How To Pivot Your Career

Fancy doing something different? Want to change career direction? Here is how you can pivot your career.

You’ve reached the point when you want to change direction. Maybe you want to switch to something more desk-based or work more flexible hours. Or perhaps you fancy ramping up your career in an entirely different direction, but you don’t want to leave your current employer. How do you start that conversation and find out how possible it might be to retrain, move sideways and reinvent yourself?

Scope Out the Possibilities

Perhaps the most important part of pivoting to another role is to scope out your possibilities. For instance

Do you want to do something that is similar to your current role or uses similar skills to the ones you already possess?
What things do you like most about your current/past job(s) and what do you dislike?
What skills have you accrued over time and what motivates you?
Are you a people person or do you prefer a less frontline role?

Understanding what your interests are and what motivates you in your current role will help to frame your ideas. You can try to work through these issues yourself, but it can help to bring in the expertise of a coach who can guide your thoughts.

Once you have a good idea - or range of ideas - of where you might like to move to, scope out people in your organisation or in your network who could help you. They are likely to be people who are already doing that role. Reach out to them to get advice and to find out what the role actually entails. Sometimes your view of it and the reality might be fairly different.

Shadowing

Lucy Standing, founder of Brave Starts, which helps people with career transition, emphasises that it’s important to hear from those who do the job about what it entails and, if possible, shadow them, to get a clear idea if that is what you want. Often, she says, people who she works with, decide that, while they may have started out with plans for a radical career change, they are happier with smaller changes that give them greater flexibility or creativity.

Create 'Pivot Projects'

The next step, according to the Squiggly Careers podcast, which promotes non-linear careers, is to create pivot projects that allow you to showcase the skills needed for the role you have your eye on.

It is also worth bearing in mind the value-add that your career pivot might bring to a role. For instance, you might be able to demonstrate that years of experience in one aspect of the business such as the operational side could be a big asset for another area such as HR, bridging what is a common gap in understanding between different sectors of a business.

Once you have amassed some examples that show what you can bring to the table then start applying for and inquiring about opportunities to get more experience in that area. Ensure you get feedback on what you are doing so that you can plug any gaps.

Retraining for a New Role

It may be that your new role requires you to retrain. Check out whether your employer offers apprenticeships or other forms of upskilling on the job. Apprenticeships are often seen as something for younger workers, but there is no upper age limit and many companies use them for employees of all ages, recognising the need for lifelong learning.

Darren Underhill is one employee who has benefited from a career pivot. He was a senior retail manager at Asda, but found himself experiencing less interaction with customers and colleagues and having little work life balance.

During the Covid pandemic, his father lost his hearing and Darren became interested in hearing loss. It got him thinking about a career helping people with hearing loss where he could give something back. He spoke to Specsavers and realised he had many transferable skills. Working at a local store in Grantham with clinicians, he had to start from scratch.

Darren, who left school at 16, is also doing a two-year foundation degree in audiology. He loves helping others and being able to learn something new. “It’s an exciting business to be working in, especially as we have an ageing population – increasing numbers of people will need access to better hearing and better eyesight,” he says.

How to Approach a Career Change Conversation with Your Employer

Liz Sebag-Montefiore from careers experts 10 Eighty has some useful advice to consider before you book a chat with your boss about career change.

1. Clarify Your Goals Before the Conversation

Before approaching your employer, take time to reflect on why you’re considering a career change. Are you seeking new challenges, more flexibility in line with your values, or a shift in industry? Having a clear sense of your motivations and desired direction will help you communicate your intentions with confidence and purpose.

2. Assess Your Employer’s Perspective

Consider how your employer might react to your career change ambitions. If your company values internal mobility, they may support you exploring new roles. If you’re looking to move externally, think about how your departure could impact your team and how you can frame the conversation professionally and constructively.

3. Choose the Right Timing and Setting

Timing is key when having sensitive career discussions. Avoid bringing it up during a busy period or in a high-stress situation. Instead, request a one-to-one meeting with your manager or a mentor within the company to discuss your career aspirations in a structured and thoughtful way.

4. Frame it as a Development Discussion

Rather than positioning your career change as a sudden exit plan, frame it as a professional growth conversation. Express your interest in developing new skills or exploring different career paths and ask for guidance on how the company might support your transition - whether internally or externally.

5. Explore Internal Opportunities First

If you’re open to staying within the company, explore lateral moves or skill-building opportunities that align with your career change. Shadowing a colleague, taking on stretch projects, or applying for internal secondments can provide hands-on experience while allowing you to stay within a familiar environment.

6. Seek Honest Feedback and Advice

Your employer can offer valuable insights into your strengths and areas for growth. Ask your manager or HR for feedback on how your current skills align with your new career goals and whether they see opportunities for you to transition smoothly. Their perspective may uncover paths you hadn’t considered.

7. Test the Waters Outside Your Role

If an internal move isn’t an option or you’re planning to change industries, start small by testing the waters. This could include taking relevant courses, volunteering, freelancing, or networking with professionals in your target field. Engaging in side projects can give you clarity and confidence before making a full transition.

8. Maintain Professionalism and Transparency

If you decide to transition out of your company, handle the process professionally. Be transparent about your decision without burning bridges. Offer to support knowledge transfer and a smooth handover. A positive departure ensures you leave on good terms, which can be beneficial for future references or even returning to the company in a different capacity.