If you’re in a place where you’re considering pivoting your career, whether that’s by necessity or by choice, you are not alone. In fact, we all go through cycles where we are either sick of what we’re doing for work or we just want to explore new things. Today, we are seeing plenty of work environments evolving rapidly, and people are changing careers more often than ever before. But making a successful transition takes so much more than just sending out a few resumes these days.
You can’t just walk into a shop or into an office, hand over your resume, and expect to get a job. You need to be able to upgrade yourself personally and professionally in ways that align with both your goals, your values, and also the demands of a desired role. Whether you’re shifting into a new area or not, there are some things that you could be doing to upgrade your own personal and professional life. Let’s take a look.
1. Get your CPR certification
It’s a small but powerful upgrade to your professional credentials, and enrolling in a free CPR certification course can make a big difference to you personally, too. It’s valuable if you’re transitioning into roles in healthcare, education, childcare, fitness, or even public service. But even if you’re not, it signals responsibility, preparedness, and a commitment to safety for yourself and for others. Many courses are now available online or in hybrid formats, allowing you to gain practical skills without disrupting your schedule too much.
2. Perform a soft skill audit.
If you’re looking to transition into a new industry or pivot your current career, consider examining your past job titles and the skills you gained in those roles. Soft skills will always carry weight into a new industry, and communication, leadership, and emotional intelligence are those that can always be benefited from. Take a look and evaluate all of your current soft skills, and then you could even use things like ChatGPT to find out whether or not you can plug those skills into new industries.
Sometimes, a career pivot without a plan can leave you feeling very lost very quickly. Having a personal development plan allows you to map out your timelines, goals, and skills and what the necessary checkpoints are. Along the way, you have to ask yourself what your end goal is and what you need to learn to get there. You might also consider thinking about the connections that you need to make so you’re not lost.
4. Invest in microlearning
Sometimes transitioning into a new industry allows you to open some doors into microlearning. You don’t always need a degree, especially if you’ve got good, soft, and hard skills that you can carry with you. Sometimes relevant skills come in the form of micro learning, which involves short, focused learning sessions. This is ideal for career changes. Think YouTube tutorials, 20-minute online courses, or even podcasts during your commute. There are plenty of platforms out there that offer targeted and affordable learning opportunities for anyone to get involved with.
As you try pivoting your career, your personal brand has to reflect that change. Start by updating your LinkedIn profile to highlight your new direction. Adjust your headline, your bio, and featured projects to match your desired industry. Consider writing a short post about your decision to try pivoting your career, what you’ve learned, and where you’re headed next. Authentic storytelling is always going to attract the right kind of attention, and it shows potential employers that you’re proactive and self-aware about who you are and where you want to be.
Often, opportunities are found in the existing network that you have; you just have to be willing to look for them. It’s a good idea to reach out to people from past jobs and look at former colleagues and mentors for advice or referrals. At the same time, start connecting with people in your target industry. You can join online communities, attend virtual or even in-person events, and comment on relevant discussions on platforms. Most career opportunities come from relationships rather than job sports, so put people at the centre of your pivot strategy.
2. Focus on your health
Career changes are exciting, but they can also be stressful. To navigate it, you need to show up as your best self, both mentally and physically. That means prioritising habits that boost your resilience, such as consistent sleep routines and mindfulness or journaling practices. When your mind and body are supported, you’ll have more energy and better focus.
3. Practice interviewing for the role that you want
If it’s been a while since your last job hunt, or if you’re applying to roles in an entirely new sector, interviewing can feel like a minefield. Never wait for an actual opportunity to start preparing. You’ve got to practice your elevator pitch, prepare examples to show transferable skills, and role-play with a friend or a coach to rehearse difficult questions. You may also consider mock interviews through career centres or platforms to help.
4. Embrace a growth mindset
Shifting your career can feel like starting over, but it’s really about starting fresh. The most successful career pivoters are those who see change as an opportunity rather than a setback. Adopting a growth mindset means seeing mistakes as learning and being open to feedback as you go. This mindset is especially crucial if you’re moving into a role where you’re not yet the expert. Believing that your abilities can evolve with effort takes time, so instead of fearing what you don’t know, start getting excited about what you’re about to learn.
The best way to attempt pivoting your career is to keep up that momentum. Setting small, achievable goals every week can help you because consistency beats intensity when it comes to change. Even if progress feels slow, every step forward is movement in the right direction.
Photo by Ron Lach; Pexels
Editor in Chief of Under30CEO. I have a passion for helping educate the next generation of leaders. MBA from Graduate School of Business. Former tech startup founder. Regular speaker at entrepreneurship conferences and events.
