Preparing for the New Year: Leadership Development or Job Hunt?

As we enter the new year, it’s the perfect time to take control of your career. Where are you headed in 2025? Are you ready to level up your leadership skills, or is this the year you commit to a job hunt? Too often, we let our careers drift, reacting to frustrations or external forces like layoffs. But here’s the truth: career success doesn’t happen by accident. The most successful women I work with approach their careers strategically, and you can too.

Here’s why you need to decide—right now—whether this year will be about leadership development or job hunting. Let’s dive into what it means to start 2025 with clarity and purpose, setting yourself up for a transformational year.

Are You Letting Your Career Drift?

Career drift happens when you don’t actively make choices about your next steps. Maybe you’ve said to yourself, “I need to leave because my boss is unbearable,” or, “They promised me a promotion years ago, but it still hasn’t happened.” Or perhaps you’re in a toxic workplace and feel forced to leave. While those reasons might feel valid, drifting often leads to stagnation, missed opportunities, and avoidable frustration.

The antidote to drift is intentionality. The most successful professionals aren’t waiting for opportunities to fall into their laps—they’re actively creating them. When I became intentional about my career, I prioritized leadership development and approached my job hunt with a clear strategy. The result? I transformed my career trajectory.

If you’ve been drifting, it’s time to ask yourself some tough questions:

• Are you happy in your current role?
• Are you growing in this role, or are you stagnating?
• Do you see a clear path to the next level?
• Are you underpaid or undervalued?

If the answers suggest it’s time for a change, you have two choices: focus on leadership development to grow within your current organization or go all in on a job hunt. Let’s break down how to choose.

When to Focus on Leadership Development

Leadership development is about increasing your scope, impact, and ability to thrive as a leader. Here are signs it should be your focus in 2025:

• You’re happy in your role and see a genuine path to growth.
• You lack certain leadership skills needed for future opportunities.
• You’re looking to stay relevant in a fast-evolving industry.

One way to assess whether you need skill development is to look at job descriptions for roles you aspire to. If 50% or more of the required skills are missing, it’s time to work on leadership development. This could mean influencing teams, navigating organizational politics, or learning to lead through change.

Remember, leadership isn’t just about technical skills. At higher levels, it’s about executive presence, business awareness, and the ability to influence others. Focus on building these skills now, and you’ll find doors opening internally and externally throughout the year.

When to Prioritize a Job Hunt

Sometimes, the best way to grow is to move on. If you’re in a toxic environment, undervalued, or stuck, it’s time to look for new opportunities. Here’s when job hunting should be your 2025 focus:

• Your growth is blocked by company politics or structural issues.
• You’ve been promised promotions that never materialize.
• Your skills aren’t being used effectively, or you’re underpaid.
• You’re dreading work, feeling stressed, or simply losing energy.

Remember, job hunting isn’t just about leaving a bad situation. It’s about finding a role that aligns with your values, skills, and aspirations. Promotions within your current company count as job hunting, too, especially in large organizations with opportunities to pivot internally.

Pro tip: Use external job offers strategically. They can sometimes fast-track a promotion within your current company—but only if you’re ready to leave if they call your bluff.

The Overlap Between Leadership Development and Job Hunting

Here’s the secret: strong leadership skills are critical for job hunting success. To stand out as a candidate, you need to be the best leader in the room, equipped with executive presence and a strong sense of direction. Whether you’re staying or moving on, leadership development will always amplify your opportunities.

Stronger leaders attract more opportunities—whether that’s internal promotions or external job offers. By focusing on leadership development, you’ll show up as the best version of yourself, energized and aligned with your long-term goals.

Take Stock of Your Career Now

Don’t let another year go by without taking control of your career. Here, at the beginning of 2025, ask yourself:

• Are you growing or stagnating?
• Are you in the right role?
• What’s your next step?

Whether you need to develop your leadership skills, start a job hunt, or both, the key is to act intentionally. Don’t sit in limbo, frustrated and stuck. Decide now what you’re going to do this year.

And if you need support, I’m here to help. I offer free 25-minute strategy sessions for women in tech. Let’s figure out how to reclaim your career trajectory today so you can make this your best year yet.

Stay in your tech leadership game, and remember: the world needs your unique talents as a leading woman in tech.

What’s your focus for 2025? Leadership development or job hunting? Share your thoughts in the comments!