When Anum Khan packed her bags and moved from Northern Virginia to New York City for a new job opportunity over a decade ago, she was excited to take on the Big Apple. Little did she know the challenges that awaited her and how they would shape her approach to career development in the years to come. 

In her first corporate job in New York, Anum quickly rose to the top as an account executive. However, despite her strong performance, she soon faced significant setbacks. The company unexpectedly slashed her salary by $10,000 and denied her commissions she had rightfully earned from securing high-profile clients like Morgan Stanley. “I was completely shocked. I had moved my entire life to New York based on the original salary offer,” Anum recalls. “But I knew I wasn’t going to let anyone treat me that way.” 

She boldly quit the job, not yet realizing that even bigger struggles were ahead. Anum suddenly found herself alone in the big city with no job, no connections, and unrelenting expenses piling up. “I didn’t tell my family back home that I had quit. Nobody knew,” says Anum. “I made it a point that I was going to figure it out on my own.” 

And figure it out, she did. Anum hustled, working side jobs and selling door-to-door just to pay rent. But amidst the chaos, she deliberately crafted a strategic plan to get back on track. “I turned to LinkedIn and realized the power of networking authentically. I built relationships, shared my story, and showcased my skills,” she explains. “I created a thoughtful process for how to best present myself.” 

Her unconventional approach worked. In a short time, Anum had multiple offers in hand for coveted roles at prestigious firms. But this was only the beginning of Anum’s journey, harnessing the power of connections. Over the next decade, she continued to refine her networking methods as she climbed the corporate ladder in New York’s competitive staffing and recruiting industry. 

Anum worked for industry leaders like Business Insider, building teams from scratch and developing an insider’s view into hiring processes. Throughout her career, she quietly helped friends and contacts strategically manage their job searches. “I started informally Coaching people on career progression early on because it was my passion. I loved sharing my recruiting knowledge to empower others,” says Anum. 

Eventually, it clicked that her calling was bigger than any corporate job title. Anum took another leap, leaving a comfortable leadership role to launch her career coaching firm, Elevate Your Career Coaching LLC. Blending her recruiting insights with emerging AI tools, she created a 12-week program to help professionals master strategic networking, personal branding, interview preparedness, and salary negotiation. The comprehensive curriculum reflected lessons from Anum’s career battles. 

“I introduce smart AI systems so participants can streamline tedious tasks like optimizing resumes and LinkedIn profiles. This maximizes their productivity on high-value activities,” explains Anum. 

The individualized coaching process first assesses participants’ skills, goals, and industry fit before guiding them to target roles at suitable companies. Anum explains that unmatched preparation is key because “your first impression in a job search is on paper, not in person.” The results have been astounding. Anum’s clients consistently secure salary offers 20-35% higher by following her AI-enhanced method. 

One client, Issra Arif, credited Anum’s coaching for a promotion that increased her salary by 40%. “I gained so much confidence through the interview preparation. When I spoke about my skills, I truly owned them,” she says. 

Another client landed his dream job as a Creative Director at a top NYC media agency after years of feeling stalled. “I totally revamped my personal brand. Now my digital presence tells a compelling story showcasing exactly why I’m valuable,” he explains, noting he also negotiated a 30% higher salary thanks to Anum’s coaching. 

Coaching Others to Success 

Now, with an ever-growing client roster, Anum is selective about who she brings into her coaching program. Ideal participants have 3-7 years of experience in corporate roles but feel stuck, undervalued, or ill-equipped to reach their career aspirations on their own. 

While she coaches participants one-on-one, Anum aims to launch group coaching cohorts later this year for increased collective support. “My coaching is intensive. I need clients equally committed to doing the work and following through on assignments between our sessions,” says Anum. “My ultimate vision is scaling through group coaching while keeping sessions highly interactive.” 

Anum also plans to organize virtual events for networking and panel discussions with industry veterans from leading media, finance, and technology companies. Her ambition is to build an engaged community where participants can forge meaningful connections beyond just coaching. 

Additionally, with the vast amounts of data generated from assessments and engagement analytics, Anum envisions leveraging AI to match candidates to jobs prescreened as strong fits–almost like customized talent acquisition. “While I adore coaching, I know I can expand my reach exponentially by letting smart systems take over administrative tasks and screening. This will empower me to focus on high-level strategic advising and community building,” says Anum. 

Through future cohorts, events and AI integration, Anum aims to establish the premier career acceleration network for urban professionals seeking fulfilling roles that align with their skills and values. 

Weathering the Storm to Find Your Purpose 

For young professionals feeling disenchanted with the corporate grind, Anum says the vital first step is self-reflection outside the drama of a current job. “Remove yourself from the emotions of the moment and objectively assess what you want that you’re not getting currently. Also, acknowledge what’s missing from your skill set to achieve those goals,” she advises. 

Anum also stressed the importance of mental discipline in trying times. “How you react is everything. When faced with challenges, consciously decide who you want to be on the other side rather than making desperate decisions,” she says. 

Looking back on her tumultuous early days in New York, Anum says she wouldn’t change a thing. While she could have saved herself from headaches with proper planning, the difficult journey led her to where she is today. “Every experience shaped who I am. I wouldn’t have my coaching business if I hadn’t gone through those struggles myself and learned those lessons,” she reflects. 

For young professionals grappling with doubt, anxiety, or burnout—you are not alone. Anum herself has navigated these challenges. Overcoming these struggles, and learning key lessons throughout, paved her path to a purposeful career in empowering others. “At the time, failures sting and knock your confidence. But later, you can objectively connect the dots to see how it brought you where you belong,” says Anum. 

Anum’s inspiring story teaches us that we all face obstacles, but how we respond when plans unravel can powerfully shape our futures. By staying true to her passion, Anum transformed trying life experiences into life-changing lessons and emerged thriving. She turned the empathy gained through her struggles into a vehicle for lifting others on their journeys. 

If the corporate world has you feeling disillusioned or defeated—take heart. Anum is living proof that embracing your purpose, rather than a paycheck, can transform the path ahead. With grit, resilience, and vision, she converted her methods for personal career success into a means for empowering professionals globally. 

Now, through Elevate Your Career Coaching LLC, she’s on a mission to pass on those lessons through coaching, community, and technology so you can avoid unnecessary detours on the road toward a fulfilling career aligned with your brightest ambitions. 

Connect with Anum: https://www.linkedin.com/in/khananum

The post Anum Khan: The Career Mastermind Strategizing Your Success appeared first on WomLEAD Magazine.