How to Make a Successful Career Pivot

Key takeaways

As workplace priorities and expectations change, people are pivoting their careers for more flexibility, compensation, and job satisfaction.

• According to 2024 findings, 56 percent of workers who planned to change their jobs cited low pay as their primary reason [1]

• A reported 69 percent of US workers considered a career pivot in 2025, seeking better pay, job satisfaction, and supportive management [2]

• You can pivot your career by assessing your strengths, researching opportunities, listing non‑negotiables, and networking to find roles that better fit your needs.

Explore common reasons for a career pivot and steps you can take to pivot yours. Then, to enhance your career at any stage, the Google Project Management Professional Certificate can help you build job‑ready project management skills while gaining confidence to lead teams and drive results. It will guide you through practical strategies, from planning and organizing projects to communicating effectively, so you can position yourself for new career opportunities. 

Common reasons for a career pivot

People make a career pivot for different reasons. Motivating factors can vary, and in some cases, more than one factor is at play. Common reasons for a career pivot include:

Improved salary

According to research by ResumeBuilder.com, pay is among the biggest reasons people leave their jobs. A 2024 survey revealed that 56 percent of workers planning to change their job cited low pay as their primary reason, with poor benefits and stressful work environments also contributing factors [1]. Whether you're looking to increase your salary to cover expenses, support your family, or combat rising inflation rates, making a career pivot to bring in additional income is common.

Enhance career satisfaction

Research shows just 31 percent of the US workforce is engaged or enthusiastic about their current job and workload, according to Gallup, a company that tracks employee engagement across thousands of organizations regularly [3]. If you're disengaged at work or unsatisfied, a career pivot might be in order. 

Better management

Sometimes, it's poor management that pushes employees to make a change. Maybe you feel you're not recognized for your work, or leaders are disrespectful or non-inclusive, engage in or ignore backstabbing behavior, or aren't truthful. All of these behaviors can push employees to look for new opportunities elsewhere.

Read more: Why Do Managers Need Coaching Skills?

Schedule flexibility

The pandemic forced companies to experiment with flexible schedules, and now, many employees like working from home. Whether you're looking for a remote job where you work from home entirely or a job with a hybrid schedule (both in and out of the office), the need for flexibility can spark a career pivot.

How common are career pivots?

Career pivots are increasingly prevalent in today’s workforce. According to FlexJobs' 2025 Career Change Survey, 69 percent of American workers have either changed careers or thought about doing so in the previous year. Higher compensation, more fulfilling work, and a better work-life balance are among the motivating factors [2]. These results demonstrate how career pivots have become a common reaction to shifting expectations at work.

Steps for making a career pivot

If you're interested in pivoting to a new position, your first instinct may be to search for jobs online. While that is part of the process, try to self-assess your interests first to evaluate your desired job. From there, you'll research and list the criteria a job must have to meet your needs. As you look into new opportunities, you'll weigh their educational requirements and how that might impact your life. When you're ready to move forward, you can network with colleagues, finesse your cover letter and resume, and start the application process.

Let's take a look at each step in more detail.

1. Weigh your strengths and skills.

Before you make any decisions, start by assessing your current situation. Think about things you like about your job and those you don't. Consider your skills, strengths, and interests. To help, ask yourself these questions:

• What would help you get out of bed, eager to go to work? 

• What tasks do you like and wish you had more of? 

• How does salary fit into your overall needs? 

• What kind of work environment are you looking for? 

• Is there a certain management style that you'd like to find?

By working through these questions and assessing what you'd like to change, you can start to navigate your next move. 

2. Research new opportunities or internal transfers.

With a complete self-assessment, you can start researching jobs that fit your needs. 

Research new opportunities

If you're ready to find a job outside your current workplace, research online. Search career titles, roles, and salary expectations on job sites like Glassdoor, Indeed, and LinkedIn. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics also has an Occupational Outlook Handbook that could be helpful. Get a sense of the new job you'd like to have and the industries or companies that offer it.

Beyond online resources, consider:

• Speaking with colleagues who are in a role that interests you 

• Attending conferences and workshops

• Reading industry news and publications to understand new trends and responsibilities

• Connecting with alumni

Consider an internal transfer

You might be able to pivot your career within the same company. Begin a conversation with your manager or a member of the human resources team to find out about new opportunities that align with your skills and interests. If a new job isn't available, talk about redefining your current role to include more of the daily activities that you enjoy.

By transferring internally, you might be able to keep your seniority and salary in place and eliminate the need to find and interview for a new job at a new company. While this might not be a viable option for everyone, it's typically more beneficial for companies to retain employees than to hire new ones, so leadership may be open to your suggestions.

3. List your criteria.

Before moving toward any opportunity, be it a new job or an internal transfer, list your must-haves. Think of this list as your non-negotiables. If, for example, you need a 5 percent bump in salary and a hybrid work schedule, list them. If you'd like to exclude working in certain industries or for companies that are too far from your home, list them. Know what you want before applying for anything. 

4. Consider additional education or training.

During your research, you may find that you need to obtain additional skills to make a career move. Since career pivots are less drastic than career changes, you probably won't need to earn a new degree, but online certifications or boot camps could help you earn new skills. 

5. Network.

While you should search job boards for new opportunities, you can also source possible jobs from people you know. During your research phase, you likely reached out to people in your network. When you're ready to make a move, reach back out and inquire about open positions within their company. In addition, try:

• Updating your LinkedIn profile

• Attending speaking events and introducing yourself to the speaker

• Getting involved in your community or industry and connecting with thought leaders

• Joining industry-specific groups or organizations

6. Apply for new jobs.

When you're ready, look and apply for new jobs that fit your criteria. When you apply, remember to:

• Submit a tailored cover letter for each application that aligns with the job description.

• Follow all of the application instructions.

• Use a professional name and email address.

• Clean up your social media profiles.

• Check your resume and cover letter for errors.

• Keep track of the jobs you've applied for.

Discover more through our free resources

If you’re considering a career in human resources or another area, subscribe to our LinkedIn newsletter, Career Chat, to learn more about trending topics across industries. Or, explore free digital resources to guide you on your journey.

• Upskilling unpacked newsletter: How to Upskill for Professional Growth

• Watch on YouTube: Career Counseling: The Human Side of the Future of Work

• Take a career quiz: Career Test: What Career is Right for Me Quiz?

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