In 2025, the tech industry finds itself at a crossroads. Years of hypergrowth, followed by mass layoffs and AI-driven restructuring, have cooled the market, but stability remains elusive. Talent mobility has slowed, promotions are rare, and many professionals feel stagnant in roles that no longer match their potential. In such a challenging climate, career coaching has transitioned from a luxury to a strategic necessity.

The Reality of Career Stagnation in Tech

The tech sector has experienced significant changes in recent years. As reported by Forbes, over 26,000 tech jobs were cut in early 2025 alone, continuing a multi-year trend of downsizing. Although companies have started hiring again, there is a strong emphasis on quality over quantity. Technical interviews have become more demanding, with the bar rising by 12%, and AI-related positions dominate hiring priorities. Despite the growth in demand for specialized skills, internal mobility has failed to keep pace, leaving many professionals feeling stuck in their current roles.

According to LinkedIn’s 2025 Workplace Learning Report, only 36% of companies actively promote internal mobility and leadership growth, leaving the majority with limited opportunities for career development. As a result, promotions are stagnating, and many employees feel disengaged. In fact, 74% of employers report that it takes more than a year to fill senior roles, with 48% struggling to find qualified talent, even when it’s already within their ranks.

Why Career Coaching Is a Strategic Imperative

Career coaching in this environment offers a valuable advantage. It helps professionals cut through the noise of company reorganizations, shifting priorities, and ambiguous feedback to build a personalized roadmap for growth. Career coaches offer guidance in several key areas:

• Clarifying value propositions and aligning them with evolving business needs.

• Identifying hidden opportunities for influence and advancement.

• Building strategic relationships through stakeholder mapping and intentional visibility.

• Developing resilience and adaptability in the face of uncertainty.

Career coaching is particularly important for new managers, who face higher emotional demands than their teams and often lack the support necessary to succeed. Data suggests that middle managers experience 59% more emotional stress than their teams and are 12% less likely to receive adequate assistance. Without support, they are at higher risk of burnout, disengagement, or even leaving their roles, taking valuable institutional knowledge with them.

Upskilling and Reskilling: The Currency of Career Growth

As technology continues to evolve at a rapid pace, continuous learning is crucial for career advancement. In 2025, 74% of tech workers recognize the need to begin upskilling or reskilling within six months to stay competitive in the job market. Despite this awareness, only 4% are actively pursuing AI-related education, creating a gap between recognition and action.

Fortunately, learning opportunities have never been more accessible. From AI-powered platforms to leadership academies, professionals can now find a wide range of learning opportunities, including:

• Technical learning: AI engineering, cloud computing, cybersecurity, and data science.

• Leadership development: Strategic thinking, stakeholder engagement, and change management.

• Hybrid programs: Platforms such as edX, Coursera, and LinkedIn Learning offer curated learning paths for both technical and soft skills.

Research indicates that companies investing in reskilling programs see an average return of $4.20 for every dollar spent, with 80% of them reporting reduced employee turnover. However, 74% of employees feel they are not reaching their full potential due to a lack of upskilling opportunities. Career coaching plays a critical role in bridging this gap, helping individuals identify the right learning paths and apply them strategically.

Building a Growth Mindset: The Foundation for Career Resilience

At the core of career growth in 2025 is the concept of a growth mindset—the belief that skills can be developed, challenges are opportunities, and feedback is a tool for improvement. A growth mindset is not just a mindset but also a skill set that can be cultivated by:

• Seeking and acting on feedback.

• Setting challenging goals and tracking progress.

• Embracing discomfort as a sign of personal and professional growth.

• Surrounding oneself with mentors and coaches who offer support and challenge.

A growth mindset is the antidote to stagnation. It empowers professionals to navigate ambiguity, reinvent themselves, and lead with purpose, making it an essential tool for success in a rapidly changing job market.

Why Career Coaching Matters in 2025

For professionals feeling stuck, uncertain, or ready for their next career chapter, Navigate Your Career: Strategies for Success in New Roles and Promotions by Shveta Miglani provides valuable insights and tools to navigate the complexities of today’s job market. This book offers practical frameworks for career development, from stakeholder mapping to career storytelling, helping individuals take ownership of their growth and navigate career transitions with confidence.

Shveta Miglani’s career coaching philosophy is centered around intentional and adaptive talent enablement, particularly in today’s age of AI. With over 24 years of experience across industries like SaaS, semiconductor, and emerging technologies, Shveta has helped more than 10,000 professionals in 12 countries develop the leadership and strategic skills necessary to thrive in complex and cross-cultural environments.

As an advocate for talent development, Shveta regularly contributes to CEOWORLD magazine, where she writes on topics such as future-proofing organizations, mentorship, and the strategic imperative of upskilling. Her coaching is deeply rooted in empathy and a commitment to helping others succeed, offering clarity and actionable resources to tackle the challenges of career development.

Shveta’s work emphasizes the importance of building a strategic, personalized plan for career advancement. By partnering with a coach, individuals can gain the clarity and confidence they need to navigate today’s rapidly evolving job market with purpose.

For more information on career coaching and to explore additional resources, visit Shveta Miglani’s professional profiles on Instagram and  LinkedIn.

Career coaching is not just a tool for growth—it’s a valuable investment in long-term career success.