The Art of the Career Pivot: A Coach's Perspective

Successfully pivoting your career is less about a giant leap and more about a series of well-planned steps. As a career transition coach, I’ve guided hundreds of professionals through this journey, and a common thread emerges: strategic preparation is paramount. It’s not just about wanting a change; it’s about architecting that change.

One of the first things I work on with clients is a ‘skills translation’ exercise. Many individuals underestimate how their existing competencies can be reframed for a new industry. For example, a former marketing manager I coached wanted to move into UX design. We identified that her experience in understanding customer needs, managing projects, and communicating with stakeholders was directly applicable. She wasn’t starting from scratch; she was repurposing her expertise.

Networking also takes on a different dimension during a pivot. It’s not about asking for a job; it’s about informational interviews to understand the new field, its challenges, and its opportunities. A client transitioning from finance to sustainable energy conducted over 20 such interviews. These conversations not only provided invaluable insights but also led to three job offers because she had built genuine connections and demonstrated her commitment to the new sector.

Finally, embracing a ’learner’s mindset’ is crucial. This might involve taking courses, volunteering for relevant projects, or even accepting a role that seems like a step back to gain necessary experience. One client, a senior engineer, took a junior role in a new tech stack for a year. This perceived step back was actually a strategic move that catapulted him into a leadership position in his desired field within two years. The pivot is a marathon, not a sprint, and each step, no matter how small, contributes to reaching the new destination.