Author: April Ogden, Founder and CEO, It’s Your Outcome

When was the last time you felt truly excited about your career? If you’re not sure, you’re not alone—but it doesn’t have to stay that way. For many professionals, especially those over 40, it’s easy to get caught in the hustle without hitting pause to ask, “Am I still heading in the right direction?”

Here’s the thing: before you can move forward confidently, you need to know where you stand today. That’s where a career audit comes in. Think of it as a much-needed inventory of your professional life—a way to take stock, celebrate wins, identify gaps, and ensure your path aligns with your long-term goals. And no, this isn’t just for people actively job-hunting. Whether you’re gearing up for a career move or perfectly content in your role, a career audit is about setting yourself up for long-term success. Trust me, future-you will thank you.

 

Why a Career Audit Matters

Today’s competitive job market doesn’t reward complacency. If you’re not regularly reflecting on your progress, you could miss opportunities to grow, pivot, or even rebrand. Conducting a career audit helps you pinpoint what’s working, what’s not, and what changes you need to make to thrive.

Think of a career audit as routine maintenance for your professional life. Just like you wouldn’t skip an oil change for your car (right?), you shouldn’t skip assessing your career. Even if you’re not planning to change roles anytime soon, this exercise helps you stay prepared for opportunities—or challenges—that may come your way.

More importantly, it’s a chance to reconnect with your purpose. Over the years, many professionals accumulate experience without stopping to ask if their current trajectory still excites them. A career audit bridges that gap, allowing you to realign your efforts with what truly matters.

 

Take Stock of Your Accomplishments

Let’s start with the fun part: celebrating your wins. Your accomplishments tell the story of where you’ve been and highlight the strengths that set you apart. But here’s the catch—most professionals don’t spend enough time reflecting on these victories.

 

What to do:

• List your biggest career wins over the past decade. Think promotions, successful projects, or measurable results you’re proud of. (Yes, even that time you saved the day when the conference projector wouldn’t work counts!)
• Reflect on the skills these wins required. Did you master public speaking? Lead a team through change? Innovate a solution that saved time or money?
• Ask yourself: Which of these moments felt most fulfilling? These are your professional highlights, and they reveal patterns about what drives you.

 

Why it’s important: Revisiting your accomplishments isn’t just a confidence boost; it’s essential data. These moments show where you’ve thrived and uncover clues about the direction you should pursue next.

 

Identify What’s Not Working

 

While it’s empowering to focus on your wins, a career audit also requires honesty about the challenges. Are you energized by your work, or are there aspects of your role that consistently frustrate you? Are you leveraging your strengths, or do you feel stuck in the wrong role?

 

What to ask yourself:

• What parts of my job drain me the most? Are they fixable, or do they signal a deeper misalignment?
• Do I feel challenged, or am I stuck in a comfort zone that no longer serves me?
• Are my values aligned with my organization’s culture and mission?

 

Pro Tip: Identifying what’s not working isn’t about being negative—it’s about clarity. When you understand the obstacles, you can create a plan to overcome them, whether it’s pursuing a new role, learning new skills, or setting boundaries.

 

Evaluate Your Network

 

Your career isn’t just about what you know—it’s about who you know. But when was the last time you assessed the strength of your professional relationships?

 

How to evaluate:

• Write down the key people in your network. Include mentors, colleagues, and industry connections.
• Ask yourself: Am I nurturing these relationships? Or have I let them go stagnant?
• Identify gaps. For example, if you’re considering a career pivot, do you have connections in your target industry?

 

Why it matters: A strong, well-maintained network can provide support, open doors, and even lead to unexpected opportunities. Start by reconnecting with one or two people this week—it could make all the difference.

 

Align Your Career With Your Long-Term Goals

Once you’ve reflected on your accomplishments, challenges, and network, it’s time to connect the dots. Does your current path align with where you want to be in five or ten years? If the answer is “not really,” now’s the time to pivot.

 

What to consider:

• What does success look like for me? Is it a leadership role, more flexibility, or a new industry altogether?
• What skills or experiences do I need to get there?
• If nothing changed in the next five years, would I be happy?

 

Think of your career like a GPS. Your destination is clear, but the route isn’t always straightforward. A career audit helps you recalibrate when life throws in detours.

 

Turning Reflection Into Action

The power of a career audit lies in what you do next. Use your insights to create a roadmap for change. This doesn’t mean overhauling everything at once—it’s about small, intentional steps that lead to big results.

 

What to do next:

• Update your résumé and LinkedIn profile to reflect your recent accomplishments.
• Reach out to a mentor or industry leader for advice on your next steps.
• Enroll in a course or workshop to address a skills gap.

 

Why it works: Intentional actions build momentum. By breaking your goals into manageable steps, you’ll start to see progress almost immediately.

 

Let’s Talk

Conducting a career audit is your first step toward clarity, confidence, and intentional growth. Whether you’re ready to pivot, upskill, or simply rediscover your purpose, this process will help you get there.

 

Looking for guidance?

 

Contact us today, and let’s create a personalized roadmap for your future success.

P.S.

If you’re planning for a strong 2025, don’t miss

“How to Thrive in a Competitive 2025 Job Market: 5 Steps for Job Seekers Over 40”. It’s packed with actionable strategies to help you stay ahead and succeed.

Your career is too important to leave to chance.

Let’s work together to ensure your next chapter and is extraordinary!