Career Jitters - How to Shake Off Stagnation and Launch into New Opportunities?
In a rapidly changing world, professional stagnation is a pressing concern, especially among younger generations and mid-level executives. As industries evolve, the risk of being left behind has never been higher. For many, the inability to adapt means career growth comes to a standstill. How do you break out of this cycle?
The key is to adopt a strategic approach to career management, one that positions you for long-term transformation rather than short-term gains.
The single most important piece of advice is this: manage your career before someone else does it for you. Taking ownership of your career path is not optional; it’s a necessity. Here, we explore actionable strategies to break through stagnation and transform your career trajectory.
The Case for Career Ownership
More than 70% of Gen Z and millennials globally feel their employers don’t help them develop skills for the future. This highlights the growing need for professionals to take control of their own career progression. Instead of waiting for opportunities to come to you, proactively manage your career and align your choices with a long-term vision that looks beyond your current role.
1. Skills Audit and Gap Analysis
Your skillset is your currency in the job market, and it’s constantly devaluing unless you keep it updated. Regularly assess your skills against market demands. With the rapid rise of AI, automation, and digital transformation, skills such as digital literacy, leadership, and cross-functional competencies are becoming essential for staying competitive.
Conduct a skills audit every 12-18 months. Identify gaps between your current expertise and where the market is heading. This self-assessment can lead to targeted development, whether it’s in digital upskilling, leadership training, or certifications in emerging technologies.
2. Role Stretching
Another effective way to avoid stagnation is by role stretching—taking on assignments that push your boundaries. This doesn’t necessarily mean moving up the corporate ladder. Sometimes, lateral moves, project-based work, or exposure to other functions can provide the breadth of experience that enhances your versatility.
3. Continuous Learning
In an era where industries can be disrupted overnight, continuous learning is non-negotiable. This could involve executive education, industry workshops, certifications, or even an MBA. Continuous learning not only helps you stay relevant but also signals to employers that you are adaptable and forward-thinking.
4. Mentorship and Sponsorship
Cultivating relationships with mentors and sponsors is a powerful tool in overcoming stagnation. As one 2020 survey showed, those who had the opportunity to be mentored were five times more likely to be promoted.
A mentor provides career guidance, shares wisdom, and helps you navigate uncertainty. Sponsors, on the other hand, actively advocate for you when advancement opportunities arise. Both relationships are crucial, especially in industries or organisations where visibility can be a challenge.
5. Networking as a Growth Strategy
In today’s globalised job market, networking isn’t just beneficial—it’s essential. Your network could be the key differentiator that unlocks your next career move. However, networking should be purpose-driven.
Purpose-Driven Networking
Instead of simply collecting contacts, build relationships aligned with your career objectives. Networking should help you expand geographically, gain industry-specific insights, or develop leadership skills. Use platforms like LinkedIn and global conferences to connect with thought leaders, share content, and engage in meaningful conversations. Don’t wait until you need something—build your network before you need it.
Global networks can significantly accelerate your career. For instance, the UoMSEA’s Global MBA offers students a global platform, connecting them with alumni and industry leaders from diverse backgrounds. This is an immediate gateway to new opportunities, beyond national or industry borders.
6. Maintaining Relationships
Building a network is one thing; maintaining it is another. Consistent, meaningful engagement is the cornerstone of strong professional relationships. Check in with your contacts regularly. Share valuable insights or introduce them to others in your network. Keeping your relationships alive ensures that they remain beneficial for both parties.
Read more: Are You Ready to be the Leader of Your Career?
Coaching, Mentoring, and Career Counselling
Another way to combat stagnation is through coaching, mentoring, and career counselling—each offering distinct, but complementary benefits.
Coaching: Future-Focused Development
Coaching unlocks potential by focusing on future possibilities. It answers the question, "What do I want?" and involves self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and strategic thinking. Coaching fosters clarity around your career vision and helps you map out actionable steps to achieve it.
Mentoring: Leveraging Experience
In contrast, mentoring draws from the mentor’s personal experiences. As a career mentor, I’ve worked with professionals across diverse industries, helping them navigate career transitions, leadership challenges, and role uncertainties. A mentor is particularly invaluable during periods of stagnation or change.
For instance, I once mentored a first-time manager in a multinational firm who felt consistently overlooked for promotion, despite strong performance metrics. They were frustrated and convinced that management was biased. In our sessions, we worked on shifting their mindset from frustration to proactive ownership. We focused on what was within their control—strengthening visibility, building relationships, and showcasing leadership skills. Through volunteering for high-impact projects and refining their communication with senior leaders, they were recognised for a leadership role in a different division within six months and were later promoted by the end of the year.
This shift—from feeling overlooked to taking accountability for their growth—shows how mentoring can turn career stagnation into a transformative journey.
Career Counselling: Tactical Guidance
Finally, career counselling provides practical advice on role transitions, upskilling, and navigating industry shifts. It offers the frameworks, templates, and guidance needed to clarify objectives and pursue them strategically.
