A Guide to Pivoting Careers—Without Starting Over.

Last weekend, I talked with a new client who has worked at the same company for 22 years. She told me that she feels like she’s been climbing up a mountain, and her boots are getting heavier and heavier. She hasn't felt a sense of purpose or connection to her work in a long time. And it’s exhausting.

She wanted to know: How do I start over after investing so much in my current path?

I’ve talked with so many people who, like her, visualize their work as a mountain. They chose their field and steadily scaled upward over the years. What happens, then, when you suddenly look around and think, “Oh no! I’m on the wrong mountain!”—or when your industry shifts the terrain shifts beneath your feet?

It’s daunting to think about starting all the way at the bottom again—going back to school to earn a new degree or seeking out an entry level job. It often comes with sinking regret that we’ve wasted our time or resources on a path that wasn’t the right one after all.

We need to throw out this mountain metaphor all together. Not only is it an image that keeps us trapped, it’s not true to how the world works now.

Instead, let’s picture ourselves in the driver’s seat of a car, navigating our career path. We’ve been on one road for a while, and to change course all we need to do is signal and turn onto a new road. We still have all of the skills and experience that we’ve built up in the backseat. We get to take that with us on a new journey that picks up right where the last road left off.

We know from data collected by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics that it is normal to to change jobs—and careers— seven to twelve times over the course of our lifetimes.

Pivoting is not making a mistake. It’s not starting over. It’s a normal part of career development. 

Here are four ways to pivot into a new career path—without starting over:

1. TRANSLATE YOUR SKILLS

Instead of crossing your fingers that a hiring manager will understand why being a bartender makes you perfect for a fundraising position, you need to connect the dots for them and tell a cohesive story about how your skills translate. Atomize your past and current work—break each role down into all of its skills and components—and connect those components to your new path.

-->For example, bartending is all about developing rapport quickly, building strong relationships, direct communication, managing competing priorities, and meeting customers’ needs. Go deeper than your job title to uncover the many hard and soft skills in your toolbox. (Hint: the soft skills are often the most transferrable and valuable in a career pivot.) 

2. DEVELOP YOUR SKILLS

Sometimes it’s necessary to acquire new skills in order to prepare for your career pivot and show that you’re right for the job. You can do this by taking a course or earning a certification in specialized skills, taking on a project to grow your skills, or taking a position that will foster your growth in a specific area. Each of these strategies offers a way to develop your skills, grow your portfolio of work, and demonstrate that you are ready to take on a new role.

-->For example, a high school teacher who wants to become a human resources manager is already driven by a purpose to help others grow. They may earn a certification through the leading professional organization for HR managers or they may put together a training series for their peers at their current organization.

3. AUDITION YOUR SKILLS

If you have a clear understanding of how your skills transfer, create an opportunity to show those skills in action. You'll be able to establish a track-record, demonstrate your know-how, and prove that you have the chops to take on the new role.

-->For example, a pharmaceutical researcher who wants to pivot into science communications may write a few sample blog posts or outline a communications strategy for their potential employer. Or they may take matters into their own hands by starting a podcast and managing the show’s presence on social media.

4. LINE UP A SKILLS SPONSOR

Social connections are often the key to landing a new position, especially for a career pivot. A colleague with connections can vouch for your transferrable skills and the value that you'd bring to the team. Don’t be shy about asking someone to put in a good word—it’s a resourceful and strategic move, two qualities that any employer would want in a team member.

-->For example, a financial advisor applying to an operations role might ask a networked colleague to connect with a decision-maker on their behalf. The goal of the note is to call attention to their application and underscore the transferrable skills that make them right for the team.

After 22 years, my client is not starting over at the bottom of a mountain. The backseat of her car is loaded up with incredibly valuable skills, experience, and perspectives that she can—and will—bring with her to a variety of settings. I can’t wait to start our work together to make it all happen.