challenges, and Insights The Future of Jobs presents a compelling narrative of transformation and opportunity. As we head towards 2030, the global job market is witnessing unparalleled changes driven by technological advancements, economic uncertainties, and demographic shifts. Here are the key insights that will shape the future 𝗢𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗔𝗯𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱: The Bright Side of Transformation By 2030, 170 million new jobs are expected to emerge, representing 14% of today's total employment. The top growth drivers include: 1. 𝗧𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗻𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗴𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗔𝗜: Roles like Big Data Specialists, AI Engineers, and Software Developers are among the fastest-growing. 2. 𝗚𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: Renewable Energy Engineers and Environmental Specialists are key players in the sustainability movement. 3. 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗘𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗼𝗺𝘆: Aging populations are creating demand for Nursing Professionals and Personal Care Aides. Are you equipping yourself for these roles of the future? 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗲𝘀: Job Displacement and Reskilling Amidst this growth, 92 million jobs will be displaced, with roles like Data Entry Clerks, Bank Tellers, and Administrative Assistants seeing the steepest declines. Alarmingly, 39% of existing skills are expected to become outdated. 𝗕𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲’𝘀 𝗵𝗼𝗽𝗲: 1. Upskilling Revolution: Over 85% of employers plan to prioritize workforce reskilling. 2. Emerging Skills: Analytical thinking, resilience, and technological literacy are at the forefront. How to future-proof your skills? 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗚𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: A Path to Sustainability Nearly 50% of employers believe efforts to reduce carbon emissions will transform their businesses. Green jobs are not just a buzzword but a necessity, with opportunities for professionals in renewable energy, autonomous vehicles, and environmental engineering. 𝗗𝗲𝗺𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗽𝗵𝗶𝗰 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗘𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗰 𝗦𝗵𝗶𝗳𝘁𝘀: The Dual Forces As high-income economies face ageing populations, developing nations benefit from expanding labour forces. This demographic dividend presents immense potential but requires inclusive job creation strategies. Meanwhile, geoeconomic fragmentation and inflation are reshaping priorities for businesses worldwide. How should you be navigating 👇 1. 𝗨𝗽𝘀𝗸𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗸𝗶𝗹𝗹: Leverage online platforms to learn high-demand skills. 2. 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗦𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆: Advocate for green initiatives within your organisation. 3. 𝗘𝗻𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗜𝗻𝗳𝗹𝘂𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲: Share your thoughts, ideas, and experiences to spark meaningful discussions. What trends do you see impacting your industry the most? #FutureOfWork #Jobs2025 #AIRevolution #GreenJobs #Innovation #DigitalTransformation #Sustainability #Reskilling #Upskilling #SkillDevelopment Apppl Combine – Marketing & Advertising Agency Fox&Angel Raashi R Daas #strategy #Marketing #mentor