Build Your Career & Job Search Plan

Works best if you’ve already taken the quizzes — the questions below are quick stand-ins for the Ikigai Test, Mindset Quiz, Personal Values Quiz, Work Culture Quiz and Employability Quiz, so answering with those real results in mind gives you a sharper plan. Haven’t taken them yet? Take them first, then come back. Answer a dozen quick questions and get two plans back: what’s standing between you and your next role, and a 90-day plan to go after it. Nothing is saved or sent anywhere — it all stays in this browser tab.

Prefer to read first? See the written guide.

Where you are, and where you’re headed

Be specific — vague targets make vague plans.

Your current role (and how long you’ve done it) Your next-step role — the realistic next rung, not the dream job

What that next role actually needs

One per line. If you can find a real job ad for this role, pull the requirements from there rather than guessing.

Skills or qualifications that role requires Which of those do you already have? (list just the ones you have)

Three quick gut-checks

When you think about the skills you’re missing, do you believe you can genuinely build them with effort, or does it feel like “that’s just not me”?

I can build them — it’s a matter of effort and practice.

At least one feels like it’s just not who I am.

Is your next-step role the kind of work AI tends to make more valuable (judgment, strategy, relationships) — or the kind it tends to automate (repetitive, rules-based)?

More valuable — AI seems to be lifting roles like this.

More at risk — AI seems to be automating roles like this.

Not sure.

Does this next-step role actually fit how you like to work — the autonomy, structure, and pace?

Yes, clearly.

Mostly, with some friction.

Not really.

Haven’t thought about it.

Your search logistics

Timeline — how soon are you aiming to move?

Next 3 months

Next 6 months

Next 12 months

Hours a week you can realistically give this

Under 5 hours

5–10 hours

10+ hours

Target industries or companies Any constraints? (location, visa, caring responsibilities, study — optional)

Your Six Ducks check-in

Tick off what’s already in solid shape. Anything left unticked becomes a first-30-days action.

Resume is ATS-ready and current (Duck 1) Comfortable navigating workplace/bridge-job culture (Duck 2) Have a verifiable AI micro-credential (Duck 3) LinkedIn and personal brand are in good shape (Duck 4) Have a field-specific ePortfolio (Duck 5) Have a positivity & community routine going (Secret Duck) How confident are you using AI tools in your actual job search (tailoring resumes, prepping for interviews)?

Confident — I already do this well.

Somewhat — I use AI tools but not systematically.

Not really — I haven’t used AI much in my search.

Your plans

This tool gives you the shape of a plan. For the full system behind it — worked examples, templates, and a day-by-day 14-day reset — see the AI-Powered Jobsearch book series and The Ikigai Lift.