A well-orchestrated plan starts with doing a skills and career self-assessment to understand what it is that you’re good at and what you truly love to do. Figure out what kinds of companies and what kinds of industries you’d like to work in. Also, figure out exactly the job duties and responsibilities that you’re best suited for, making sure that you zero in on all of these criteria to have a clear definition of what it is you want.

Once you’ve done this, it’s easy for you to develop a list of key network contacts and people who you think might be able to help you. Contact them and set up time over coffee or a meal to share your career search plans and seek their feedback.