How do you make a successful career pivot?

Focus on 4 gaps to make a successful career pivot 1. Skills: Learn the Tech skills, soft skills, learn the tools (software) & get certified. I recommend a bootcamp for this, before an extensive Masters degree. 2. Get hands on experience: Volunteer at work in the new role you want. Alternatively offer your new skills to with a non-profit or cash strapped startup. 3. Market yourself in context of the new role you’re working towards. Rebrand your resume & linked-in. Practice for interviews with experts in the new role you seek. 4. Network network network. Network to get referrals, references and insights. How? Go to lots of conferences, meet people who are where you want to be, but ideally 2 levels above where you want to be. 💪

When considering a career change, the initial step is to introspect and understand your motivations. Is your desire for change driven by the pursuit of personal and professional growth, a shift in interests and passions, the need for a different workplace culture, or simply the aspiration for a higher salary? Reflecting on these questions is crucial as it helps define your career vision and shape your next steps. It's also worth considering if a full career shift is necessary. Sometimes, the solution may be found within your current context, such as seeking a promotion, transferring to a different department, or relocating to another office location.

Making a successful career pivot can be both exciting and challenging. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you navigate the transition: 1. Self-Assessment and Determine Gaps 2. Research 3. Skill Development 4. Networking 5. Personal Branding 6. Job Search 7. Prepare for Interviews 8. Stay Persistent 9. Seek Mentorship 10. Evaluate and AdjustMaking a successful career pivot can be both exciting and challenging. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you navigate the transition: 1. Self-Assessment and Determine Gaps 2. Research 3. Skill Development 4. Networking 5. Personal Branding 6. Job Search 7. Prepare for Interviews 8. Stay Persistent 9. Seek Mentorship 10. Evaluate and Adjust

My reason for changing my career direction was born out of frustration of having 3 job changes in 6 years, due to things like, restructuring. I was also becoming rather bored, having worked as a manufacturing engineer for many years. So I looked at all my years of experience and skills and thought what other areas of engineering I could work in. I wanted variety, interest and challenges. So went into contracting roles using all my knowledge to help my clients with their projects. I realised that I let my career go a bit “stale” and that working on lots of short term project had woken up my mind again.

One thing I’ve found helpful is reflect on your current career and state of mind. Without a deep introspective reflection about how you got to where you are, you will always end up right back in the same place.

Create a 30, 60, 90 Day plan for your pivot journey and write down the companies and the job titles that best align with your skills and interests. For each company or job title, start listing out names of contacts through Linkedin research that you can have informational interviews with to learn more about the roles. Pre-plan your questions for these informational interviews. Consider chatting with people that have left the role you are interested in as well who have gone on to something else, they may have interesting insights.

By categorizing opportunities into tiers, you can streamline your job search process. This allows you to focus your energy primarily on pursuing dream jobs, while also keeping viable alternatives in view. Tier 1: Dream Jobs -The positions that perfectly align with your career aspirations and values. They represent the ideal scenario in terms of job role, company culture and growth prospects Tier 2: Acceptable Jobs -They may not be perfect, but they are still good fits. They meet most of your criteria and offer a reasonable balance of what you seek in a role. Tier 3: Safe Jobs -Options that ensure stability. They might not be as exciting or as aligned with your long-term goals, but they meet basic professional needs.

I found when looking at future opportunities and options, it was best to look at I liked about life itself. I knew I liked working with people and enjoyed all the different personalities. I like interesting problems and learning from others. I liked teamwork and cooperation. So I looked at roles/opportunities that would provide these things. Yes, things aren’t always the way I would prefer, however, taking the good with the bad makes me more resilient and adaptable.

Most of us have far greater potential than we give ourselves credit for. Networking and its subset of informational interviewing are vital but so is online research. It must come first, because through it, we can learn enough to become interesting. Without it, networking will be unproductive because few executives will take the time to help those who haven't taken the trouble to be as well informed as they can be before requesting a meeting.

Once you've identified the roles you want, it's time to build your skills! You can start off with free resources to make sure you are on the right track before investing in paid training and courses. You will likely be able to find relevant courses online but also consider in-person training or networking to supplement the online training.

To build a comprehensive portfolio for a career change, start by researching the skills in demand in your target industry, focusing on what employers are seeking. Study job descriptions to understand the necessary skills and responsibilities. Keep up with industry trends through newsletters, social media, and webinars. Develop projects that showcase these skills in real-world applications, documenting your processes and outcomes. Engage with professionals in your field for insights and feedback, and incorporate their advice to refine your portfolio. Regularly update your portfolio to reflect new skills and experiences, making it accessible on platforms like LinkedIn or a personal website.

Certificates and courses can be a waste of time and money if you aren’t using them in your current role. You can learn a lot from being on the job and stepping up to try new things. Working with others also is a good source of development. In contracting roles clients are more concerned with your practical experience, than qualifications. Developing and keeping contacts and connections is also important. Referring other people you have worked with is also a good thing to do, this may come back to you by getting recommendations from others.

