How Do You Figure Out What’s Next?

I was recently speaking to a close friend who found himself unemployed

after mass layoffs hit the tech industry. After six years of being off the job market, he was preparing to search for his next role, a journey that felt both exciting and daunting. It’s exciting because every job search is an opportunity to embark on a new adventure. But for that adventure to be one you enjoy (and one you don’t get lost in), you need a clear process and strategy.

And if you don’t have one? That’s when it can start to feel overwhelming. The good news is, I’ve got you covered. Based on my own career journey and the many coaching conversations I’ve had, I’ve mapped out a process that will bring ease and clarity to your job search.

Let’s dive in!

1. Figure out what you want to do next.

This is the most pivotal step, I can’t stress this enough. If you don’t know what you want, you’ll be throwing darts blindly and, more often than not, missing the mark. Over time, that will wear you down and leave you feeling frustrated, stuck, and questioning your worth.

So, how do you figure out what you want? Here are a few ways to start:

Reflect on your past roles.

Ask yourself: What did I enjoy? What drained me? What did I wish I had more of? Think about the work you did day-to-day, the skills you used, and the moments when you felt most impactful and fulfilled. These reflections will help you identify what you want more of — and less of — in your next role, and give you sharper eyes when reading job descriptions.

Assess your past work environments.

Was your previous workplace fast-paced or steady? Office-based or remote? Collaborative or independent? Did you work with kind, intelligent, creative people? Ask yourself: Did I thrive in that environment? Or did it drain me? This exercise will quickly reveal the types of companies, cultures, and environments where you do your best work.

Explore Ikigai.

Ikigai is a Japanese concept that represents the sweet spot where your passions, strengths, and contributions meet. Think of it as the intersection of:

→ What you love

→ What you're good at

→ What the world needs

→ What you can be paid for

It’s a powerful exercise for rediscovering your professional purpose and identifying meaningful, aligned career paths.

2. Create a list of ideal roles and workplaces.

Once you’ve done this inner work, you’ll start noticing themes about your strengths, preferences, and environments where you thrive. Use those insights to build a clear list of the roles and companies you want to target.

This will sharpen your focus, simplify your search, and conserve your energy by steering you away from jobs that don’t align with your goals. When it comes to job hunting, being intentional and specific always leads to better results.

3. Perfect your resume and cover letter.

Now that you know what you want, it’s time to update your application materials.

Writing a strong resume and cover letter is a process in itself (and one I’ll cover in more depth another time). But for now, remember this: your resume and cover letter should clearly and enthusiastically highlight your experience, tailored to the requirements of each role.

And don’t skip this part: always ask someone you trust to review your documents before hitting submit. A fresh pair of eyes will help catch errors and uncover ways to strengthen your message.

4. Apply for jobs — sustainably and strategically.

One of the most common things I hear from job seekers is how burnt out they feel from applying to endless jobs, often without hearing back. I completely understand — it’s emotionally exhausting. But more isn’t always better.

My advice: Apply for 5–10 roles a day, and only to roles you genuinely want.

Be thoughtful, intentional, and selective. In my experience, this approach yields better results and a more positive job search experience. It’s the classic truth: quality over quantity.

5. Don’t underestimate the power of community.

Your network is one of the most valuable job search tools you have. Referrals and introductions often open doors faster than any job board ever could. Reach out to friends, former colleagues, mentors, and even acquaintances. Let them know you’re looking and ask if they can introduce you to someone hiring or someone in your target industry.

Remember: if you don’t ask, you don’t get.

This process will give you clarity on how to figure out your next step. And if after all this, you're still feeling stuck or not seeing the results you want, I highly recommend working with a career coach. Coaching provides the clarity, strategy, and accountability you need to confidently navigate your next chapter and fast-track your progress.

If you’re ready to stop second-guessing and start moving forward, I’d be happy to help you map out a clear path. Let’s connect.