Career pivoting is a concept that should be embraced, not feared. Even recent college graduates often worry that it’s too late to shift away from their major or internship focus. This concern is even more pronounced among professionals with 5, 10, or 15 years of experience who feel too entrenched to make a change. However, the notion that career pivoting means starting over is a misconception.
Overcoming Apprehensions
It’s completely understandable to feel apprehensive about taking the next steps in your career. Your resume, a condensed version of your professional journey, is often scanned for just a few seconds among hundreds of others. Any deviation from the expected path can seem like a risk to your chances of landing an interview. However, it’s crucial to look beyond these immediate concerns.
Consider these statistics:
– On average, people hold over 12 jobs in their lifetime.
– The typical person changes careers 5-7 times throughout their life.
– 30% of the workforce changes jobs every year.
– 29% of people completely change fields after their first job post-college.
These figures highlight that career changes are not only common but also a natural part of professional growth.
A Metaphor for Career Change
In Dr. Meg Jay’s book, “The Defining Decade,” she uses a powerful metaphor: Your career path is like a plane flying across the United States. A 5% change in direction from New York could mean the difference between landing in San Francisco or Los Angeles. However, if you’re already over Las Vegas, that same change might only take you from LA to Orange County. This illustrates that small adjustments in your career can lead to significant differences in your professional destination, depending on where you are in your journey.
The Importance of Fulfillment
For most of us, work will consume at least a third of our lives. Therefore, it’s essential to ensure that this time is spent on fulfilling work. We encourage everyone, including hiring managers, to keep an open mind toward career pivoters and generalists. These individuals often bring unique skill sets and fresh perspectives to the table.
As AI continues to automate more specialized tasks, the value of a broad range of skills, enhanced problem-solving abilities, and critical reasoning will only increase. Those who can successfully pivot their careers, while continuing to advance in seniority and taking on new responsibilities, will thrive by effectively communicating their diverse skill sets to the world.
Embrace the Change
Career pivoting is not about starting over but about leveraging your existing skills in new and exciting ways. The journey might seem daunting, but with the right mindset and approach, it can lead to a more fulfilling and enriched professional life. Keep an open mind, embrace the changes, and take charge of your career path.
