Career Pathing Strategies

Don't allow humility keep you from accessing C-level and Board Roles- 9 lessons we learnt from Temitope Richard-Banji (PhD) on positioning for C-Level and Board Roles I recently had the honour of hosting a webinar with Dr. Temitope Richard-Banji, a seasoned Global Human Capital and Leadership consultant, Here are the key lessons: 1. Be Courageous Dr. Richard-Banji has reached out directly to CEOs of companies he wanted to work with on LinkedIn, which has led to roles at Accenture, Deloitte, and SRI Executive. His advice? Don’t hesitate to reach out directly to decision-makers. Bold moves can open doors to new opportunities. 2. Build Your Confidence Women often hesitate to apply for top roles. Dr. Richard-Banji stressed the importance of confidence and self-promotion. Keep a record of your achievements and learn to articulate them effectively. Overplayed humility can hinder your progress at leadership levels. 3. Highlight Strategic Achievements Focus on your strategic contributions rather than operational tasks. Senior roles require visionary leadership and the ability to drive transformative projects. Highlight your distinctive achievements that demonstrate your strategic thinking. 4. Overcome Impostor Syndrome Impostor syndrome among African women is rooted in structural and cultural conditioning. Societal and religious expectations place undue pressure on women, discouraging them from pursuing big careers. Dr. Richard-Banji emphasized overcoming these societal norms and recognising your worth. 5. Prepare for High-Level Interviews High-level interviews assess your problem-solving skills, decision-making abilities, and leadership style. Be authentic in psychometric assessments and understand how your values align with the organization’s values. Your influence and leadership style are crucial for C-suite roles. 6. Networking and Visibility Visibility is key for top roles. Engage in thought leadership activities like publishing articles and speaking at events. Build a strong professional network that can vouch for your expertise and open doors to new opportunities. 7. Volunteer for Board Experience Volunteering can provide valuable board experience. Serve on the boards of smaller organizations or charities to understand board dynamics and prepare for future roles. Platforms such as PTA, Old Girls Associations etc provide an excellent way to build your network and gain practical governance experience. 8. Leverage LinkedIn LinkedIn is your space for building visibility and influence. Use LinkedIn to dial up your influence and showcase your thought leadership. Engage with your network, share your insights, and connect with industry leaders. 9. Influence and Power Influence is the foundation of power. Be a person of influence by engaging with your community and building a network of followers. Your ability to influence others is a key indicator of your leadership potential. Which of these powerful tips resonated the most?

Don't chase 10,000 followers. Chase that one life-changing connection instead! As an ex-lawyer who's spent 4+ years building an online audience, I've seen many professionals stumble. They chase vanity metrics instead of hunting for their tribe. And they often make these 4 mistakes: 1️⃣ Fail to stay consistent  2️⃣ Keep selling their products - no one likes a hardcore salesman 3️⃣ Gatekeep everything that they know   4️⃣ Never share their personal story But the most successful content creators? They know that: 1. Your content should educate, inspire & entertain (not always at the same time) 2. You need to build systems to help keep you going 3. You should be generous with your knowledge - paying it forward is invaluable in the long run 4. People connect with people, not ‘company values’.  5. Your LinkedIn profile isn’t just a resume; it’s a landing page 6. LinkedIn is ultimately a place for you to network. So network - by having actual conversations with people! 7. 99% of people give up. So don't give up. 8. Don't be afraid to repeat yourself. There'll always be someone who hasnt heard your story. 9. Swipe files are a game-changer: Create a notion doc to keep track of interesting content - use that as inspiration when you're writing your own content 10. Have a clear brand - there’s a reason why some people market themselves as “The Productivity Guy” or “Miss Excel” 11. Once you have a brand, create content pillars for yourself, i.e. categories that you want to be known for. Don’t go beyond 3-5.  12. Be disciplined. Stick to the 3-5 pillars. If you follow a creator for their startup insights, you won’t want to see a flood of content on his weekend fishing trips, would you? 13. Write like you’re in a coffee shop with some close friends. Social media writing ≠ formal writing 14. Use emojis (albeit sparingly & only where appropriate) - they give your writing a pop of colour 💥 15. Understand who you’re talking to & what they want - you’re writing for them, not yourself 16. Always experiment - last year, LinkedIn carousels were huge. Nowadays, it matters less and word-only posts are doing well. You’ll know what works only if you keep experimenting 17. Be punchy - most will spend 5 seconds reading your work 18. Adapt according to different platforms - newsletters allow for longer-form writing, Instagram loves graphics and TikTok are full of floating head reels 19. People are always watching - only put out content that you want the world to remember for forever! 20. Take a break when you need it. The 🌏 isn’t going to end and often, people will never notice 😅 Audience building is a marathon. It takes a long time to build trust and often, it’s hard to measure. You’ll see it come to fruition years after you first started. So while you should bear the 20 things above in mind, remember to also have fun. It’s the only way to stay insane in this online world while building a thriving audience with your personal brand. 😂 Wouldn’t you agree?

