Next Move, Best Move: Transitioning Into a Career You'll Love

by Kimberly B. Cummings, Lindsey Pollak (Foreword), Kimberly Brown

An expert guide for professionals seeking to understand how to navigate the world of work. Kimberly Brown, author of Next Move, Best Transitioning into a Career You'll Love , leaves no stone unturned with this thorough, expert guide for professionals seeking to understand how to navigate the world of work, from beginning to end, starting with uncovering personal and professional values in an effort to align their expertise and skills to roles and companies that will finally change the trajectory of their career and set them up to be leaders in the workforce. As a former career development adviser in some of the nation's top universities and a diversity + inclusion professional in a Fortune 100 company, Brown has recognized that people work for the sake of working without understanding how to leverage their unique gifts and position themselves for success. As a result, Next Move, Best Transitioning into a Career You'll Love shares transformational lessons to ensure success and puts the ball back in your court. In Brown's highly acclaimed book, a specific, effective framework is unveiled to ensure each reader channels and utilizes their highest potential as they regain control and steer professional opportunities in their favor, gaining key information as

Genres: Professional Development, Self Help, Business, Audiobook, Nonfiction

224 pages, Paperback

Published June 9, 2021

About the author

This author is also published under Kimberly Brown.

Reviews

[Paolo Balinas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Next Move, Best Move by Kimberly Cummings Summary

Hey Guys! this is book # 27 of my 52-week book challenge wherein I aim to read 1 book a week or 52 books in a year! Here's a summary of my top 5 key takeaways from the book, "Next Move, Best Move" by Kimberly Cummings Summary

https://youtu.be/QPLlnih-ISM

00:18 - Move with intentionality - Create a career rather than a string of experiences - learn why you need to be intentional in your career choices to avoid simply building a string of irrelevant job experiences.

01:18 - Working Backwards - ask yourself where you see yourself in 5 years, then work backward - learn the strategy to build your ideal career path with this easy to use template

03:30 - Self-assessment to highlight transferable skills - learn how to clearly articulate your transferable skills which you can use during interviews

05:02 - Identify gaps - get ready before you need to be ready - learn the 3 questions you can ask yourself to gain clarify on your current gaps and how to address them.

06:38 - Identify gaps - Your personal brand - learn the 5 questions you can ask your colleagues to better understand how they perceive your personal brand

Thanks and to view more of my previous summaries, like and subscribe my Youtube Channel, Paolo Balinas

Now off to the next book! :)

P.S. Comment below on what was your key takeaway

#BookSummary #BookReview #NextMoveBestMove #KimberlyCummings #Careers #HR

[Jennie · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you just got a new job or are looking to move up in your company or in general read this book immediately.

I have probably done 50 interviews in the last year. I knew that I was missing something but couldn't see it. Kimberly filled me in.

I'm not going to give it all away and cant, as everyones take away will be different.

Best book I've read about career development in years. She has a very impressive track record. She changed the way I've been applying and approaching opportunities. I cant wait to put it in practice!

Highly recommended

[Sarah Cupitt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Building a fulfilling career starts with understanding where you’ve been, what you value, and where you want to go next.

notes:
- too often, professionals find themselves drifting – floating from one job to another without a clear sense of purpose or direction. Instead of strategically shaping their careers, they simply react to opportunities as they arise
- Many people leap straight to new goals and bigger responsibilities without taking stock of what they’ve already learned about themselves, their work style, and the environments in which they thrive.
- a strong brand isn’t just about external perception; it’s also about ensuring your skills and experiences match the roles you’re aiming for
- whether you’re conscious of it or not, you already have an “experience” associated with you. The more intentional you are in shaping your professional identity, the more likely you are to attract the right connections and opportunities.

meh notes: (knew already but still good to note)
- A simple but illuminating exercise is to create a detailed record of every position you’ve held, from your first internship to your current job. Next to each role, jot down the skills you developed and highlight which ones you love using and which you’d happily leave behind
- Asking questions like, “Which skills should I strengthen?” or “Which relationships might accelerate my development?” ensures you’re making the most of the expertise around you
- Identifying the values that matter to you in the workplace lays a strong foundation for your next career moves. Crafting and refining your unique professional compass will help you avoid drifting into roles that may seem shiny on the surface but lack the elements that will keep you satisfied.

[Melissa Anson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the mixture of personal stories and practical takeaways. This book offered exactly what I've been looking for in my career.

[Mia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was packed with some really great advice! All the steps were practical and actionable. I also love that this was written by a Black woman! For anyone thinking about transitioning to a different position, company, or industry, this book is for you!

[Tenee Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

I truly enjoyed reading this book. It helped to put a lot of things into perspective and get me to consider what my next steps will be.

[Jung]

"Next Move, Best Move" by Kimberly Brown Cummings is a clear, empowering guide that helps professionals stop drifting and instead intentionally craft a career that reflects their values, strengths, and ambitions. The book’s four strategic 'moves' — Review, Plan, Brand, and Execute — form a practical framework for anyone looking to transition or level up in their career.

1. REVIEW — Reflect Before You Leap
• Don’t skip the step of self-assessment. Understanding your unique strengths, preferred environments, and transferable skills helps guide smart decisions.
• Create a career inventory: list past roles, highlight tasks you enjoyed, and identify skills you want to continue using or drop.
• Leadership is a privilege, not just a title. Whether you lead people or projects, do so with empathy, awareness, and values-based intention.

2. PLAN — Align With Your Values
• Identify your career values by reflecting on what energized or drained you in past roles.
• Set a long-term vision, then break it into 3-6 month milestones to track progress and stay adaptable.
• Growth comes from intentional learning — not just professional (skills), but also personal (communication, emotional intelligence).

