How can you build a support system during a career pivot?

This is a serious question requiring as serious an answer as I can give. Career pivots are tough and tiring. Whether forced or voluntary, a pivot requires 1) a high degree of self-awareness: knowledge of what you're passionate about and what means very little to you; 2) a high degree of learning agility: commitment to acquiring new skills that you may have never before considered; and, 3) a high degree of self-actualization: the ability to apply of an abundance of kinetic energy. Your support network during a pivot should be able to address all three of these personal requirements. Reach out to the "special few" and ask them to stick by your side. Lastly, please pay it forward: be the supportive person you need to someone else in mid-pivot.

Just as a person just enters the organization and needs support at the beginning of her career, a person who has a job rotation also feels the need for support from the organization. ـ Defining the desired job competencies and competency gap analysis ـ Planning the required training courses in the new job ـ Getting help from a coach or mentor in a new job ـ Analysis of individual performance in monthly, quarterly and annual time frames ـ Providing feedback according to performance in order to improve it

Building a support system during a career pivot is crucial to navigate the transition successfully. Here are some steps you can take to establish a strong support system: 1. Identify your goals and needs: Determine what type of support you require during your career pivot. This could include emotional support, advice, mentorship, networking opportunities, or specific industry knowledge. 2. Seek out mentors and advisors: Look for individuals who have experience in your desired field or have successfully made a similar career transition. Reach out to them for guidance, advice, and mentorship. They can provide valuable insights and support throughout your journey.

Some ways to get started. -Stay positive, do grounding exercises, spend time with nature -Stay energetic, It's important -Keep on searching about key metrics and performance indicators for the role

I read an article by Joel Comm. Joel highlights key points to consider in career pivoting. Although I have been with the same organization for 18 years, I have had many pivots in various fields within our organization. The traditional notion of a lifelong commitment to one profession/skill is no longer practical, making career pivoting more desirable. Successful pivoting requires Intentionality: Emphasizing both goals & the choice of connections you include. Next, he mentions having a methodical approach which involves building upon past successes & seeking mentorship with an SME. Lastly, he addresses Dependability. This incl honesty, maintaining relationships,& expanding one's network for support (the importance of not burning bridges).

I personally feel that everyone has identified their go to mentor/coach on the career front. You just have to be proactive enough to get their perspective to help you make better decisions. Be open to meet people, every conversation is a learning about experiences one has had, challenges seen etc. There's a lot of technical learning you get when you want to have a cross functional expertise, have you tried to learn a new skill recently?

Growing your network is important you might need the help of them even when you are hiring or having a concern about something You will be able to mingle with different people from different backgrounds and cultures and you might adopt a different style of communication

Your networking strategy depends on your career needs. First, identify whether you need others to help you chisel out a clearer career vision, produce better results, develop new behaviors or skills, or something else. When you contact others without a well-defined agenda, they may view it as a waste of their time and won’t take your call again in the future. Don’t waste your and others time (as well as your social capital) by networking that is irrelevant to your career plan. Only when you know what you are looking for, define your reach-out approach.

Remember that your network doesn't always mean your professional network. Do you have family or neighbors in the industry/field? Do you have members of hobby/social groups or religious groups that could be connected to that work? When pivoting careers, you need to cast a bit of a wider net.

This is bound to happen in any career graph. But most important is accept it and work on it. Always keep your network strong and have some people who will stand with you be it any situation.

There are a number of online, in person and even hybrid groups you can join to expand your network and gain a wider range of opportunities. There are many free and some paid memberships, often expertise or industry specific. Search LinkedIn and slack for groups you may want to be a part of and engage with relevant posts to start building connections.

It's helpful to look out for and attend networking events & industry conferences to connect with professionals in your desired field and build relationships. It's highly recommended to utilize online platforms such as LinkedIn to connect with professionals who have successfully made a career pivot and seek advice & guidance from them. They've travelled that road, they can help you get to where you want to go quicker. Joining industry-specific groups & organizations to network with like-minded professionals and gain insights into the industry will also go a long way.

When pivoting your career, expanding your network is essential. Here are key steps: 1. Identify your target industry. 2. Connect with professionals in the field. 3. Attend industry events and use online platforms. 4. Seek informational interviews. 5. Offer your expertise and help. 6. Attend relevant workshops and programs. 7. Leverage existing connections. 8. Maintain and nurture your network.