Samay: "Sandip sir, I am trying a lot but am unable to land a job in this excessively competitive job market, what should I do ?" Sandip: "Have you tried 𝐁𝐥𝐮𝐞 𝐎𝐜𝐞𝐚𝐧 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐲 ?" Samay: "But sir, what is this Blue Ocean strategy? " Sandip: "Sure, no worries, let me explain in a simple, way" First, what is the 𝐁𝐥𝐮𝐞 𝐎𝐜𝐞𝐚𝐧 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐲? The 𝐁𝐥𝐮𝐞 𝐎𝐜𝐞𝐚𝐧 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐲 is an approach that focuses on creating new, untapped market spaces, or "blue oceans," rather than competing in crowded, existing markets, known as "red oceans." Samay: "But exactly how we can use this strategy for job search ?" Sandip: "Let me list those for you point by point" 𝐓𝐚𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐬𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐣𝐨𝐛 𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐞𝐭𝐬: Instead of applying to popular, highly competitive roles, focus on niche industries or emerging fields where there are fewer candidates but growing demand (e.g. for DevOps Engineers: MlOps, AIOps, DevOps for blockchain, DevOps in healthcare ). This is similar to finding a "blue ocean" in job hunting. 𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐩 𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐪𝐮𝐞 𝐬𝐤𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐬: Instead of competing for common skills like general programming or project management, develop specialized expertise (e.g., cloud security for fintech) that sets you apart. This reduces competition and makes your skills highly sought after. 𝐈𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐣𝐨𝐛 𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬: Instead of sending standard resumes and cover letters, use creative approaches like personalized video introductions, portfolios showcasing your skills, or targeted case studies to grab attention in new ways that your competition isn’t using. 𝐍𝐞𝐭𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤 𝐢𝐧 𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐬: Rather than networking in popular spaces where everyone is seeking jobs (e.g., large job fairs or LinkedIn job boards), look for smaller, niche professional groups or communities (such as local meetups, or specialized Slack groups) where the competition is lower, but opportunities can still arise. Samay: "Sandip Sir, now, I understand it, let me apply this in my job search" Sandip : "Best of luck, and let me hear the good news soon 🙌"

The career ladder just snapped in half - here's how to climb without it...   Aneesh Raman's recent piece for NY Times confirms what many of us in recruitment have been observing: AI is systematically eliminating entry-level positions across industries.   But there's a critical element missing from this conversation.   Those "bottom rung" jobs weren't just paychecks - they were professional boot camps that taught fundamental workplace skills, built confidence, and created career momentum.   Without this traditional foundation, professionals need to completely reimagine how career development works.   The New Career Playbook:   Instead of waiting for the next assignment, start thinking strategically about business problems and solutions from day one.   Rather than simply performing tasks well, focus on building a professional brand that demonstrates unique value and perspective.   Learn to leverage AI as an accelerator for your capabilities rather than viewing it as a threat to your relevance.   Develop the power skills that remain uniquely human: nuanced communication, adaptive thinking, and strategic judgment.   Create visibility both within your organization and across your industry through consistent value demonstration.   Take ownership of your professional narrative rather than letting others define your worth and potential.   The fundamental shift is this: the new workplace rewards output and impact over tenure and titles.   Without traditional entry-level roles to provide gradual skill building, professionals must become self-directed strategists immediately.   This isn't just about surviving technological change - it's about thriving in an environment where relevance matters more than rank.   How are you adapting your approach to career development in this shifting landscape?   Sign up to my newsletter for more corporate insights and truths here: https://lnkd.in/ei_uQjju   CC: Raman, Aneesh. “I’m a LinkedIn Executive. I See the Bottom Rung of the Career Ladder Breaking.” The New York Times, 19 May 2024,   https://lnkd.in/eBYgTaRd   #deepalivyas #eliterecruiter #recruiter #recruitment #jobsearch #corporate #ai #careerladder #futureofwork #careerstrategist