3. BRAND — Manage How You’re Perceived
• Your professional brand is what others say about you when you're not in the room — and it’s shaped by how you show up consistently.
• Seek feedback. Learn how you’re perceived and compare it with your ideal professional identity.
• Look at people in roles you want — what qualities or experiences set them apart? Let this shape your growth plan.

4. EXECUTE — Take Bold, Smart Action
• Execution is where intention meets momentum. Take aligned, values-driven action — not just any opportunity that shows up.
• Practice self-advocacy — in meetings, performance reviews, and negotiations. It’s not arrogance; it’s owning your worth.
• Be open to unexpected opportunities, but be ready for them by doing the inner and outer work beforehand.

The final message in this book is You are the CEO of your career. The combination of clarity, planning, branding, and courageous execution means you’re not leaving your future to chance — you’re building it with purpose.

[Kevin Parkinson · Rating 2 out of 5]

She didn't get a promotion she felt entitled to and decided to write a whole book about it ("bUt I wAs TaKiNg MaStErS cLaSsEs AnD hAd To Do An InTeRnShIp"

This isn't so much a comprehensive approach to job hunting as much as it is a personal memoir with the author's own learned lessons incorporated. As a result, there's quite a bit of Monday morning quarterbacking in this book. I believe the author shares these thoughts with the best of intentions, but I'm just not sure how true any of it is. She seems to say "I wasn't strategic enough - avoid my mistakes by using more intentionality, such as developing your core values." However, this is the hindsight bias. In reality, I don't think it's possible to map everything out in advance, and instead we learn as we go.

Plus, there are small things throughout that bother me. For instance, a few times she bashes being a generalist, but she confuses a true generalist with someone who has no transferable skill set. When done right, being a generalist isn't just someone who says "I work hard" with nothing to show of it. A true generalist IS a skill set.

And on top of all of that, I'm not sure how this book can help anyone who is even a year or two removed from college.

Just a bunch of platitudes. Nothing novel here - have a personal brand, advocate for yourself, be sure to network, yada yada yada.

And most laughably, she opens her book with the audacity to suggest "hey don't listen to anyone else just do what I say" bahahahah

[JC · Rating 4 out of 5]

[3.5/5]

A guide full of actionable steps for people in career transition or who are not totally clear on their vision. Kimberly B. Cummings provides personal stories, alongside questions to prompt you to reframe your approach to career planning. I was most fond of finding skills within all jobs, even those that feel less relevant to your current role. I get the sense many job searchers struggle with this. She also highlights the importance of having mentors/sponsors/etc. In all the self-improvement books I've read, I always wish there were some concrete ideas of where to look for these people. But, this would be a great resource for someone a few years into work, and not finding a path forward yet.

I will say, it is probably helpful to come into this book knowing a bit about the career path you're interested in. It is not giving a ton of advice on how to find a career path where your passion meets your skills. For me, a person in an industry I didn't intend to be in, I find these book difficult because I'm not really sure what my end vision is. For that, I would suggest a book like How to Find Fulfilling Work, which gives more insight into that side of career development.

[Zibby Owens · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a guide for working professionals who want to understand and navigate the working world. It also gives a specific framework to make strategic career moves and create a two-year career strategy to get you to a leadership level.

The chapter "Serving as a People Leader is a Privilege, Not a Right of Passage" talks about how you must be a good people leader if you want to grow your career. It forces you to think about the human aspect and understand what motivates someone to work better. It provides some simple things to help you figure out how your people work best. Ask questions: what's a bad experience you've had with a manager? What time of day do you want feedback? How would you like me to tell you? If you do something right, how would you like me to reward you?

The author's success story was inspirational and a model for finding your career. This book also includes questions about how we take stock of our careers.

To listen to my interview with the author, go to my podcast at:
https://www.momsdonthavetimetoreadboo...

[Kris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Next Move, Best Move was exactly the kind of career guide I didn’t know I needed. Kimberly Brown doesn’t just offer advice, she offers clarity, encouragement, and a roadmap for growth. The worksheets were especially powerful: they helped me reflect, plan, and take real steps toward my next chapter.

What resonated most was the reminder that I’m not alone. So many women have faced similar crossroads, doubts, and dreams. This book helped me look forward with purpose, not fear. It encouraged me to keep learning, keep growing, and most importantly, to not give up on the vision I have for myself.

Kimberly’s voice is both strategic and compassionate, and her guidance helped me look ahead with clarity and courage.

If you’re feeling stuck, uncertain, or ready to level up, this book is a compassionate and strategic companion. It made me think deeply, act intentionally, and believe again in what’s possible.

[Ken E. · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are searching for a good book that provides sound steps on how to advance in your personal and professional career, Kimberly Cummings' book "Next Move, Best Move" is a required read. She gives you all the details on how to position yourself as an expert and leader in your field or industry to transition into the career you'll love.

Highly suggest it if you are looking to grow or reposition your authority in your career.

[Ione Evans · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the first true "self help" books I've read in a very long time. The author doesn't just regurgitate time old advice instead she challenges you to think and to place yourself in a position to elevate. I listened to this book for free on Hoopla but I'm definitely buying a hardcopy because I wanted to annotate so many sections! This book is a must read if you're in a career transition.

[Pippi · Rating 2 out of 5]

Some good advice but may be more suitable for entry level employees

[Tammy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really loved this book.

[Gabrielle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book and gained some perspective from it, but it felt most appropriate for a new professional or someone embarking on a career change.

[Meghan LeRoux · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good and insightful information, but very repetitive in the storytelling. Do not recommend the audio book. The narrator sounded robotic and turned me off from the book.

[Roksana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great practical advice and lessons along with work along notes and exercises to guide you on your best next move. You know a career book is good if you bookmark every other page.