What to ask yourself before making a career pivot

What is the cost of not taking an opportunity? What would happen if you stayed exactly where you are?

There’s always a friend of a friend, famous among the group for their career pivot. It might be a tradie-turned-fashion-designer, a PR girlie-turned-teacher or even a lawyer-turned-fashion-writer (like FJ’s very own managing editor). Their story is used as an example of someone who did the thing so many have dreamed about: quit their job and followed their passion.

Looking for a new 9 to 5? Head to our Careers page for new listings daily. 

Although career pivots can feel unattainable and intimidating at first glance, career coach Lara Nercessian says it’s a lot more common than you might think. In fact, the average person is estimated to go through three to seven different careers before retiring. Gen Zs, on the other hand, are more likely to experience at least five to seven career changes.

Whether you’re halfway through university and contemplating a course change, or years into a career that no longer fulfils you, there are a few steps to consider before taking the leap. “While there is immense value in having a long-term vision for your career, there is merit in allowing flexibility in our approach,” Lara says. “Often, there are multiple paths to arrive at a certain destination.”

How to tell whether its time for a career change

According to Lara, there are a few key signs to look for if you’re unsure about whether it’s time to take the leap. For one, burnout can be a clear indicator that what you’re doing isn’t sustainable. While tiredness is normal, ongoing exhaustion is not.

Checking in and re-evaluating your long-term career goals is equally important. Your job might have been perfect for one season of your life, but it may no longer be relevant to your long-term interests or objectives.

Another red flag Lara says is misalignment in values. This might be when the industry you’re currently in, or the specific role you’re doing, doesn’t reflect your passions or beliefs.

Equally important is questioning your motivation, as well as the realities of what a career pivot might mean and what it will involve. Lara suggests stopping and interrogating: ‘What is the cost of pursuing this opportunity, whether that’s financial, emotional or time? Is it worth it?’.

Ask yourself: ‘What would I potentially be leaving behind? What would be the cost of me not taking this opportunity? What would happen if I stayed exactly where I am?’.

Do it for the right reasons

Making a career pivot can be a big move, so before packing up shop, Lara’s advice is to pause and reflect whether sure you’re not making the decision too hastily. “A temporary frustration or dissatisfaction with a current employer does not necessarily mean that a career pivot is required,” she says. “When emotions are high, our ability to make logical decisions tends to be low.”

We also tend to fantasise about the grass being greener on the other side. “Conducting research, speaking to other industry professionals and undertaking personal contemplation is key to making aligned longer-term decisions,” she adds. While a high salary will always be tempting, Lara warns against making any big changes purely for money. “[Doing so] is a short-lived strategy and often does not lead to greater levels of fulfilment or satisfaction in work.”

Planning for a pivot

Even if you’ve asked yourself the right questions, questioned your motivations and feel ready to take the leap, it can be hard to know what comes next. Lara’s first step is to write down a list of your skills versus passions.

“On one side of the page, list out a list of all your skills and qualifications. That could be anything, from public speaking or content creation to coding, systems,” she says. “On the other side of the page, list out all the things you are passionate about. This could be interior design, fashion, travel, anything. From there, look for the synergies between where your skills and passions collide.”

Next, ask for feedback. “Send a quick survey to your friends, family and people in your network to ask for their feedback,” she says. ” Where do they see your passions and talents? What do they tend to come to you for advice on?”

Another option is speaking to a careers coach or advisor, who can provide custom, one-on-one advice, tailored to your specific interests. They can help identify your strengths, passions and skills, and suggest a number of pathways to help you get to where you want.

And lastly, consider your long-term vision. “Ask yourself what you would be doing if you had absolutely no limitations? If you could have, do, or be anything, what would that look like? Who would you become?” Lara says. “Journal and contemplate this.”

“Like any change, a career pivot can be scary and bring up all kinds of fears and emotions,” she says. But when done right, you’ll be glad you did. And maybe you’ll become a story, passed around between friends, used to inspire others to do the same.

Find more from Lara here.