Craving a career change is nothing to be ashamed of. Maybe feel a sense of restlessness, a whisper that says “this isn’t it,” or even a loud yell that demands immediate change. You can listen to it, even if you feel like you should be grateful and keep the well paid position you’ve had for years. But how do you move forward when the path isn’t clear—and when the thought of starting over feels overwhelming?
Let’s reframe the career pivot, not as a jump off a cliff, giving up or being ungrateful and unstable, but as a well-mapped exploration. And like any good exploration, it starts not with a resume, but with clarity.
Santosh is pivoting to drive revenue and joy
Take Santosh, a former project manager at a tech company. For years, she was excellent at what she did—coordinating teams, managing tight deadlines, and delivering results. But while her performance reviews sparkled, her enthusiasm dimmed. She described her work as “fine,” but her voice dropped whenever we talked about her day-to-day.
Then came the lightbulb moment. During one of our coaching sessions, Santosh shared how much she loved building things from scratch—especially systems that generate income and excitement. That one insight reframed everything: Santosh didn’t want to manage someone else’s vision; she wanted to create and lead her own.
Most people search job boards. Start here instead.
When the desire to change careers first strikes, most people immediately open LinkedIn, Indeed, or Glassdoor. They scroll endlessly, hoping that something will feel like the answer. But this method is backward.
Job boards are optimized for companies to find specific fits. But if you’re unclear on what you want or what lights you up, those listings won’t give you clarity—they’ll confuse you further. Instead of starting with what the market wants, start with what you want. Before you draft a resume or update your LinkedIn headline, get clear on your direction. It saves months (sometimes years) of wasted energy.
The 3-question clarity framework I use with clients
Here’s a simple framework I use with clients who are navigating a career pivot. It consists of three questions:
- What are you craving? Not just “a new job” or “more money.” What’s the deeper pull? Autonomy? Creativity? Stability? Recognition? Joy? Be honest—even if the answer sounds fuzzy or impractical.
- What energizes you (even if it doesn’t seem profitable yet)? Think beyond skills. What kinds of tasks make you lose track of time? When do you feel most alive?
- What are you done tolerating? This one is just as important. Burnout, toxic management, soul-numbing repetition—it all counts. List what’s non-negotiable moving forward.
These questions are deceptively simple, but answering them with honesty can unlock direction faster than any online assessment or job board ever could.
And why does it never start with a resume
You don’t need a resume when you’re not yet clear on the destination. Writing or updating a resume too early can trick you into optimizing for the wrong direction—often the one you’re trying to leave behind. A resume is a tool. It’s meant to tell a specific story to a specific audience. But if you haven’t figured out the story you want to tell, how could you possibly use this tool correctly? You’ll inevitably default to listing old accomplishments that no longer reflect who you want to become.
Instead, start with clarity. Talk to people doing work that excites you. Journal. Take walks without a podcast. Hire a coach. Go inward before you go outward. Career shifts don’t start with job boards or resumes. They start with a sense of curiosity and a willingness to ask yourself deeper questions.