Read more: 7 Soft Skills You Should Master To Advance Your Career
Mastering the Job Search
When it’s time to find a new role, navigating the job search can be daunting. However, by focusing on job search efficiency, personal branding, and leveraging LinkedIn, you can improve your chances of landing your ideal job.
1. Clarity of Purpose
Begin with a clear understanding of your career goals. Reflect on what truly motivates you: what roles, industries, and companies resonate with your values, passions, and long-term vision? A focused job search is far more efficient than a scattershot approach, allowing you to concentrate your efforts on opportunities that align with your aspirations. Not only does this clarity help in your search, but it also comes across in interviews, where a confident sense of direction can be compelling to employers.
2. Personal Branding
Your personal brand is more than just a collection of skills; it's your unique value proposition to employers. It’s how you present yourself to the world—through your CV, LinkedIn profile, and overall online presence. Be intentional about how you showcase your strengths, experience, and achievements. The job market is crowded—employers aren’t just looking for qualifications, they want to know why you are the best fit for their team. Your brand should tell a coherent story about who you are, what you’ve accomplished, and what makes you different from the competition.
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3. Tailored CVs and Cover Letters
Customising your CV and cover letter for each application is critical. Employers can spot generic applications from a mile away. Research the company, understand the role, and tailor your application to emphasise the skills and experiences most relevant to the position. Highlight achievements and contributions that align with the company’s needs, and use specific keywords from the job description. 63% of hiring managers prefer candidates who tailor their resumes to the job they are applying for. Show that you’ve taken the time to understand the position, and make it clear why you’re the best fit.
If you are confident that you are a strong fit for the role you’re pursuing through online applications but consistently face rejection, it’s time to pivot your approach and focus on networking directly with potential hiring managers.
Blaming the software or feeling unfairly treated is unproductive - online portals are often saturated with applicants, and automated screening tools may be looking for attributes that you do not claim.
Rather, take action by strategically networking to create meaningful connections with decision-makers. Reach out to professionals within your target companies, attend industry events, and leverage platforms like LinkedIn to engage in conversations with hiring managers. This direct interaction not only showcases your interest but also allows you to present your unique value proposition in a way that stands out from the crowd—something that often gets lost in the impersonal nature of online applications.
4. Leveraging LinkedIn
LinkedIn is not just a job-search platform; it’s a powerful personal marketing tool that can enhance your professional visibility. Optimise your profile by keeping it updated with relevant skills, certifications, and accomplishments. Use it actively to share industry insights, comment on trending topics, and engage with thought leaders to build credibility within your field. Follow companies you're interested in, join relevant groups, and leverage LinkedIn’s advanced search tools to identify and connect with professionals working at your target organisations. This proactive engagement not only helps build your network but can also position you as a knowledgeable and enthusiastic candidate when the right opportunity arises.
5. Active Networking
Networking is one of the most powerful tools in your job search arsenal. Studies show that referrals can boost your chances of getting hired by up to 15%. Networking doesn’t just involve cold outreach—look to build genuine relationships. Attend industry events, participate in webinars, and don’t be afraid to ask for informational interviews or mentorship from professionals in your field. Engage with alumni networks, join associations, and remain active in industry-specific groups. These interactions often lead to learning about unadvertised job openings or opportunities that may not have even been created yet. A simple coffee meeting or LinkedIn message can turn into a potential job lead or long-term professional connection.
Mastering Interviews and Assessment Centres
Once you’ve landed an interview, preparation is key.
- Understand its culture, mission, and pain points. Prepare to articulate how your skills can help solve their problems.
- Structure your responses to competency-based questions using the CAR method Context, Action, Result—is a structured approach where candidates describe the situation or challenge they faced (Context), the steps they personally took to address it (Action), and the positive outcome or impact of those actions (Result), ensuring clear, concise, and results-oriented responses. This framework demonstrates impact and is easy to recall.
- Practice makes perfect. Engage in mock interviews with mentors or coaches who can offer constructive feedback.
- After every interview, reflect on what went well and where you can improve. This ensures continuous improvement over time.
Conclusion
Professional stagnation doesn’t happen overnight—it’s the result of passivity. To overcome it, take proactive steps to manage your career, continuously upgrade your skills, build purposeful networks, and position yourself for future growth. With the right mindset and strategies, stagnation can be transformed into a springboard for career evolution.
By embracing a structured, intentional approach, professionals can continuously adapt, grow, and thrive in an ever-changing landscape. Remember: your career is your responsibility—and the best way to secure your future is to actively shape it.
Edited by: Kiran Tuljaram
Personal
Andrew Jones is an accomplished Executive Coach, Teacher, and Facilitator. He works with a wide range of organizations, academic institutions and individuals, from MNC leaders to entrepreneurs, across various industries. With more than 30 years’ experience in Asia, Andrew has helped clients navigate complex career and leadership challenges using a blend of one-to-one coaching, mentoring, and career counseling that he adapts for each client. He guides them through deepening self-awareness and unravelling the assumptions that are holding them back from accelerating their professional and leadership growth. Andrew coaches and teaches at leading business schools, including facilitating career development workshops for Global MBA students and alumni at The University of Manchester South East Asia Centre.