How to build a bigger creator middle class: This isn’t just wishful thinking. I’ve spent years in the trenches of digital media, helping creators grow their brands, build sustainable businesses, and reach millions of people. And if my kids ever choose this path, I want them to have real opportunities—not just a long-shot dream. Here’s what I’ve learned: 1. Educate about monetization. 📌 Most creators don’t fail because they lack talent. They fail because they don’t know how to make money. 🎯 We need to talk openly about revenue models—brand deals, syndication, platform payouts, memberships. No more gatekeeping. 2. Encourage collaboration. 📌 No one makes it alone. 🎯 Some of the biggest creator success stories happened because people teamed up, cross-promoted, and built each other up. Find your people. Help each other grow. 3. Diversify income streams. 📌 Putting all your eggs in one algorithmic basket is risky. 🎯 One tweak to a recommendation system can destroy a creator’s income overnight. The solution? Multiple revenue streams—merch, courses, licensing, direct support. Future-proof your career. 4. Support fair pay. 📌 Exposure doesn’t pay the bills. 🎯 If a platform or brand needs a creator’s content, they should pay fairly for it. Period. If we normalize fair compensation, we create a sustainable industry. 5. Promote transparency. 📌 Nobody talks about money enough. 🎯 When creators share real numbers, it empowers others to negotiate better deals. Knowledge is leverage. 6. Share wins. 📌 This path is hard, but it’s possible. 🎯 I’ve seen creators go from struggling to thriving because they kept going, learned from others, and adapted. When we share our wins, we light the way for those that come next. ---- If you like this post, please consider sharing and following me.  👋 Hi, I'm Olivier, and I help companies with digital transformation, specifically focusing on how brands and personalities can grow their audiences cross platform and the teams they need to build this strategy. 💸

You are not moving forward in your career because of this. You're using outdated strategies to chase elevated goals. Still applying online and wondering why you're ghosted. Still waiting to be noticed instead of being intentional with your visibility. Still underselling your value while aiming for leadership roles. The roles you're targeting now won’t respond to the methods that got you your last one. Here’s how to shift that: 1. Reposition your brand. Your resume and LinkedIn shouldn’t reflect where you’ve been. 2. Get off the job boards. At the leadership level, roles are filled through conversations, not applications. 3. Articulate your edge. Stop listing what you’ve done. Start talking about the problems you solve. 4. Elevate your interview presence. Senior roles require more than strong answers. 5. Don’t guess, get feedback. If you’ve been job searching for months without traction, something’s off. The truth? Your experience is not the issue. Your strategy is. And when you get that right, doors open quickly. Because at this level, it’s not just about who’s qualified. It’s about who’s positioned to be the obvious choice. Curious to hear, what shift made the biggest difference in your career? Drop it in the comments.

The game has changed. Personal branding in 2025 isn’t just about visibility—it’s about depth, trust, and sustainability. The old tactics of just showing up and posting consistently? Not enough. People crave authenticity, depth, and long-term impact. Here’s what’s shaping personal branding this year: 👉 AI Is Your Amplifier, Not Your Replacement With AI-powered content flooding social media, human connection is the differentiator. Thought leaders in 2025 use AI to enhance their ideas, not replace them. Personal branding is now about showcasing your unique insights, experiences, and perspectives—not just repackaging trends. 🔥 Winning move: Share personal stories, fresh insights, and bold opinions AI can’t replicate. 👉 Video & Voice Dominate—But Only if You’re Real Short-form videos and podcasts aren’t optional anymore. But here’s the shift: People don’t just want polished content; they want realness. Candid, unfiltered, and conversational content is outperforming scripted, overly produced content. 🔥 Winning move: Show up on video. Speak on industry panels. Start a podcast or regularly contribute to one. 👉 Niche Depth Beats General Influence The biggest personal brands in 2025 aren’t chasing vanity metrics. They are owning micro-niches and becoming irreplaceable voices in their fields. Broad generalists get drowned out; those who double down on a niche stand out. 🔥 Winning move: Find your niche, go deep, and be known for something specific. 👉 Trust Is the New Currency Trust is crucial in the era of deepfakes and AI-generated content. Personal brands must now focus on building credibility through consistent value, proof of expertise, and community engagement. 🔥 Winning move: Show your work. Share case studies, testimonials, and real-life experiences that demonstrate your expertise. 👉 Personal Branding Is a Business Model, Not Just an Identity In 2025, creators and professionals aren’t just building an audience—they are monetizing their expertise through courses, consulting, speaking, newsletters, and product collaborations. Your personal brand isn’t just a profile—it’s an ecosystem. 🔥 Winning move: Build assets—newsletters, digital products, courses, and community-driven memberships. Follow #socialJJ to read more posts on personal branding. #personalbranding

