Time for a Change?

Step 1: Clarify Why You’re Pivoting

Before you tweak your resume or refresh your LinkedIn, pause and ask yourself:

• What’s missing from my current role?

• What energizes me at work?

• Do I want a new industry, a new role, or both?

Sometimes, we want to leave because of a toxic culture, not the work itself. Other times, the work no longer aligns with our values or interests. The more precise you are on the why, the easier it is to map out what’s next.

📝 Try this: Make two lists—what you want less of in your next job and what you want more of. This will act as your pivot compass.

Step 2: Identify Your Transferable Skills

This is key to pivoting without starting from scratch. Most women underestimate how many valuable, versatile skills they already have.

Let’s say you’re a teacher moving into corporate learning & development. Or a journalist pivoting to content marketing. The surface-level work is different—but skills like communication, project management, empathy, and audience understanding are entirely transferable.

🛠 Think about your:

• Core strengths (problem-solving, leadership, systems thinking)

• Soft skills (collaboration, adaptability, communication)

• Functional skills (tools, workflows, research methods)

Then, learn to translate them into the language of your new target role. This is where a little LinkedIn sleuthing or chatting with someone in your dream role comes in handy.

Step 3: Start Telling a New Story

Career pivots are less about “fixing your resume” and more about learning how to reframe your story. Hiring managers don’t need to see a perfect match—they want to understand your why, your how, and your value.

📣 Practice your pitch: “I’ve spent the last 5 years in nonprofit development, where I mastered relationship-building, data storytelling, and campaign strategy. I’m excited to bring that experience into a product marketing role at a mission-driven tech company.”

Keep it short, confident, and forward-looking.

Step 4: Talk to People Before You Apply

Before you send dozens of resumes, start with conversations. Informational interviews are your superpower. They’ll give you:

• Insider language you can mirror in your materials

• Honest feedback about the role/industry

• Potential referrals (yep, warm intros matter!)

🔑 Tip: Don’t just ask for a job. Ask for advice, insights, and stories.

Step 5: Fill in the Gaps (Strategically)

If there’s a clear skill you’re missing—like SQL for a data role or Canva for a content job—you don’t have to go back to school. Short online courses, YouTube videos, volunteering, side projects, or shadowing someone internally can go a long way.

Be intentional. Focus on 1–2 key things that will give you confidence and make your pivot more compelling.