How to know when it is time to pivot
Lately, I’ve been hearing from many of you that you’re considering a pivot in your career, and wondering how to go about it with clarity and confidence.
For some, the pivot is toward a completely different industry. For others, it’s shifting roles within the same space, or stepping away from corporate life to launch a business. I’ve made a few big pivots myself, so this topic really resonates with me, and I want to help you explore whether a pivot is right for you, when to make the leap, and how to do it well.
I’ve made three major career pivots that led me to where I am today. The first was leaving UBS in 2015, where I was working as a private banker, to start a women’s luxury group travel business (pictured below, hosting one of our safari trips). I had no experience in hospitality or entrepreneurship, but I had an idea and saw a gap in the market, so I decided to go for it!
The second was during the sale of that travel company. I pitched myself to a leading resortwear brand for a COO role that didn’t even exist. A week later, I was working there.
And the third was leaving that role, three years in, when I knew I’d taken it as far as I wanted to go to launch my second entrepreneurial venture, Peer Suite.
My pivots were not perfectly planned, but I did carefully think about each of them to assess whether it was the right time and if I was prepared for these big changes.
So, how do you know when it’s time to pivot, and how do you make it happen?
Let’s start with some questions to help you assess where you are.
When is it the right time to pivot:
There’s rarely a perfect time to make a career move. In fact, each of my pivots happened when it didn’t make sense on paper.
When I left banking, I was at a career high. I’d brought in the most new business that year and had just been promoted to Executive Director on the path to MD. But I couldn’t ignore the feeling that I was ready for something completely different.
Here are a few questions to ask yourself:
- Why do I want to make a change? Is it burnout? A lack of growth? A desire for more freedom or purpose? Or am I simply ready for a new challenge?
- What does success look like for me now? Has this changed since I started my career? Do I still want the same things I used to?
- What does ‘wealth’ mean to me? Is it money, time, freedom, impact, or a mix of all four?
- How do I want to feel day to day? Energised? Creative? In control? Respected?
- Where do I want to live and work? Do I want more flexibility? A change of pace? To live abroad or work remotely?
The goal isn’t to be 100% sure on all of these things, but it's important to get clear enough to take the next step, and the right step.
How to prepare for a pivot:
Whether you’re stepping into a new role, switching industries, or starting something on your own, here are some practical things you can do to set yourself up for a smoother transition:
- Polish your CV and LinkedIn profile. Focus on results and transferable skills. Be specific: what did you achieve, how, and what changed because of it? Use data where you can.
- Clarify your narrative. Why are you pivoting? What are you moving towards, and what strengths from your past roles support this? People connect with a clear story.
- Reconnect with your network. Nurture internal relationships before you leave a company. You never know where your contacts will land. Reach out to old colleagues and let them know what you're exploring.
- Talk to someone who’s done it. I spoke to clients and friends working in different industries to help clarify what I wanted next. Ask them what helped, what was hardest, and what they would do differently.
- Build a support system. This could be mentors, coaches, communities (like Peer Suite!), or even friends who keep you grounded and honest. Don’t try to do it alone.
- Review your finances. This is especially important if you're leaving a salaried role. What do your savings look like? Can you cover 6 to 12 months of expenses? Can you cut back temporarily? If you’re launching a business, when do you expect to earn your first income?
- Test the waters. If you're unsure, pilot your next step. Start a side project. Take a course. Freelance. Speak to people in the field. It’s easier to commit when you’ve had a taste of what’s to come.
Are you in the middle of a pivot or thinking about one? I’d love to hear what’s on your mind. Hit reply and tell me what you’re exploring.
Stay tuned for more on this topic soon. I’m working on something inside the Peer Suite community to support women navigating career change with clarity and confidence. 👀
