184. Fit or Quit? Find the Job That is Right For You—Catalyze Your Career
Feb 6, 2025
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Catherine Fisher, Vice President of Global Consumer Communications at LinkedIn, shares her insights on proactive career growth. She emphasizes that true career success involves adaptability, networking, and taking control before challenges arise. Fisher discusses the importance of self-reflection, personal branding, and job crafting to align your work with your strengths. With practical strategies for navigating non-linear career paths and the power of self-advocacy, listeners will learn how to cultivate their careers actively, rather than reactively.
Proactive career management involves nurturing your professional network and continuously acquiring new skills to remain adaptable and prepared for future opportunities.
Self-reflection is essential in recognizing job satisfaction and motivation levels, helping individuals determine necessary changes before making significant career decisions.
Deep dives
Recognizing Signals for Career Changes
It’s essential to reflect on your motivation levels and overall job satisfaction as indicators for a potential career pivot. Signs like reduced motivation, increased annoyance with routine tasks, and a lack of interest in learning often signal that changes may be needed. Before hastily deciding to switch companies, it’s important to evaluate the root causes of these feelings, which could stem from managerial relationships or boredom rather than the job itself. Taking the time for self-reflection can help individuals identify what changes are truly necessary before making significant career decisions.
Proactive Career Management
Staying prepared for new job opportunities requires proactive career management strategies. Building and maintaining a strong professional network is crucial, akin to nurturing a garden that needs consistent care to thrive. Continuous learning is vital as job requirements evolve rapidly; being adaptable and committed to skill development ensures readiness for future roles. Engaging in career preparation should be treated like an athlete training for their sport—ongoing efforts lead to better outcomes in the long run.
The Importance of a Growth Mindset
Adopting a growth mindset is vital for navigating career development and feeling more adaptable in a changing job landscape. Embracing the idea that career paths are not linear can alleviate the stress associated with needing to acquire new skills. Instead of overwhelming yourself with the perception of needing extensive education, setting aside just a few minutes a day for bite-sized learning can facilitate gradual skill enhancement. Cultivating this mindset enables individuals to view challenges as opportunities for growth, fostering resilience and continued personal development.
Stay prepared, build your network, and take control of your career.
Most of us know that career growth is important—but according to Catherine Fisher, we're thinking about it all wrong. It’s not just about landing a job or climbing the ladder; it’s about staying adaptable, building strong connections, and being proactive about opportunities before you need them. As LinkedIn’s Vice President of Global Consumer Communications, Fisher has spent years helping professionals navigate an evolving job market. She says the biggest mistake people make is waiting until they’re unhappy or unemployed to think about their next move. “Your network is like a garden,” she explains. “You have to tend to it constantly if you want it to thrive.” In this episode of Think Fast Talk Smart, Fisher joins Matt Abrahams to share practical, actionable strategies for staying ahead. From recognizing when it’s time for a change to job crafting and personal branding, they explore how small but intentional moves can shape a career that aligns with your strengths and ambitions. Whether you're feeling stuck or simply want to future-proof your career, this conversation will give you the tools to stay in control and ready for what’s next.
This episode is brought to you by LinkedIn. Explore your job potential at Linkedin.com/jobs.