The most commonly asked Q's about Career Pivots
The only move that counts is your next one
Pivoting has become my Plan A (and if not already - I hope at the end of this blog, it's yours too).
Doing one thing now and for the rest of your life is not just unrealistic these days but also bores me just thinking about it.
Change is happening and it's the only constant in life we have for sure.
Technology, different consumer behaviours, more access to information, redundant tasks and offers ... all those aspects impact the way we work and live.
In fact, the word has never changed faster and will change will never be slower.
Just think about it for a second in your personal life:
How have smart phones changed your way of working?
What has the internet done to your way of consuming information?
Where has technology improved your processes, personally or professionally?
This is why today's edition is dedicated to pivoting in your career as it's not just an opportunity we have but a responsibility to stay relevant but also to define and live to our fullest potential.
Instead of giving you a step by step guide, this time we tackle it slightly differently! :)
We have had so many questions on and around this topic in coaching sessions over the last 2 years that I want to reveal so you can learn from this insights and learnings.
If there are questions that are burning for you but haven't been covered, please feel free to send us a message for another Q&A session!
1.) How often do I have to pivot? Like every year?
A. No, not at all!
Pivoting in fact doesn't mean to drastically change what you do. It's more about a change in mindset and becoming more of aware of what works and optimising that.
You can even pivot within your role or your organisation as it is about realising
a) what's working
b) what am I good at
c) what do I want to do next and
d) how can I get there in small steps
The small steps are crucial for your next move. Think about it like test driving your career:
You want to tip toe into something new before fully committing to it.
So how can you gain experience in what you (think you) want to do? Maybe through volunteering, enroling in a new course, getting a coach ..?
2.) How do I know if it's the right time to pivot or too early to change?
A. It's always better when you initiate change as it means you are in control over it and with that, reduce anxiety. However, sometimes you get pivoted through redundancies, restructures, burn outs, performance improvement plans ...
As we are all about taking control over your own career and on our terms, the focus is on how you initiate the pivot and do it successfully:
1.) Recognise what's working (in all aspects of your life) and what you do for the sake of it (or because it's a habit) as too often, we don't take time to step back and reflect, critically ask ourselves these questions as the outcome might be too painful (aka too much hard work to change)
"What am I most excited about in the next year, 2 years, 10 years to come?”
This question is an open end not instigated by anything or anyone else other than you. It's a check in with yourself and take 'inventory' before taking any actions.
2.) Think and see around the corner:
Every industry, sector and profession is impacted by technology and is changing in one or another aspect. Key is to be one step ahead of this and disrupt yourself before you get disrupted.
So make sure you stay on top of the game on what's news by subscribing to newsletters, listening to podcasts, attending events, seminars and workshops ...
As we covered in our last newsletter, we need another 101 days of learning 202 to just keep up.
3.) What are the most common mistakes people make when pivoting?
A. It's a mix of 3 things:
1.) Not knowing and owning their point of difference (how can you do your best work and perform at your highest level if you don't even know what your strengths and weaknesses are and where, with whom and why you get energy vs when you get drained?
2.) Not marketing the strengths and point of difference in the right way
How can you expect someone to realise what you have to offer if you can't articulate it? This is where the marketing part of Personal Branding comes in:
How can you make it clear an compelling for others with decision making power to
a) make them aware of you
b) find you
c) engage with you?
Think both online and offline.
Online:
update your LinkedIn profile and use the platform to its fullest potential
(did you know 87% of all recruiters use LinkedIn?)have a consistent online presence (aka same profile photo and description on all channels, relevant keywords included contact details completed ...)
build and engage with your network
Offline:
update your resume, but think beyond listening education and your roles in chronological order —what are the key skills (also serve as keywords) that are relevant for your next ideal position? (List them on the 1st page)
Especially if you’re switching industries, you’ll need to connect dots for people. Show them why and how your skill set is transferable for what's important for them.
(re)connect and leverage your network. People buy of people they know like and trust. Referrals are an immensely powerful way of getting your foot in the door so start and continue having conversations. It's usually not your first contact that will get you to your next opportunity but their contacts (which are your 2nd and 3rd contacts)
3.) Not seeing it through
Change is hard as it is. Having the best intentions is great. But usually don't get you anywhere as it always seems someone else's agenda comes in between, something 'really' important comes up, the time is not 'right', the money is 'tight' ... whatever excuses there are - I sure heard them. A LOT.
Having worked myself with up to 6 coaches at any given time, I know the power of being
a) asked the right questions
b) held accountable
c) challenged in my thinking process
d) given new perspective
e) exposed to other people's mistakes so I can avoid them and fast track my development
What can you do to pivot and start initiating change on your terms so that you can make an impaCCCt in 2019 and beyond?
If you want to fast track your journey and get results quicker, our 3 or 6 months options might be the right fit!
It's perfect for high performers who know that there is more to their career but don't know what it is and where to start - may it be to step up in corporate or to step out and start their own business!
We help you to clarify the message that's unique to you so you can commercialise your expertise and do it on your terms!