5 Steps to Career Clarity - the most important take aways from our LiAudio Event

5 Steps to Gaining Career Clarity: Key Takeaways from Our LinkedIn Live Event

Career uncertainty is something most of us face at some point. Whether it's questioning your current role or simply feeling unsure about your next move, these moments of doubt can be overwhelming. That’s why in our recent LinkedIn Live event, we broke down five actionable steps to help anyone gain career clarity. Hosted by myself and Alexandra, both seasoned career coaches, the event was a mix of practical advice, personal stories, and interactive moments that made it informative and fun!

Here’s a recap of the key takeaways from the session, structured into five steps you can apply right away to bring more focus to your career path.

1. Gain Clarity on Your Current Situation and Define Your Vision

The first and most crucial step is understanding where you are right now. So often, people are quick to say, “I need to quit” or “I’m not happy with this job,” but when asked, “What do you really want?” the answer is unclear. During the event, we shared a powerful exercise: ask yourself repeatedly, “What do I really want?” Like peeling an onion, this question helps uncover layers of your desires and goals.

A special moment during the session came when Alexandra suggested flipping the clarity question: instead of asking what you want, start by defining what you don’t want. This can help identify those nagging dissatisfactions that weigh us down and give clues toward the right path.

Pro Tip: Use playful techniques to break through mental blocks. Niv shared how using Lego Serious Play can help clients visualize their career vision. Grab any Lego set, build something representing your ideal future, and use that as a springboard for discussion.

2. Identify and Leverage Your Strengths

Understanding your strengths is crucial in aligning your career with your personal attributes. However, many of us struggle to acknowledge our own strengths—especially if we’ve been taught not to “brag.” Growing up, I personally experienced this, and it’s something many of my clients face too.

Alexandra made an insightful point about exploring both natural skills (things you’ve been good at since childhood) and learned skills (competencies you’ve acquired over time). Identifying your natural talents can help unlock ideas for career paths that align with your core strengths.

We also shared practical tools like the 16 Personalities Test, the MBTI, the hi5 Test or the Clifton StrengthsFinder. These assessments offer a great starting point to understand your personal traits and can give you a boost in confidence about what you bring to the table.

Pro Tip: Don’t just focus on your current job. Take a broader look at your past experiences, even childhood memories, to recognize strengths you might have overlooked.

3. Make Bold and Confident Decisions

Once you have clarity and understand your strengths, the next step is making decisions—sometimes bold ones! This part can be particularly challenging because it often means letting go of options or paths that no longer serve you. It’s not just about knowing what you want to do but also about realizing what you’re willing to give up to move forward.

A special moment in the event was when we discussed the “Time Machine” exercise. Imagine going forward one year or three years into the future. What advice would your future self give you today? This mental leap often encourages people to make braver, more confident decisions.

Pro Tip: Trust that clarity doesn’t always come overnight. It’s a process that involves reflection, and sometimes it means choosing the less obvious path.

4. Build and Utilize Your Network

In today’s work environment, career success is often as much about who you know as it is about what you know. Networking isn’t just about finding a new job—it’s about fostering relationships that help guide you along your career path.

One of the most useful insights we shared during the event was how to network with intention. Instead of approaching people with a generic ask, engage in meaningful conversations. What can you offer them? How can you make it a mutual exchange?

The event took a humorous turn when we reflected on how we’ve both experienced awkward networking moments. Alexandra shared how even in uncomfortable situations, there’s always something to learn.

Pro Tip: Networking isn’t just for job-seekers. Building relationships regularly can provide long-term career support and clarity.

5. Take Action

Finally, the most important step: taking action. All the clarity, strengths identification, and decision-making mean little if you don’t act on them. We encouraged participants to start small but keep moving. Consistent action creates momentum.

To help people get started, I provide a Happy Career Assessment. This assessment helps clarify your goals, values, and challenges, giving you a clearer career compass. During the session, several participants shared how transformative this was for them in setting actionable career steps.

Pro Tip: If you’re unsure where to start, create a 30-day action plan. Break your larger goals into bite-sized tasks and track your progress.

Special Moments

One of the standout moments of the event was the unexpected exchange between Alexandra and myself. Both passionate about career coaching, we found ourselves finishing each other’s sentences, sharing excitement over the transformative power of gaining career clarity. Another memorable moment was when Alexandra mentioned how important it is to understand that clarity doesn’t happen like a “lightbulb moment” but is often the result of continuous questioning and exploration. This brought a lot of nods from the audience!

Final Thoughts

Achieving career clarity is a journey that requires introspection, creativity, and a willingness to make changes. If you missed the event or need a refresher, these five steps—gaining clarity, identifying strengths, making bold decisions, networking, and taking action—provide a solid roadmap. And remember, career clarity isn't about having all the answers—it’s about making progress toward the ones that matter to you.

Have you tried any of these steps before? What has worked best for you in gaining career clarity? Share your thoughts! Thank you for joining Aleksandra Czekalska .