#7 Write your “Next Role Brief” (AKA clarity you can use)

Most searches stall because the goal is fuzzy.

Not the big “career vision” part - but in the next role part.

If you can’t name what you’re aiming at, it’s hard to make decisions, ask for help, or feel confident.

Here’s a cheeky one-pager that fixes that.

The Next Role Brief (5 parts, one page)

1) Problems I want to solve (WHAT)​Three problem spaces that energize you. Things you love to get to the bottom of.

e.g., pricing/packaging story not unified across web/sales/product, awareness is high, but consideration low (leaky mid-funnel), or navigation/information architecture hides key actions.

2) How I work best (HOW)​Two lines on your operating style.

e.g., small experiments → learn fast → scale what works

3) Altitude + context (WHERE)​Hands-on vs lead, stage/size, team shape, constraints.

e.g., hands-on IC/lead at Series B–C; small cross-functional group; close to customer

4) Must-haves / nice-to-haves / deal-breakers​Be honest so you stop second-guessing.

Must: real ownership of messaging; Nice: product-led growth; Deal-breakers: top-of-funnel vanity metrics

5) Targets​

5–10 companies + 2–3 role titles (and synonyms) you’ll pursue.

e.g., Growth PM / Product Growth / Lifecycle PM / Activation PM

Try this (10 minutes)

1. Dump evidence (3 min): List 5 recent wins you're proud of, highlight the pattern.

2. Draft (5 min): Write the five sections of your Next Role Brief (one line each - no paragraphs).

3. Distill (2 min): Turn it into your 2-sentence DSP (Direction → Proof → Spotting cue).

   
   

Say it in 2 sentences (D → P → S) ​​

Direction: what you want to solve + altitude/stage.​

Proof: how you work + a recent outcome.​

Spotting cue: when to loop you in.

Some examples:

Mentor / Advocate

I’m focused on [problems] at [stage/altitude]. I work by [how]. Recent: [outcome].

If you hear [triggers/titles], I’d love to be looped in.

Manager (internal)

I want to own [problem] this quarter at [altitude]. First move: [small, visible win tied to team metric].

If that aligns with your priorities, can we sync on stakeholders and risks?

Hiring Manager (external)

I’m focused on [their problem] at [stage/altitude]. I get traction by [how]. Recent: [outcome].

If helpful, I can outline how I’d tackle the first 90 days.

​

Clarity quiets anxiety.

And it makes it easier for other people to help you.

Chat soon,

Mel

P.S. Next cohort starts Sept 11 — get clear and get moving.​Four week sprint to sharpen your brief, refine your story, and run a practical search plan with scripts, assets, and accountability to get you where you want to go, faster.

All with the no-fluff approach you love so well. ​→ Learn more here