Investing in your own learning and development can involve formal education but also more informal training, online courses, or even ‘just’ reading books and listening to podcasts. Make sure that the learning that you’re doing is supporting your objectives. How can you take ownership for upskilling in different areas and continuing to challenge yourself, so that you make sure that you stay relevant and competitive in the workplace? A caveat here: don’t let this become an excuse for procrastination. Signing up for yet another formal training and certification can easily become a way of putting off the real work of ‘doing the thing’. By all means, keep learning – but don’t let that stop you from taking action in the meantime.

Viewing your job application elements as a trinity is an insightful approach. The job description, resume, and cover letter should indeed work in harmony, each complementing the other to present a cohesive and compelling case for your candidacy. Customize your resume for each role, ensuring it aligns with the job description. Avoid generic buzzwords and focus on specifics relevant to the position. Use the XYZ format to quantify accomplishments. This method demonstrates your impact more effectively than vague statements. For example, "Increased sales by 30% (Y) in the Northeast region (Z) by implementing a new strategic marketing plan (X)."

Your personal brand – how people see you and the value that you bring – is important whether you are an entrepreneur or a full-time employee. When you’re in a job, it’s easy to neglect this area and think it’s not relevant. I often see people whose personal LinkedIn summary is entirely about their employer rather than about themselves... Reflect on how you are being thought of and invest time and effort in making sure that the image matches up to the reality that you want to project. Elevating your personal brand – getting clear on what you stand for and the value that you bring, and communicating that clearly to the right people – will stand you in good stead when you inevitably want to (or have to) change role or company.

Most people don't realize how transferable many of their skills are. They often have their blinders on and think the work they've done is only relevant to their current role or field. This is one of the biggest misconceptions. List out all your skills and see which are also required for the pivot you're trying to make. Then revamp your resume and LinkedIn based on the needs of the next opportunity you're looking to pursue. You can use tools like Teal to help as you customize each resume to the roles you apply for.

Tailor your resume to suit each application. I have I have found it is best to set out your CV so that it is simple and clear, avoid “waffle” about your “fabulous personality”, nobody really pays attention to that. Most of my work comes through contacts and keeping a watchful eye on the changing job market. LinkedIn has become my online profile and I use it to outline my skills. Just talking to recruiters about what employers are looking for at present can provide good insights as well.

To pitch yourself efficiently , your preparation is paramount. It's not just about showcasing your skills and experience, but connecting them specifically to what the company values. Start by understanding why the company is interested in your profile. Once you grasp that, you can tailor your responses to highlight those aspects they find most appealing. Dive deep into the company's culture, goals, and challenges, and align them with your own experiences. This shows not only your enthusiasm for the position but also that you've done your homework. By aligning your responses with the company's values and needs, you position yourself as an invaluable asset, showing them you're not just looking for any job, but this job specifically.

When looking at compensation you have to think about what your skills might be worth to a prospective client/ employer. You can either be too greedy or under sell yourself. Talking with people who are already in the role you are after can give you a place to start. As I got more into contracting I began to get a feel for what to ask for and I was worth. However, if the job market is stacked in the employers favour, you may have to accept market rates. When contracting, it means no work, no money. Being sociable and amenable helps you stay in peoples minds, which can lead to repeat business. Your quality of workmanship is your calling card and it is what you are remembered for.

Moving ‘up’ to enhance/further your career is not the only option. Having been in a previous role for over 7 years I stepped out of management and my comfort zone and into a completely new function. It was an amazing and truly valuable experience seeing the business from a completely different perspective and increasing my network. The learnings from this put me in good stead with an increased understanding of the business, an appreciation for a part of the business I had previously known nothing about and didn’t prevent me from going back into management a few years later.

A career pivot will not always result in you being able to keep the seniority level you have in your current career. Some career pivots require a step back in order to get your foot in the door in a new field. Volunteering in your desired new field can also expedite the process. While you remain in your current career, you can gain substantial volunteer experience in your desired field to add to your credibility.

For a successful career pivot, it's essential to approach the process with systematic planning. Avoid making hasty decisions; instead, develop a clear career vision and focus on actionable steps that align with your long-term goals. Anticipate and prepare for setbacks, viewing challenges as opportunities to reassess and refine your strategy. Tailor each job application to the specific needs of the position, avoiding the trap of mass-applying. By adopting this methodical approach, you can navigate your career transition more effectively and increase your chances of success.

A career pivot is, above all, a chance to elevate our career journeys to a new level of fulfilment and potential. Remember that networking can give you opportunities to 'connect the dots' in your own life, e.g. by recognizing opportunities to use skills and interests that you may know you enjoy yet may be unable to see how you could use them in the future. A great pivot will be likely to hold more than one such opportunity. Each such pivot gives us the opportunity to sharpen our value proposition in ways that will attract recognition and opportunities for further growth.