Lucy - BQ Magazine EditorWhether you’re having trouble finding the position that gives you the compensation that you deserve, or you simply have fallen out of love with your job and want to find something new, a career pivot can be a scary but necessary step.
Some people manage to put their foot in the darkness and land on something totally new that becomes a lucrative passion, but for most, it’s typically best done with a little planning and foresight.
It doesn’t have to be all that scary, however. Here are a few tips to help you find the best path ahead.
Start With Your Why
If you have been feeling like your career has been feeling stale as of late, then you need to start by thinking about why, exactly, that is, and what it is that you want next. The answer can differ from person to person. Some might be looking for a path that offers better pay, others might be seeking personal growth, while some may be lacking a work-life balance that a different career could help with.
Reflect on what you’ve enjoyed (and not enjoyed) in your current path. Identify your transferable skills, such as problem-solving, communication, or technical expertise. Getting an idea of what you want and what you have to offer can be an important step in charting your next moves.
Branch Out But Build On What You Know
You might be willing or even eager to start with an entirely clean slate and get into an industry that has little, if any, crossover with your past work. If you’re willing to start from the bottom step, then more power to you.
However, finding a way to shift your career laterally can open up the path ahead. For instance, if you’re sick of graphic design, you can still take the creative and practised eye you have and look into print jobs, instead, for instance.
Getting more involved in the production or packaging side, or working to translate graphics instead of creating them yourself, can help you feel comfortable and familiar in a new position, but learning new skills to open up new paths of progression.
Fill Your Gaps Strategically
When you pivot into a new position, it’s going to reveal new skills gaps relative to the industry you’re looking at. However, this provides a road map, allowing you to easily identify the tools, platforms, or certifications you can train for that allow you to establish your new career direction.
In the case of moving from copywriting to UX writing, for instance, a little training with online platforms, user journeys, and interface design can help you quickly learn how to apply the skills you have.
There are plenty of online course platforms and bootcamps that can help you upskill as quickly or as flexibly as you need.
Get Used To The New You
A career pivot is not just a new job. It’s a new brand story that you have to tell not just those you want to work with, but yourself, as well. How you frame your experience can help you make that transition a lot smoother.
Rewrite your resume for your new career and try to think about your past experiences in the context of the role you’re aiming to work in. If you have pivoted from a career that has a lot of crossover skills and experiences, then you should easily be able to show how they can apply to the new role you want to work in.
You can go even further, telling the story of your transition through things like LinkedIn posts or personal blog updates, helping you establish your professional brand.
Test The Waters
You don’t necessarily have to quit your existing job to make the pivot. You can test out your new path first. Look for opportunities to freelance consult, volunteer, or intern in your target industry. This lets you explore the field without the pressure of full commitment and gives you real-world proof of concept.
Side gigs can become stepping stones or even evolve into full-time offers. Taking on these jobs not only helps you get a taste of the work that you want to do, but can help you start building your portfolio and professional connections so that you’re a bit better prepared for your full launch into that career later.
With the tips above, you can make sure that your career pivot is grounded in real opportunity, making the best use of the experience and skills you’ve built so far. That way, it doesn’t have to feel like starting from scratch.