How to navigate a career pivot with clarity and confidence

Career pivots are rarely linear. Whether driven by changing priorities, burnout or a desire for more meaningful work, shifting direction often requires more than a new resume or skill set.

To help readers navigate these transitions thoughtfully, we spoke with three experts who approach career pivots from different but complementary angles: mindset, financial planning and the hiring perspective. Together, their insights offer a grounded, practical guide to making intentional career changes with confidence.

With years of experience building businesses and intentionally pivoting her own career, Meghan Telpner, Fashion Communications ’03, shares the mindset shifts needed to navigate career pivots with clarity, courage and confidence.

A career shaped by change

Telpner’s career path has been intentionally non-linear. After graduating from TMU’s School of Fashion, she worked in corporate advertising before a health challenge in her mid-20s prompted her to step away and reassess. During that time, she discovered natural health and nutrition, a shift that led to the creation of the Academy of Culinary Nutrition, which she grew over 15 years from a small, kitchen-table class into a global education business.

Years later, despite professional success, Telpner felt her priorities shifting. She chose to scale down the business to reclaim time, creative space and flexibility, a decision she views not as failure, but as transformation. She now hosts The Courageous Pivot (external link, opens in new window)  podcast, which explores navigating fear, trusting intuition and redefining success during periods of change.

Letting go of certainty

One of the most important mindset shifts when considering a career pivot, Telpner says, is releasing the need to have everything figured out before beginning. While it is possible to know what you are leaving behind, she notes that you cannot fully predict what you will gain. Learning to trust that uncertainty is part of the process.

She also challenges the assumption that staying put is the safer option. Many people, she observes, remain in familiar situations long after they stop serving them simply because they are known.

Navigating fear and identity shifts

Telpner identifies sunk costs and identity attachment as common internal barriers. Time invested in a previous career is not wasted, she says, but often prepares you for what comes next. Letting go can involve grief, particularly when a professional identity has been built over many years, but that process can also support deeper alignment with who you are now.

Small practices that support clarity

Rather than dramatic change, Telpner encourages small, intentional shifts in daily life. Practices such as journaling, creating quiet space for reflection and simple breathing exercises can help regulate the nervous system and build clarity over time. She also emphasizes curiosity, a willingness to be a beginner, and surrounding yourself with people who can support growth without trying to keep you comfortable.

After successfully navigating her own career pivots, Danica Nelson, Radio and Television Arts ’14, now helps professionals plan financially for career breaks and career pivots, offering strategies to manage risk, maintain stability and make intentional transitions without unnecessary stress.

Planning with intention

Nelson’s career path has been shaped by both ambition and financial awareness. After graduating from TMU, she balanced multiple jobs and side hustles while building a career in senior marketing roles within telecommunications. Early professional success came with long hours and mounting pressure, and a period of burnout prompted her to reassess how she approached work and money.

That reflection led her to make more intentional financial decisions, including planning for career transitions with greater clarity and confidence. The experience ultimately inspired her to create Liberty Leave™ (external link, opens in new window) , a platform that helps professionals plan career breaks and pivots thoughtfully and without financial stress.

Understanding the financial realities of a pivot

One of the first steps, Nelson says, is researching the potential income difference between a current role and a new one. Career pivots often involve a temporary dip in earnings, so it’s important to understand what the new financial reality might look like. Online resources, informational interviews and professional networks can provide realistic insights before committing to a change.

She also emphasizes accounting for the cost of building new skills. Many pivots require courses, certifications or upskilling, and planning for these expenses ahead of time can help prevent financial surprises later.

Maintaining stability while navigating change

Creating a dedicated transition fund to cover living expenses during a pivot is key. Reducing fixed costs and keeping savings accessible can provide flexibility and peace of mind. Nelson also notes that working with a financial planner can help validate assumptions and identify gaps in a plan.

Tracking expenses, pausing non-essential spending and considering temporary income sources, such as side projects or part-time consulting, can help stabilize cash flow. The focus is on using existing resources effectively while limiting unnecessary risk.

Tools and habits for financial confidence

Nelson emphasizes that the best financial system is the one you will actually use. Traditional budgets, zero-based budgeting or apps such as YNAB and Lunch Money can all be effective. Separating accounts for fixed and variable expenses, and setting up sinking funds and reviewing finances regularly can help catch issues early.

She also stresses that financial plans should remain flexible. Adjusting timelines or contributions during a pivot is part of intentional planning, and short-term compromises do not undermine long-term goals.

As a senior HR leader and certified career coach, Mike Rudolph, Human Resources Management ’14, offers insight into how hiring managers view career pivots and how candidates can position themselves effectively during a transition.

What hiring managers look for

From an HR perspective, Rudolph says career pivot candidates often stand out when they demonstrate intentionality. Making a deliberate choice to move into a new discipline later in a career signals both commitment and passion. Hiring managers also value the breadth of experience pivot candidates bring, as it often translates into strong judgment and adaptability.

While technical skills matter, Rudolph emphasizes that dedication to the role and clarity around why the pivot makes sense are equally important.

Highlighting transferable skills

When moving into a new role or industry, Rudolph advises focusing on competencies rather than job titles. Reviewing job postings to identify the skills, knowledge and behaviours an organization is seeking can help candidates better align their experience.

Using the same language found in job postings and supporting claims with clear examples and measurable results can strengthen a resume and make transferable skills more visible to recruiters.

Addressing gaps and building credibility

Career breaks and unconventional paths are increasingly common, Rudolph notes, but clarity is essential. Resumes should tell a clear story, making it easy for the reader to understand how past experience connects to the role being pursued.

In interviews, candidates should avoid minimizing their experience. Titles matter less than actions, learning and outcomes. Behavioural interview questions are designed to assess how past experience can be applied in new contexts, and candidates should answer confidently without undercutting themselves.

To build credibility in a new field, Rudolph encourages saying yes to learning opportunities when possible. Volunteering, professional associations, mentorship and project-based work can all provide valuable experience and expand networks, even before securing a formal role.