The 4 Career Patterns You Need to Know

Written By Juliana Neiva

If there’s one thing I’ve learned—both in my corporate life and through mentoring professionals—it’s this: careers don’t follow a single path. Some people thrive with structure and long-term planning. Others need freedom to pivot, experiment, or go deep in one area for years. Neither is better. But understanding your career pattern can help you stop comparing yourself to others and start owning what actually works for you.

Here are the four main career patterns I walk my clients through when they’re trying to make sense of their next move.

1. Linear: Climbing the Ladder

This is the classic path—each role leads to a higher one. Titles, promotions, and clear benchmarks matter.

How you know this might be you:

  • You like long-term planning.

  • You’re motivated by recognition, leadership roles, and upward movement.

  • You’ve likely stayed in the same industry, and maybe even the same company, for years.

What to watch out for:
A linear path can lead to burnout if you're advancing just because it's “what’s next,” not because it still aligns with your values. I've seen many professionals get to the top—and realize it’s not where they want to be anymore.

2. Expert: Going Deep

The Expert path is less about climbing and more about mastery. You may stay in one role or function for a long time—but you become the go-to person for it.

How you know this might be you:

  • You care more about being really good at something than moving up.

  • You find satisfaction in deep problem-solving or technical excellence.

  • Titles aren’t the priority—impact and expertise are.

What to watch out for:
Sometimes Experts are overlooked in promotion cycles—not because they aren’t valuable, but because they aren’t chasing visibility. I often coach Experts on how to advocate for their work without having to "sell themselves."

3. Spiral: Growth Through Variety

Spiral professionals grow by trying new things within a broader theme. You’re not all over the place—you’re evolving. Each move builds on the last, just not in a straight line.

How you know this might be you:

  • You’ve changed roles or functions every few years.

  • You need to feel challenged to stay engaged.

  • You’ve followed curiosity more than a fixed plan—and it’s worked for you.

What to watch out for:
Spiral paths can be hard to explain on a résumé or in interviews. But with the right narrative, they become a strength. I help Spiral clients connect the dots and communicate their story with clarity.

4. Transitory: Career as a Series of Chapters

Transitory professionals reinvent themselves—often dramatically. You might switch industries, go back to school, launch a business, or take sabbaticals between jobs. You value freedom and reinvention.

How you know this might be you:

  • You’ve made bold moves others didn’t understand—but they felt right to you.

  • You resist being boxed in.

  • You view work as one part of a meaningful life, not the center of it.

What to watch out for:
This path requires a strong sense of self and a clear support system. It’s not always easy, but it can be incredibly fulfilling if you’re willing to do the inner work.

Final Thoughts

Most of us don’t fit neatly into one box, and we’re probably been multiple types during our careers. But understanding which pattern feels most natural to you can be the difference between constantly second-guessing your choices and actually building a career that feels like yours.

So ask yourself:

  • Are you climbing, deepening, spiraling, or shifting?

  • And does the path you're on now match the kind of life you want in the next chapter?

Juliana Neiva

Juliana Neiva