Navigating a Career Pivot with Confidence
By Avery Johnson
Making the leap into a new field can feel daunting, but approaching a pivot with structure reduces the friction of change.
Audit Your Transferable Skills
List the projects, responsibilities, and achievements you are most proud of. Then, rephrase them in the language of your target industry.
Search job postings and highlight shared keywords—those become your compass for positioning your experience in a way that resonates with future hiring managers.
Prototype the Transition
Test the waters before fully committing: join industry meetups, volunteer for cross-functional projects, or ship small freelance engagements.
Document what energizes you, and note any skills gaps that surface. This reflection helps tailor the learning you pursue next.
Build a Support Pod
Surround yourself with mentors and peers who have made similar moves. Their perspective keeps your expectations grounded and your morale high.
Schedule recurring check-ins that keep momentum going and provide accountability when the process feels slow.
Key takeaway
Career pivots thrive when you iterate on your narrative, test your assumptions, and lean on a team that reminds you why the change matters.