How to Make a Career Pivot

The decision behind making a career pivot varies for each person, but what is the best way to take the leap? In this post, we delve into how to make a career pivot, what to consider before you do, and more.?

By Brandi Fowler

A career pivot is a transition from one career to another; the shift can be in another sector of your field or a new industry.

“I think people make career pivots because they are looking for a new level of career happiness or satisfaction in their career, whether that is wanting to learn something new, wanting to make more money, or keep up with what's going on in the industry,” said CEO and Author of Career Rehab Kanika Tolver .?

Career pivots can also be the result of lifestyle changes.

“I decided to make a career pivot when I realized that my priorities had shifted,” said the founder of The Pivoter Ann Lopez . “As a military spouse, I needed a portable career that fit into our unique lifestyle and teaching was no longer a viable option for me.”

Early Careers Technical Recruiter Sophia Valdez said she pivoted from working in the nonprofit and education industry to tech for better benefits and a higher salary.

“I think a lot of people are pivoting right now because they are understanding that there are positions in tech or different industries where they can still use their skills and get paid what they are worth,” Valdez said.

I talked to Lopez, Tolver, and Valdez about the best ways to make a career pivot, when to make one, and more.?

What to Do Before Making a Career Pivot

Start with a self-evaluation before you leap into a new field, no matter the reason.?

“Sometimes we need to go through a self-diagnosis or an evaluation,” Tolver said. “Evaluate what is going well and what is not going well within our career. Then, sit down and think about ‘What are my talents? What are my passions? What are my gifts?’ And align that with the right career path for the pivot.

“You don't want to continue to find yourself in a vicious cycle where you are constantly having to re-evaluate if you should do a career pivot.”

Lopez recommended pinpointing what you want to do.?

“Research different roles that your skills will fit,” Lopez said. “Be super-specific in what you want and make sure your skills and passion align. It is just like being intentional in what roles you are looking for.”

Tolver also suggested analyzing your knowledge gaps, the training you need to fill them, and the time it will take. Also, she said, “Give yourself some grace.”

“It could take six months, nine months, 12 months to effectively career pivot,” Tolver said. “I think we live in a time in social media that we think we can do career pivots in, in three months or in two months or in 60 days, and I think it's unrealistic for us to put that type of constraint or stress on learning something new and building a new network.”?

Next, start building your contacts for the career path you want to pursue.

“Building a new network for your career pivot is strategically important for someone going into a new industry,” Tolver said.? “A lot of times we don't know people in that industry, we are starting from scratch and we need to build a support system.”

Tolver suggested creating a “success squad” which includes someone who is new to the industry, someone who successfully pivoted to the industry, a mid-level person who has worked in the industry for at least five years, and a senior-level executive who has at least seven years of experience in the industry.?

Also, don’t be afraid to ask for help.?

“Use LinkedIn and network once you find the role that you want, and look for people who are in that role on LinkedIn. Ask them for a one-on-one chat or ask them questions. People are willing to answer messages,” Valdez said.?

Where to Start If You Don’t Know Where to Pivot

Amp up your research when you want to change careers but don’t know which field to pivot to. Think about your interests and which career paths may satisfy them, and reach out to people who work in those fields.?

“Interview people in different industries and ask them what a day in their life is like at their job,” Tolver said.? “Go on LinkedIn and try to do virtual chats. Try to look at their LinkedIn profile, what they are posting, their content…look at ‘Day in the Life’ videos on YouTube [for different professions]. Become a student of your career.”

The connections you make by conducting those chats can help in the future too.?

“Informational interviews were a game-changer for me when I decided to pivot my career,” Lopez said. “Whenever I had a question about something that was unclear in a job description, interview questions, or if I needed some guidance with a performance task, I reached out to these professionals and they provided me with insightful advice/tips.

“Additionally, because they knew I was actively looking for a new role, they also referred me for job opportunities.”

Lopez advised trying out the career if possible after you have done the proper research.?

“If I felt like I was still interested in pursuing a certain career after doing an informational interview, I found an opportunity to ‘try’ it out,” Lopez said. “It might not be possible for everyone, but I received a lot of hands-on experience through internships, volunteering, and doing passion projects.”

If you don’t have experience in a field you want to pivot to, don’t fret. Think about the skills you have and can use in the industry, and how you can build new skills to excel.

“When I decided to pivot my career, I had no idea what I could or should do,” Lopez said. “I knew I had a lot of transferable skills but it was hard to pinpoint exactly what I wanted to pursue.

“Reading job descriptions and doing informational interviews worked well for me. When I read a job description and a particular position appeals to me, I use LinkedIn and find people with that job title. Then, I try to request an informational interview so I can ask what they do on a day-to-day basis.?

“I've learned that job titles and job descriptions can vary tremendously from one company/industry to the next so the best way to really learn is to talk to real people that are already doing the work you want to do.”?

It is also important to keep your finances in mind as you prepare for a pivot, Lopez said.

“Once you have pinpointed the type of role/industry you want but you don't have any experience, I'd say the first priority is to ensure you are financially covered,” Lopez said. “The best time to pivot is when you are still employed because you won’t have to worry about income.

“You'll be more focused on upskilling, networking, and taking your time on finding/pivoting into your targeted industry/career. If you are unemployed and need money to put food on the table or pay rent, it is completely OK to get a job just for the paycheck while you're working on your pivot process.”

Think about each job as a learning opportunity and leverage the experience to show potential employers how you can add value to their organization, solve their problems, or grow their business, Lopez said.?

Making a career pivot is a major move, but it can be an easier transition with the right tools and knowledge. Start with a self-assessment, talk to as many people as possible in the industry you want to pivot to, consider the roles you want to land, and build the skills you need to create a successful transition.

Top Takeaways

How to Make a Career Pivot

• Start with a self-assessment to identify where you want to pivot and the roles you want to land.?
• Network and talk to as many people as possible who work in the industry you want to pivot to. Set up informational interviews.?
• Build your skills for your new industry, but also show employers how your skills can add value to their organizations.
• Give yourself some grace. Career pivots are not always quick or easy. They can sometimes take a year or longer.