Find my next career move: a practical plan (UK) for 2026

If you’re searching “find my next career move”, you’re likely at one of two points: you’re ready for more responsibility, or you’re ready for different work. Either way, the fastest route in 2026 is to pick one realistic target role, extract what UK employers repeatedly ask for, then build proof for the top gaps. You can do the role‑matching step inside the Find My Lane app, then use this plan to execute.

1) Decide the move type: promotion, pivot, or lateral upgrade

Your next career move is usually one of three types:

• Promotion: same path, more scope (often fastest if you already have proof).
• Pivot: different role family (requires clearer proof assets).
• Lateral upgrade: similar role but better team/industry/compensation.

A simple decision rule: if you can tell a strong story for the next level in your current path, pursue promotion. If you dislike the core work, pivot—but keep the pivot realistic (adjacent skills) so you can move within 4–10 weeks.

2) Run a gap analysis from real job ads (keywords → proof)

Pick your target role title and collect 10–15 UK job adverts. Extract recurring requirements: tools, responsibilities, domain knowledge, seniority signals, and “nice-to-haves”. Then sort each item into:

• Prove now: you can show evidence today (projects, outcomes, metrics).
• Build quickly: you can create proof in 2–4 weeks (small project, certification, case study).
• Defer: not needed for the first move (avoid perfectionism).

AI helps here when it produces structure. Use it to extract the recurring list and to draft truthful bullets from your evidence. For the automation playbook, see AI job search tools. If you’re Premium, the CV Profile helps highlight missing skills/keywords so you can target the right proof assets.

3) Build a 30–60–90 plan that leads to interviews

Turn your checklist into a plan you can actually follow:

• Days 1–30: pick one target role, refine your CV headline, build one proof asset, and tailor 10 high‑fit applications.
• Days 31–60: build a second proof asset, create 6 STAR stories, and increase application volume without lowering quality.
• Days 61–90: iterate based on feedback, negotiate scope/salary, and prioritise roles that match your constraints.

If you want a guided version of this with weekly missions and progress tracking, use the Career Transition Plan.

Summary: The fastest way to “find my next career move” is to pick one realistic target role, run a job‑ad gap analysis, and build proof assets on a 30–60–90 cadence. In 2026, proof beats potential.