Anthony Nardini, the founder of NEXT Careers, knows a thing or two about navigating career transitions. After spending 11 years at Goldman Sachs across various cities and roles, Anthony found himself volunteering with organizations focused on career mentorship in his spare time. This experience inspired him to leave behind his successful finance career and dive headfirst into the world of career development. Since then, he's built job search programs, worked in talent at VC firms, and now helps mid-career and senior-level professionals be more intentional about their next career moves.
In our conversation, Anthony shared his thoughts on what it takes to make a successful career transition, whether you're looking to change industries, pivot to a new role, or just be more proactive in managing your professional journey. He challenged the conventional wisdom around job searching and networking, offering fresh perspectives and practical strategies for standing out in a competitive market. If you've ever felt stuck or uncertain about your career path, this episode is a must-listen.
Intrigued? Check out the full episode here:
Now, let's explore some of the most valuable insights Anthony shared:
When it comes to job searching, it's easy to jump straight into applying and reaching out to your network. But Anthony says that's actually the exact opposite of what you should do. He explains:
"When people start a job search, the natural thing we all do is reach out to our network and start applying. We move into execution mode, thinking, 'I'm going to update my resume and then do these things.' However, I've seen that this is the exact wrong approach for someone early in the process of figuring out what they want."
Instead, take some time to really think about what you want and how you can tell your story in a way that gets you there. Trust, it'll make the whole process way smoother.
We get it, you want to keep your options open. But when it comes to job searching, being too broad can actually slow you down. Anthony suggests:
"The approach that I've seen work for hundreds of people is being more narrowly scoped and testing out different potential pathways. This typically results in a faster overall process."
By getting crystal clear on what you're looking for and focusing your efforts, you can show employers exactly why you're the perfect fit. Plus, you won't waste time on jobs that aren't right for you.
If you're a mid-career or senior-level professional, storytelling is your secret weapon. Anthony emphasizes:
"Storytelling is the most important part of the job search, especially for mid-career or senior-level professionals. As someone progresses in their career, they have more experiences and impact to draw on. Editing that down so it's understandable and relevant to what the person wants next is really hard."
Crafting a compelling story that showcases your most relevant accomplishments and expertise takes practice, but it's so worth it. You'll make a stronger impression and stand out from the crowd.
Networking can feel awkward, especially if you think of it as just asking for favors. But Anthony suggests flipping the script:
"Instead of thinking, 'I'm going into this conversation to ask for something,' approach it by asking, 'How can I figure out a way to help the other person in these 30 minutes?' Even if you're asking for advice, feedback, or a connection, we all have something to give."
By focusing on how you can help others, you'll build genuine relationships and a network of people who are happy to support you.
This one is for the employers! If you want to attract top talent, Anthony says you need to get real about who you are and what you're looking for:
"The companies that are best at attracting people are typically really clear about who they are, what their culture is like, the feedback processes they have, who they're looking for and why, and what they stand for as a group. Being clear about who they are attracts people who are a good fit with that culture."
By being upfront about what makes your company unique and what kind of person thrives there, you'll connect with candidates who share your values and are more likely to flourish in your environment.
