Careers are rarely built through one giant leap. They are built through deliberate moves that steadily compound over time.

Each role should add something new. A new skill, exposure to new technology, or experience contributing to a different type of project. Over time, these incremental gains begin to stack up and fundamentally change how the market values you.

For that reason, every new role should pass a simple test: Where will this job position me in 18 months’ time?

When I speak with candidates about a potential move, I always try to understand their true motivation for leaving their current role. More importantly, I want to understand why they are attracted to that specific opportunity, because every career move should be intentional. Just as importantly, I want to ensure the move will strengthen their long-term market positioning, not simply solve a short-term problem.

Too often candidates focus on the immediate detail: What project will I be working on? A far more important question is how the role will position them in the next 18–24 months. Will it expose them to new technology, build a capability they do not currently have, or strengthen their overall market value? Or will it simply be a slightly different version of what they already know?

At the moment there is significant focus on hybrid work and flexibility. These things absolutely matter, but sometimes in prioritising comfort we forget to ask the more important question: Is this role actually building my trajectory?

The traditional question about a five-year career plan feels increasingly outdated, particularly in technology where the landscape changes so quickly. Careers today are rarely linear, and many professionals will move across industries, roles, or even entirely different career chapters over time. However, the underlying principle remains the same. Whether you are building depth in one domain or breadth across several, each move should still add something.

That is where meaningful career planning really sits. Careers are rarely built through one defining leap. They are built through deliberate moves that steadily compound.

So when considering your next role, ask yourself one simple question: Will this opportunity position me differently in 18 months’ time?

If the answer is yes, it is likely a move worth making.

Exploring your next career move? Please reach out to the team.