About 8 years ago when I began my career pivot/transition back into the field of HR, I knew I needed to grow my HR professional network, and I did it in a couple of key ways. For starters, I identified folks in my existing network who could introduce me to HR practitioners that I can meet, learn about their roles/career paths, and ask advice. This proved to be the most valuable thing I did in order to learn more about the HR profession, and, ultimately, get to the right decision makers for future opportunities. Secondly, I joined a HR professional association (SHRM affiliated chapter) in which I not only got to meet other HR professionals, but became highly involved and engaged.

This is very important. Networks represents new knowledge and perspectives. You need to be very deliberate in assessing the networking opportunities and the impact that they have on your growth. Manage the volume and pace of knowledge gathering. Manage the different perspectives that each person in your network offers and align them to your personal growth. Ask yourself, what is the impact of each identity in your network on your growth journey? And depending on your stage in growth, ask yourself whether it is the right time to seek new knowledge or strengthen what you already have - additional highly specialised knowledge can be disruptive when not yet grounded on the basics. Calculated networking would help the stability of your growth.

Nurturing your relationships, provides the exposure needed when opportunities you are seeking arise. As fate often will have it, your opportunity will come from those who are willing to take a chance on you.

Naturing your relationships may also add to your existing network. Well natured relationships will add to people that will want to be deliberate in terms of contributing to your growth.

I agree that we must nurture our spheres. Whatever that looks like for your style of communications. No matter if in business or in our personal lives we must nurture those relationships.

Nurture and support others unconditionally. This is the number way to attract people into your inner circle. Once you draw people into your inner circle, you can nurture the relationships through inspiration and motivation.

One time at work, I faced a daunting project deadline. Through regular communication and nurturing my relationships with colleagues, I received invaluable assistance and fostered a sense of teamwork and camaraderie. Expressing gratitude for their support and offering help in return strengthened our bond and facilitated a smoother workflow. This experience highlighted the importance of maintaining open lines of communication and actively nurturing relationships to achieve collective success.

One thing I have found helpful is to create a personal board of advisors comprising professionals from various industries & backgrounds who can offer diverse perspectives and guidance, and also hold you accountable.

You should know what each person in your network adds to your growth. This enables you to choose your you get whatever knowledge you need. Perspectives widen your ability to solve problems and may often offer different paths for growth. Be able to identify them and engage in proportions relevant to your growth priorities

Networking is essential throughout your career journey. Whether actively job hunting or not, maintaining a diverse network of colleagues is crucial. This ensures a reliable group of professionals you can turn to for advice, support, and diverse perspectives. Consistent networking enhances your professional connections and strengthens your position in the professional landscape.

In my experience, supporting others is the best way to build relationships and develop your own skills and knowledge. By offering to help you discover how your role or knowledge relates to the work of others, you help them understand what you can bring to a team, project or organisation and you are connected to the wider sense of purpose as a group. Ask the simple question: what do you need help with most right now? And remember that support can come in many forms.

Supporting others is integral to personal and professional growth. I've strengthened relationships and fostered a positive impact through active listening, encouragement, and advice. Embracing a two-way street mentality, where giving and receiving support are valued, has enriched my journey. Learning from others' experiences has broadened my perspective and deepened my understanding of empathy and collaboration.

Enroll in courses, workshops, or training programs related to your new career. These settings provide opportunities to meet others who are also in the process of learning and transitioning, creating a built-in support system.

Keep a constant eye on changes in your company, personal well-being, and industry developments. Making a career change successfully requires being knowledgeable and flexible.

In my experience, building a support system during a career pivot isn't just about surrounding yourself with cheerleaders. It's equally crucial to seek out constructive critics—those who challenge your choices and provide honest feedback. Embrace perspectives that question your decisions; these challenges refine your path during a career transition. A support system isn't just about affirmation; it's about having a team that helps you grow, even when it means facing uncomfortable truths.

Other points to consider are to be intentional, and participate in professional development programs and workshops to enhance your skills and knowledge in your new field. Attend webinars, workshops, or seminars related to your new career path to learn from experts in the field and connect with fellow participants. Volunteer or intern in organizations or roles related to your new career path to gain experience and build relationships with professionals in the field. By volunteering, you get free on-the-job training and get experience.

Enroll in courses, workshops, or training programs related to your new career. These settings provide opportunities to meet others who are also in the process of learning and transitioning, creating a built-in support system.