Career transitions can feel overwhelming, filled with uncertainty and the fear of making the wrong move. However, as Jenny Blake, author of Pivot: The Only Move That Matters Is Your Next One, explains, career transitions don’t have to be leaps into the unknown—they can be thoughtful, strategic pivots.
Blake’s framework for navigating career changes focuses on leveraging your existing skills, identifying opportunities, and taking small, deliberate steps toward your goals. Here’s how you can apply her insights to embrace career transitions confidently and effectively.
The Pivot Framework: A 4-Step Process
Jenny Blake outlines a simple yet powerful framework for making career transitions. The Pivot process consists of four steps:
1. Plant
Start by grounding yourself in your current situation. Take stock of your skills, experiences, and accomplishments, and assess how they align with your long-term career goals.
How to Apply It:
Make a list of your core strengths and recent achievements.
Identify what aspects of your current role energise you and which ones drain you.
Reflect on where you want to go next—what does your ideal career look like?
Example: If you’re an accountant interested in moving into advisory roles, take stock of your technical expertise, communication skills, and experience working directly with clients.
2. Scan
Explore potential opportunities by researching industries, roles, and organisations that align with your goals. This step is about expanding your horizons without committing to a single path.
How to Apply It:
Network with professionals in your desired field to gain insights.
Attend events, webinars, or workshops to learn about emerging trends.
Research job postings to identify skills or qualifications you may need to acquire.
Example: An accountant considering a move into financial consulting could attend industry conferences or join online communities to connect with consultants and understand the demands of the role.
3. Pilot
Before making a full transition, test the waters with small, low-risk experiments. Pilots allow you to gain firsthand experience and refine your approach based on real-world feedback.
How to Apply It:
Volunteer for a project in your current organisation that aligns with your new direction.
Take on freelance or part-time work in your desired field.
Enroll in a short course or certification program to build relevant skills.
Example: If you want to shift from corporate tax to sustainability consulting, you might start by taking on a project to analyse the environmental impact of corporate tax strategies within your company.
4. Launch
Once you’ve tested your pivot and refined your direction, it’s time to commit. Use what you’ve learned to make a confident, informed career move.
How to Apply It:
Update your CV and LinkedIn profile to reflect your new skills and experiences.
Actively apply for roles that align with your pivot.
Seek mentorship or guidance to navigate the transition smoothly.
Example: After completing a pilot project and gaining certifications, you could start applying for roles as a sustainability advisor within accounting firms or consultancies.
Overcoming Common Fears
Blake acknowledges that fear is a natural part of career transitions, but she offers strategies to address it:
Fear of Failure: Pilots reduce the stakes, allowing you to test your new direction without risking your current position.
Fear of the Unknown: Scanning and networking help you gather information, making the transition feel more manageable.
Fear of Starting Over: Career pivots build on your existing skills and experiences, so you’re not starting from scratch—you’re simply repositioning yourself.
“What’s next is always built from what’s now.” — Jenny Blake
Why Pivoting Works
Blake’s approach to career transitions is particularly effective because it focuses on:
Small, Manageable Steps: Rather than a dramatic leap, the pivot framework encourages gradual progress.
Building on Strengths: By leveraging what you already know, you can transition without feeling unprepared.
Adaptability: The framework allows for flexibility, enabling you to adjust your path as needed.
Final Thoughts
Career transitions can be daunting, but they’re also opportunities for growth and reinvention. By applying Jenny Blake’s Pivot framework, you can make thoughtful, strategic moves that align with your goals and values.
Remember, every successful transition starts with a single step. So, where will your pivot take you next?
What’s one action you can take today to move closer to your ideal career?
