“During the downturn, my career goals were mostly about surviving layoffs and staying employed. Now that the tech sector is bouncing back, I want to shift from survival mode to thinking more strategically about my future, but I don’t have a big, ambitious goal driving me forward right now. What’s the best way to refocus my goals and take advantage of the improving market?”
January often brings a rush to set resolutions and ambitious goals, but not having a grand vision for your career right now is okay. After years of uncertainty in tech, it’s natural to feel a bit disoriented. Instead of focusing on a singular, audacious goal, try designing thoughtful, incremental steps toward growth. Here are four guiding questions to help you refocus and navigate the recovering market.
What is your vision for the next year ahead?
In the startup world the pace is fast, and change is constant. Setting an exact roadmap for career growth and planning too far ahead can feel unrealistic. Instead, develop a vision within a manageable timeframe.
Imagine it’s December 2025; what did your standout successful year look like? What discomfort zones helped you leap forward? What new skills or knowledge made you more valuable in your role? Who did you learn the most from?
Now think about the building blocks that would make that vision a reality. For example, if you’re aiming for a leadership position this year: identify tangible opportunities to acquire the influence and communication skills you need; look for ways to grow your responsibilities and remit; figure out how to get more exposure to a leader that inspires you — and so on. Commit to courageous action that fosters genuine growth rather than modest progress.
At the same time, shorter time horizons shouldn’t mean just focusing on career tactics as this won’t move you forward in ways that matter. Reflect on your core values. If survival-mode led you to compromise on purpose — perhaps switching sectors or roles just to stay afloat — this could be the year to realign with work that feels meaningful.
Are you focused on the right priorities?
Working hard on the wrong things is a common career misstep. Survival-mode often leads to reactive work, which might not align with what matters most now. As the market improves, reassess how you spend your time. When the market outlook shifts, so do a company’s priorities. Evaluate how you spent your time last year and consider how it might look different this year given the different conditions affecting your work. What trade-offs did you make during the downturn, and how can you rebalance?
For example, it might be time to revisit sidelined strategic ideas or seek out leadership opportunities as teams cautiously rebuild. Staying aligned with your company’s evolving goals can help you make an outsized impact and bank valuable career capital. Staying stuck in yesterday’s mindset can create drift between your work and the company’s core objectives. Seek feedback from leaders to ensure your focus is sharp and forward-looking.
How well are you positioned for growth?
Your environment plays a key role in your development, and it’s hard to make progress without the right conditions for growth. Pay attention to what you can control: where do the most significant growth opportunities lie in your current role? Consider how you can maximise resources or people around you to activate them. Whether it’s stepping into leadership, switching teams, or taking steps to start your own venture, write out the specific routes that might be available to you.
Growth accelerates when personal agency aligns with the right environment; sometimes changing that environment altogether is necessary to better match your ambition and drive. If your learning curve is flattening, the improved market might be the right time to explore new opportunities. Reconnect with peers who’ve made interesting moves recently, and think of your career as a series of missions. Are you ready for another chapter where you are, or is it time to move on? Either way, aim to decide with purpose, not inertia.
What are you not confronting?
The toughest questions often hold the most clarity; sometimes survival mode means not confronting important truths. What are you not being honest about with yourself? Do you have fears about taking risks and failing, or niggling doubts about your chosen path? Are you minimising your happiness because staying where you are is the easiest option? Confronting these unspoken truths can unlock new possibilities and roads to travel. Growth rarely happens within the boundaries of comfort — don’t do a disservice to your talent and potential.
Having an audacious, well-defined goal can be inspiring, but it’s not mandatory to move forward. As the tech sector rebounds, small steps can compound into significant growth. Take your time, ask the right questions, and start building the path to your next chapter with purpose and clarity. Wishing you an impactful year ahead!
Zoe will be answering questions from Sifted readers each month. Have something you want to ask? Reach out at askzoe@sifted.eu.