How To Know If You Need a Career Pivot… Or A New Role

Are you wondering if it’s time to make a complete career pivot or switch roles? In Episode 57 of The Fulfilling Career Podcast, I explain how to know if you need a full career pivot or if it’s just time for a new role.

Career Pivot vs. New Role: What’s the Difference?

A career pivot involves a significant change in your career path, including changing industries, fields, and roles. On the other hand, a new role is a different position within the same field or industry.

When considering your career, it’s essential to think about three key aspects: your actual job role, the company or field you’re in, and the industry you belong to, such as transitioning from being a marketing specialist to a nurse practitioner.

A career pivot typically involves changing all three of these aspects. A new role usually means a step forward, backward, or sideways within the same field or industry, such as transitioning from being a marketing specialist to a marketing manager.

Indicators for a New Role

How do you determine whether you need a new role? Here are some indicators.

1 – You’re not using your skills to their full potential

If you feel undervalued in your current role and believe your skills are not being utilized to their full potential, it may be a sign that you need a new role.

You can tell if this is the situation when you feel like you’re just “coasting” at work or like you can do the job in your sleep. You’re not experiencing any personal or professional growth.

2 – You have no clear pathway to progress

If you’ve been in your current role for a while, have been advancing, and have taken on responsibilities of the next level, but your organization is not allowing you to progress. They are not promoting you or providing compensation increases. And when you have conversations about it, they keep changing the requirements. This is a clear indication that it’s time for a new role.

I’ve shared examples of women who have experienced their organizations continuously moving the goalposts for advancement or bringing in external candidates for higher positions despite their qualifications. In such cases, it may be time to leave and find an organization that values and supports your skills and potential.

3 – You are experiencing relational issues at work

Finally, you know you need a new role if you are experiencing relational issues at work. This could be problems with your manager or team, where relationships have become tense, uncomfortable, and awkward.

If your manager is stifling your growth, sabotaging your opportunities, or displaying toxic behavior, it’s a sign that you need to find a new role. Similarly, if you’re facing issues with colleagues, such as microaggressions or backbiting, and your boundaries are being violated, it’s time to consider a change.

Indicators for a Career Pivot

How do you determine whether you need to pivot in your career? Here are two main indicators.

1 – You constantly feel drained and unfulfilled at work.

If you find yourself just going through the motions and lacking excitement in your work, that’s a sign that it’s time for a complete pivot, especially if you have changed jobs a few times and are still unhappy.

Doing work that is unaligned with who you are will result in a lack of energy and dissatisfaction. And because we spend so much time at work, this feeling may even extend to your personal life as you struggle to find the energy to spend time with loved ones.

2 – Your career path no longer aligns with your values.

Over time, as you grow and evolve, your values change, but your job or work environment often remains stagnant. But fear and lack of clarity probably keep you stuck in that job and prevent you from honoring your evolution.

So, ultimately, you end up in a misaligned role. This misalignment can lead to physical and mental health issues, such as stress, hair loss, weight gain or loss, depression, and anxiety.

Once your job behind impacting your health and the work you’re doing isn’t aligned with who you are, that’s a sign that it’s time for a career pivot.

Addressing the Need for a Career Pivot

If you realize that you need a career pivot, it’s essential to gain clarity. Trying to pivot without clarity will lead you to cycles of bad job after bad job. Getting clarity involves identifying your non-negotiable values, your zone of genius, and your high-power skills. By clarifying these aspects, you can explore other career paths that are more aligned with who you are.

Overcoming Fear and Making a Career Change

Fear is a natural emotion but should not dictate our decisions. Fear will often rear its ugly head when considering either a career pivot or a role change. Instead of letting fear control you, move forward with faith and trust that God has not given you a spirit of fear.

Be honest with yourself when assessing your needs. If you enjoy the work tasks but face other challenges, such as low pay or a difficult work environment, you may need a new role within the same industry.

However, it may be time for a complete career pivot if you don’t enjoy the work tasks themselves.

Conclusion

In conclusion, clarity, honesty, and faith are crucial when considering a career change. You can find a fulfilling career by aligning your values, interests, and skills.

If you need further guidance, I invite you to join my program, Find Your Fulfilling Career (formerly Job Search SIMPLIFIED). I guide you toward clarifying career goals, creating effective resumes and cover letters, mastering interviews, and negotiating job offers.