Ashley Owens presents "How Not to Suck at Networking" (Nov 21 at 8:30am)

My boss pulled me into a conference room yesterday to say that she has a transfer opportunity available to another office in the region (not far from home, about the same driving distance). I've been with the company for five years and have received great reviews and raises and a nice bonus. I thought she was going to suggest another position that recently opened up that sounds really exciting, but instead, she said a role was vacated at this other office, and she thinks I'd be a "great fit." Well, the role really isn't anything I'd be interested in at my level. I see it more as a "foot in the door" job for someone with half my experience who needs to start somewhere. If anything, I see it as a dead end job. I'd take all of the great experience I've gained and toss out out the window if I took this job. I'm an SME in my area, and it would be bizarre for me to give up the job for something like this. I said I'd think about it, but within five minutes of hanging up the phone, I had a sick feeling. I did ask her about the other role I'd want, and she gave me a wishy-washy answer about the role being incorporated into another position (maybe). No one has ever complained about my work (not that I know of). I've been very happy there overall, but just a little antsy to take on something more challenging after five years. FWIW, she has moved people into really nice roles, but in my case, the move would look embarrassing, as if I were being punished and banished to a weird job that derails one's career (and I've seen them do that to other people on purpose). So, I'm going to tell her next week thank you, but I'm not interested. What if she tries to push it or demands a good reason why I'm turning it down other than I'd rather wait for something else? Would you say aloud that it doesn't look like such a great career move for someone with my experience, and I know there are better opportunities? I'd rather quit and go elsewhere than take this job. I ran this by a friend and he said it sounds like the first job they'd cut if they have layoffs.

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I would like to prepare what I will say as im approaching last interview and may land the job. The issue is I would rather start right away because i need income urgently to pay bills a- tell them its best for me to start after my procedure - 3 weeks from now ( which will but me in a predicament as i need immediate income) and they might be annoyed they have to wait 3 weeks or b-tell them i can start 1 or 2 weeks before my procedure and but that in 3 weeks I may need an entire week off . advice ?

You’re not alone. The industry shifts fast, and keeping up can feel like a full-time job on top of your actual one. But staying relevant doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Here’s a simple, doable rhythm to follow (even with a full calendar): ✅ Quarterly: Scan open job listings—not just titles, but the skills and tools required. Use AI to spot patterns. ✅ Monthly: Talk to someone in a role you admire. Ask what they’re learning, noticing, and questioning. ✅ Ongoing: Skim global reports (like the WEF’s Future of Jobs) and follow a few sharp thinkers right here on LinkedIn. ✅ Repeat: Make this a habit, not a one-off. You’ll start to see the signals. Then, check in on your fit using the IKIGAI model: ? What you love ? What you’re good at ? What the world needs ? What you can be paid for From there? Close the gap with real upskilling. The best programs offer: ✔️ Hands-on practice ✔️ Critical thinking challenges ✔️ Confidence in what you can do (not just what you know) That’s why I often point folks to flexible, job-aligned platforms like Udacity—especially when time is tight and skill depth matters. You don’t need perfect predictions. Just a smart way to listen for what’s next. ? What’s one signal you’re seeing in your space right now? #CareerDevelopment #TechCareers #Leadership #Udacity

I’m Mitali, a former Cognizant employee and a recent graduate from the University of Texas at Dallas. I have experience in Salesforce, business analytics, and cloud technologies. I’m currently seeking new opportunities in business analysis, CRM, or related roles. I’d be so grateful for any leads, advice, or referrals to help me get my foot in the door. If anyone has recommendations or knows of companies hiring, please feel free to connect or message me. Thank you in advance for your support!

Quantity doesn’t beat quality. Sending out 100 generic resumes won’t open as many doors as 10 targeted, tailored applications. Focus on roles that match your skills, customize your resume, and write a thoughtful cover letter. It’s not a numbers game; it’s a strategy game.