Overview:
This book argues that the traditional “career ladder” (linear progression, predictable steps, jobs for life) is largely outdated. Instead, Helen Tupper and Sarah Ellis propose the idea of a “squiggly careers” where moving frequently and fluidly between roles, industries, locations, and even careers is the new normal.
The book is a practical guide to help you make the most of our increasingly squiggly careers helping by asking and answering important questions about What am I good at? What do I stand for? What motivates and drives me? Where do I want to go in the future?
Who is it for?
- Anyone who feels uneasy about following a rigid, straight career path and wants something more flexible, meaningful or suited to who they are.
- People considering career change or transitions — whether moving role, sector, or considering a pivot.
- Professionals at various stages (early, mid, even later) who want to bring more agency, purpose and alignment into their careers.
- Managers/leaders who want to understand how to support people whose careers are less “ladder-like” and more dynamic.
What You’ll Learn / Key Takeaways
The authors structure the book around five core career skills to develop in order to thrive in a squiggly career. Some of the major lessons include:
- Super‐Strengths — Identifying what you are really good at, what energizes you; what comes naturally or you’ve developed that gives you a competitive or personal edge.
- Values — What matters most to you (the kind of work, the environment, impact, autonomy, etc.), so you can make decisions about roles / direction based not just on title or compensation but on alignment.
- Confidence — Recognising the “confidence gremlins” (fears, self-doubt), how to manage them, build resilience, and take action even when imperfect.
- Networks — Cultivating relationships not just for what you can gain, but what you can give; diverse networks across sectors, disciplines; making genuine connections as opposed to transactional ones.
- Future Possibilities — Being open to exploring possibilities (including side-steps, new directions), experimenting, trying things out; being curious about what else might be possible rather than rigid-ly fixated on a fixed plan.
Also includes practical exercises for reflection, worksheets for mapping strengths, values; inspiring stories / case studies.
Why We Love It
It gives permission to those who feel “off track” or anxious because their careers have not followed a straight line to feel in control and learn to navigate their career in a way that feels right to them by offering practical advice delivered in a friendly encouraging way.