At my cousin's wedding, I watched the photographer work. 3,000 photos taken. 47 delivered. "Why so few?" I asked. "Madam, people don't want to see everything. They want to see the best version of their story." That's when it clicked me🔻 This is exactly how we should manage our careers. We're taking 3,000 skills, and showing all 3,000. Result? Confusion, not clarity. 📌As per LinkedIn’s data: Profiles with 5 focused skills get 17x more views than those listing 20+. The paradox: More is less when everything matters equally. So, here’s the "Portfolio Curation Method" I now teach: Capture Everything (backstage) -Document all projects -Track all learnings -Note all connections Curate Strategically (frontstage) -Show 3-5 signature strengths -Highlight pattern of impact -Tell a cohesive story Archive Wisely (storage) -Keep records for depth -Pull when relevant -Update quarterly Example transformation: BEFORE: "Experienced in project management, data analysis, team building, Excel, presentation skills, communication, leadership, problem-solving..." AFTER: "I transform complex data into stories that drive million-dollar decisions." Understand the pattern: Same person with a curated story getting 10x more interviews. Last quarter, a client reduced her LinkedIn skills from 23 to 4. Recruiter messages increased 300%. Why? Because when you stand for everything, you stand out for nothing. The photographer was right: People don't want to see everything. They want to see the best version of your story. P.S. What would happen if you showed only your best 47 photos instead of all 3,000? #CareerPortfolio #PersonalBranding #StorytellingInBusiness #ProfessionalBrand #CareerStrategy #LinkedInTips #PortfolioCuration

(Still more) unsolicited (and unpopular) career advice for job-hunting salespeople.... 1 - Focus your ask. Namely: STOP asking for help with finding a job to suit specific ROLES. START asking for help with finding a job to suit specific COMPANIES. It's not "Do you know anyone looking for salespeople in Atlanta?" Because to those employed, how would they???? Far more powerful and effective to ask: "Who do you know at Coca-Cola, Mailchimp, or Secureworks?" THAT request is likely to trigger the memories of your LI connections in a much more productive way - plus it will probably get you a "side-door" introduction that bypasses the traditional jobseeker. 2 - Lose the side hustle. Not entirely, of course. A person has got to earn. But why add it to your LinkedIn bio? If your most recent position is "MyOwnName Consulting, LLC." for the last 3 months since you have been laid off, it is probably a hard pass by most 1st line job screeners. Hustling is fine, but not to the interviewer. And for most CVs? Less is more. 3 - Partners / Alliance / Channels These three departments (particularly in tech) often indicate the growth plans of many companies. And here is a secret - their initial teams are often built out of internal transfers. This means they often represent opportunities that are never publicly posted! Do some research and network directly into these departments. 4. Change (industry) lanes In tech? Consider leaving tech. The learning curve to leave an industry you have been in may feel daunting, but the unique perspective you bring to a new industry is often appreciated and highly valued. Just like every economy before this one, when some sectors suffer, others prevail. Put your lane-signal on. *** Remember - job search activities that are relatively easy to do (email blasts, "easy-apply" applications, LinkedIn posts, etc.) equally attract hopelessly large numbers of competition. Activities that require more thought, creativity, and stamina often reduce the queue to just you. Just like in sales. ;) Happy searching, Jeff

One of the top mistakes people make whilst transitioning out of the military? Approaching networking without a strategy. The truth is your next role is likely just 2 or 3 connections away, but making random connections won't get you there. Three tactics that actually work: - Find your "bridge contacts", the people who understand both military and corporate worlds. They can help translate your value. - Connect with veterans already working in your target field. Their experience can provide shortcuts you won't find elsewhere. - Consistency beats intensity, reaching out to 2 or 3 targeted contacts weekly is far more effective than mass connecting. Submitting applications on career sites may get you some traction eventually but relationships are the real doorway to opportunities.