Quit? Stay? Or, Grow and Go! Job Shaping for Career Growth

I’ll admit—I have a hidden agenda in this series.

While I’ve framed the question as stay or go, the real focus is on breaking free from either-or thinking. It's about adopting a more intentional, strategic, and opportunity-driven approach to your career. That means evaluating what you truly need to thrive (Part 2) and using those insights to assess where you are and determine your next move.

If leaving is urgent (Part 3), create an exit plan now (more on that in the next newsletter).

Staying can be a powerful, intentional choice. One that expands your opportunities when you approach it with an open mind, adaptability, creativity, and the courage to reflect on yourself. (Who wouldn’t want to strengthen those qualities?)

Whatever your reason, sticking around doesn’t have to be miserable or soul-sucking.

Why not make the most of where you are with Job Shaping? 

The best move may be to reshape your job to better meet your needs and goals, at least for now. This strategic shift can improve your present experience and position you for a future move that aligns with your definition of better.

Hang in here with me,

I know you've already tried to improve your situation—of course, you have. But discouragement stifles creativity; it happens to the best of us. I’ve worked with many clients in your shoes and seen how opportunities can be hidden in plain sight.

So ask yourself: have you truly explored every way to improve your situation? Especially now that you have a clearer understanding of what you need?

How to Job Shape for Career Growth

Job Shaping starts with the premise that any job can deliver more of what you want and need. Choosing what to shape depends on what you learned from assessing your current role during the "as if' exercise (see Part 2 ).

1) Start from the areas that have low satisfaction. Have fun generating ideas with these domains in mind. (See Sydney for an example.)

• Activities (your tasks

• Workplace connections (the people and your relationships)

• Your perceptions and thinking (mindset, thought process)

2) After you brainstorm a robust list, look closely at which opportunities have the most potential to help you get closer to your vision, preparing you for what’s next with new skills, new relationships internally or externally, or accomplishments that will add to your value where you are now and for future you.

3) Ask yourself, what am I willing to do?

4) Do it!

Remember Sidney?

Headshot to represent Sydney created by AI

Sidney realized that their role in the finance office of an events company lacked the people-focused interactions they enjoyed most. Sydney wondered if stepping into event planning—where they could experience the excitement of events firsthand and see the tangible impact of their work—would be more fulfilling than staying behind the scenes.

Here's one of many ideas for getting more out of the current situation

Activities: I could volunteer to create a holiday party for the company – no one who works in planning actual events wants to do this for free internally, so I will!

Connections: I'll invite one or two people from the team I’d most want to work with to help me and let them know I will do the heavy lifting.

Thinking: I’m not just event planning; I'm contributing to the company's culture, getting future-relevant experience, and gathering important future pivot information about their day-to-day from people in those roles.

Even if what you improve isn’t enough to keep you there for a longer haul, your strategic approach will prepare you to be ready to go when the time is right.

Judy Garfinkel helps you clarify "what's next." Her expertise in building confidence and resilience supports personal development and the ability to navigate career and work transitions, especially now! A PCC and certified Career and Life Coach, Trauma-Informed Coach, and Whole Person Coach, Judy also crafts bespoke resumes, cover letters, LinkedIn profiles, and bios that open doors for her clients and land jobs. Judy is a Past President of the International Coaching Federation - Connecticut Chapter, where she led 250+ member coaches. You can reach her at judy@moveintochange.com.