How to plan a career pivot

Are you thinking of making a switch in your career or job path? Then it may be time for a pivot! A career pivot is a big change in career trajectory, which might involve a different job type, industry, location, skillset or focus.

Embarking on a pivot can be a great way to upgrade your skills, knowledge or experience or to find opportunities that more closely align with your values, goals or interests.

It could mean you're looking to get experience in a brand-new field or to hone existing skills, making you a more competitive job candidate and giving you an edge in the job market.

Maybe you're looking to increase your earning potential by entering a new field, which in turn, could help you to progress in your career faster and earn more sooner.

You could also be looking to gain a sense of fulfilment, by pursuing a job you're passionate about, that can bring more joy and motivation to your work.

Whatever the reason for starting on this path, we have some useful guidance that will help you get clear, be strategic and stay bold when you're planning your next career move.

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Get really clear on what you want and why

Some questions you might like to consider before making any big career decisions are:

1. Is it the right time to leave your current role or organisation? Have you fulfilled your potential there?

2. What’s making you want to leave or change? Is it something that you’re moving towards, like improved pay, position, experience, benefits, or location? Or is it something you’re not happy with where you are? Are there changes that can be made in your current role or organisation?

Sometimes it can be useful to reassess the potential of your existing role before moving on to something else. It might mean that when you go to your next role, it's at a higher level than you imagined, because you took the opportunity to up-level your existing position first.

3. What’s your long-term goal? How might your next move help you get there?

Once you have clarity with regards to what you’re looking for, it also becomes easier to make a plan that will support your pivot.

Consider what kind of change you’re looking for

If you're looking to make a career shift, here are some key kinds of transition you might make.

• industry
• job role
• skillset
• location
• a combination of all

Which of these are you considering for your next move? What actions would you need to take to support that type of move?

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Pinpoint the positives and identify the gaps:

Making an inventory of your skills, values and interests in relation to the type of work you enjoy is crucial when changing careers.

• Think about what you’re good at and what you might need to improve to make the most of your existing talents in your new role.
• Looking at your skills, strengths, values and interests and consider what type of organisation or job role might be most suited.
• Are there knowledge, skills, or experience gaps?
• How can you fill the gaps? You could possibly consider training or volunteering?

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Get creative with ideas

Brainstorm all the industries and roles that fit your skills and values, get creative or look for advice from others who have shaped their career.

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Research

Take the time to research potential employers, job duties, and salary expectations to help you make an informed decision and increase the likelihood of finding the right job. You could start by researching on LinkedIn or job listings websites where you might find detailed job postings and reviews from former and current employees. Speak to friends, family, colleagues and contacts to find out about relevant job openings or role possibilities. ?

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Create a job hunt plan

To achieve your goals, it is important to create a plan of action. Consider what key actions you need to take and then form regular job-hunt tasks based on those requirements. Doing this will help you stay on track and work towards achieving your goal.

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Prepare your resume, LinkedIn profile and cover letter

Make sure your resume, LinkedIn profile and cover letter are tailored to the job you’re applying for, including the relevant keywords and keep them as succinct as possible. Highlight any relevant experience or accomplishments that will help you to stand out from other candidates.

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Network

Reach out to recruiters and contacts in your network and find relevant contacts on LinkedIn or through networking. This way you can hear about the latest job openings, get feedback, look for opportunities and receive invaluable support during and after your career move.

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Start applying

You’ve spent the time, working out where your skills, talents and interests lie, decided what field or job roles you’re interested in, it’s time to start applying.

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Maintain a positive mindset

There's going to be days when you're exhausted and you might wonder why you’re doing this. There's going to be rejection and challenges along the way.

It's important that you continue to go back to your “why”.

If you have your “why”, and you're clear on the end goal, it's going to be easier to get back up and keep making progress.

Be kind to yourself, don’t take rejection personally (but learn from it), look after your health, so that you can stay positive and maintain your energy. Its “a marathon, not a sprint” and if you keep following these steps and use the advice and tools on this platform, you will get there.

For more detailed advice on making a career pivot or support for the job-hunting process, we recommend taking a look at our Hub members platform for job hunters, coming soon.

Find out more here .