In today's fast-paced and ever-evolving professional landscape, making career pivots is increasingly becoming the norm. According to a 2022 report by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average length of employment in the same role or company is now about 4.1 years, significantly shorter than in previous decades.
On 11 July 2024, I moderated a panel discussion in collaboration with the Singapore National Library Board on the topic of “Navigating Career Pivots: Insider Insights To Land Your Dream Job,” where panellists shared their personal stories and tips for doing so successfully. Among the attendees, 40% had 10 years or less of work experience, while more than 63% were considering making a career pivot in the next six months. The discussion revealed several insightful strategies and considerations for those contemplating a career change.
Understanding Why You Would Want to Do a Career Pivot
A career pivot involves making a significant change in one's professional direction, often by switching industries, roles, or skill sets. This could involve moving from a non-technical role to a technical position, switching industries altogether, or even starting a new business. The motivations behind career pivots can vary widely. Some individuals seek new challenges, while others may pivot in response to industry changes or personal life circumstances. Regardless of the reason, career pivots require careful planning and execution. The panel discussed a few reasons for why they decided to pivot their careers.
Desire for Growth and Development: A common theme among the panellists was the desire for growth and development. Many professionals reach a point where their current roles no longer offer significant growth opportunities, leading them to seek new challenges that push their boundaries and enhance their skills.
What Energises You: The panel discussed how understanding what excites you from past roles or projects is crucial for identifying the right industry or role to pivot into. Priyanka, one of the panellists, also suggested paying attention to what type of business news interest you, as these can provide valuable clues.
Personal Circumstances: Life events such as family responsibilities, health issues, or a desire for better work-life balance can also drive career pivots. Panellist Chenghao shared his experience of transitioning to a role with less business travel and more regular hours to prioritise time with his family.
5 Strategies for Navigating Career Pivots
Understand the requirements of the new role and map it to transferable skill sets from your existing experience: During the audience Q&A, a common concern was how one's existing experience would compare to other candidates with more direct qualifications. Panellists suggested ensuring that your resume clearly highlights relevant transferable skills and focuses on quantifiable impacts using frameworks like STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Results).
Develop new skill sets relevant to your next role: Sometimes you do need to gain additional skill sets to better position yourself for your next role. Taking on stretch projects at your current workplace may help. Undertaking relevant training or certification programs may also be helpful if this is relevant for the next role you are considering.
Network, Network & Network: Building and leveraging a professional network is crucial, as panellist Kachi pointed out how referrals are important in a competitive job market. The panellists stressed the importance of proactive networking, not just when seeking a job. Developing relationships can lead to unexpected opportunities, as exemplified by panellist Chenghao's career transitions through connections with clients and vendors.
Seeking Support and Guidance from Mentors: Career pivots can be challenging, and the panellists underscored the value of seeking support from mentors. They can provide objective feedback, encouragement, and valuable insights from their own experience to navigate the transition successfully.
Making a small pivot each time: Rather than making a drastic change, making several smaller pivots may make it easier for you to get to where you want to be. Small pivots can help build confidence through achievable goals and allow for continuous reassessment, making the overall transition smoother and more manageable.
Overcoming Challenges
Career pivots are not without challenges. Common obstacles include fear of the unknown, financial instability, and peers or family who are unsupportive. Addressing these challenges requires a proactive and resilient mindset.
Understand the Tradeoffs and What You Want to Get Out of It: Being clear about the benefits of the pivot and weighing them against potential downsides can provide the necessary motivation to move forward.
Financial Planning: Career pivots may involve a temporary reduction in income. Building a financial cushion and budgeting for the transition period can alleviate stress and allow for a smoother pivot.
Managing What Others Think or Unwarranted Advice: Well-meaning friends or family may often cast doubt on your career decisions. It is essential to manage these opinions and stay focused on your own goals and reasons for the pivot.
Conclusion
Navigating a career pivot is a multifaceted process that requires introspection, planning, and proactive effort. By understanding the reasons behind the pivot, conducting thorough research, developing relevant skills, and leveraging networks, professionals can successfully transition to new and fulfilling career paths. While challenges are inevitable, a resilient and flexible approach can turn these challenges into opportunities for growth and personal development. Career pivots are not just about changing jobs; they are about evolving and adapting in a dynamic professional world.
Event Panellists
Priyanka Nath
Priyanka is a fractional CMO and advisor for growth stage startups in APAC. She has over 15+ years of marketing leadership experience in Tech, including stints at Google, Expedia Group and Dell Technologies, backed by an MBA from INSEAD. She is also a mentor with Jump Mentor. Find out more here.
Kachi N.
Kachi is a seasoned Talent Acquisition professional with extensive experience in hiring the best talents across various functions and industries. She currently leads international and leadership hiring at Lenskart / Owndays eyewear group and was previously at Meta, Google and HSBC. She is also a mentor with Jump Mentor. Find out more here.
Ye Chenghao
Chenghao is currently the Head of Maintenance Engineering Centre at SMRT Trains Ltd. Prior to this, Chenghao started his career as an engineer at DSTA, moved to industry promotion in EDB, before becoming the Singapore Country Manager in Boeing supporting defence
aftermarket services.