No matter the source, some employees find themselves working jobs that no longer align with their career goals. When this occurs, it may prompt an intentional career pivot that allows professionals to reimagine their professional journey and take on new challenges.
However, to successfully make the switch it requires thoughtful planning and preparation. Here's how to begin:
1. Take Stock of Your Current Skills and Strengths
Gone are the days when people firmly committed themselves to one career path for life; now it is more common than ever that individuals change midstream or repurpose their skills and experience for new jobs.
As the initial step of any career pivot, taking an inventory of your current skills and strengths should be the starting point. Start by listing all the hard skills you have acquired over your career journey, rating their level of sophistication as either basic, intermediate, or expert (for example).
Step two of creating your career pivot plan should involve formulating an action plan. This may involve attending a course to acquire new skills, connecting with professionals in your chosen industry or applying for jobs that meet your career pivot goals. Setting measurable milestones and tracking progress are also vital steps toward realizing the fruits of your labors.
2. Create a Vision for Your Future
No matter their situation, people may find themselves considering making a career pivot. Before undertaking such a drastic change it's essential that one prepares carefully; creating a vision for their future may include updating resumes or taking courses, networking with potential contacts as well as psychological preparation such as working through fear and doubt associated with making such changes.
The Pivot Method offers organizations looking forward a framework to assist managers, coaches, and mentors in conducting transformative career conversations that focus on listening first rather than advice-giving immediately. This process can assist individuals in identifying their strengths and goals to chart out a roadmap for growth -- even within current roles.
3. Take Action
To move forward, taking steps is key. This could involve anything from networking (the best way to find work in new industries) and taking classes to building your personal brand and portfolio.
Establish measurable milestones and track your progress. For instance, set yourself the goal of landing five informational interviews or scheduling three projects within three weeks for your new company.
Career transition can be intimidating, especially if there are financial responsibilities involved. With proper mindset and preparation, however, successful career changes are possible and will last decades into the future. Wake Forest School of Professional Studies is proud to partner with Career Maven Tiffany Tate to offer students access to relevant career resources.
4. Evaluate Your Progress
Successful career pivots require time and resilience. Crafting a plan that includes clear steps, resources to leverage, and milestones to track will help keep you on the path of transformation, while helping to overcome challenges or roadblocks along the way.
As with a dance step, career change requires taking steps where both feet remain firmly planted while one moves in an unexpected direction. Your values, experiences, and skills serve as anchor points that provide stability and support throughout this transition process.
Begin small and treat each opportunity as a step toward your new path, even the smallest projects or informational interviews can help build momentum towards this change. By tracking your progress, you can adjust and refine your plan as necessary.
5. Celebrate Your Success
Are You Making Career Switches or Transitioning for the First Time? Regardless of how long or short the journey has been, making changes can take time and resilience - no two journeys will ever be identical.
An effective career pivot involves three components of preparation: practical, psychological and strategic. For instance, updating your resume or acquiring new skills through training/online learning programs; networking with professionals within your desired industry and concluding projects or commitments that must be dealt with during transition; as well as strategic planning to implement your plan successfully.
Psychological preparation includes addressing fear and uncertainty, practicing self-compassion and creating healthy coping strategies. Furthermore, creating a strategic plan will ensure you're on track towards meeting your goals and realizing career success.
