From an underutilized consulting job to a chief of staff role at MetLife
Senior Consultant at Booz Allen Hamilton
Chief of Staff at MetLife
100%
15%
Overview
Stephanie came into the search after leaving a role that quickly became misaligned. What looked like a strong next step on paper shifted within weeks—and no longer reflected her strengths or interests.
Instead of rushing into another opportunity, she approached her next move with more intention. Within three months, she landed a chief of staff position at MetLife that aligned with both the work she wanted to do and the environment she wanted to be in.
The Challenge
Shortly after joining her previous job, the scope changed and no longer leveraged her experience. She found herself underutilized and disconnected from the work, while also navigating a culture that didn’t feel collaborative.
After leaving, the pressure to find something new was real—but so was the desire to avoid repeating the same mistake. Without a clear framework, it was difficult to evaluate opportunities beyond title or company.
The Shift
Stephanie stepped back to reflect on her career and define what she actually wanted next. She focused on roles where she could lead strategic initiatives, work across teams and have broader influence.
She also became more consistent with networking, reaching out to former colleagues and building weekly outreach into her routine. That shift created momentum and opened up more relevant opportunities.
Alongside that, she invested time in interview preparation—strengthening how she communicated her experience and showing up more confidently in conversations.
The Outcome
Through her network, Stephanie was referred into a chief of staff opportunity at MetLife. She had advocates inside the company who helped her navigate the process and provided insight along the way.
She moved through interviews with clarity and confidence, secured the offer and negotiated a 15% increase in compensation.
More importantly, she stepped into a job where she could operate at a higher level—leading strategic work, collaborating across the organization and contributing in a way that felt aligned with her strengths.
“I was surprised how quickly things came together once the right opportunity showed up, and how confident I felt going through the process, even after losing my job.” — Stephanie T.
How This Result Was Achieved
This result came from taking the time to define what the right job actually looked like, then building a focused approach around networking, preparation and evaluating fit—rather than jumping at the first available opportunity.
Clarify the Criteria of the
Next-Level Target
Define what a true step-change looks like—scope, role, and trajectory—not just the next logical move.
Reposition the Leadership Narrative
Translate past experience into a compelling executive story that aligns with higher-level opportunities.
Access Off-Market Opportunities
Target and create conversations with roles that aren’t visible through traditional job search channels.
Convert the
Right Opportunity
Navigate the process strategically to land a role that is not just bigger—but more aligned and energizing.
Ready for your next-level role?
You’ve already built a strong career—but if you’re aiming for a meaningful step up in scope, impact, and compensation, it requires a more strategic approach than a traditional job search. The right opportunities aren’t always visible—but with the right positioning and strategy, they’re absolutely accessible.