Pivoting careers is never easy. It’s a process that requires re-branding yourself, learning new skills, and often convincing hiring managers that your experience is transferable. Doing all of that while unemployed? That’s a whole different challenge—and one that many professionals, myself included, are facing right now.
The Stigma of Extended Unemployment
No matter how much we talk about breaking the stigma of gaps on a résumé, the reality is that being out of work for an extended period does raise questions in the eyes of employers. Algorithms in applicant tracking systems often filter out resumes with career breaks, and even when you do get in front of a recruiter, there’s sometimes an unspoken bias: “Why hasn’t anyone else hired you yet?”
This can make it even harder to pivot into a new career direction, where you’re not only battling the unemployment bias but also trying to prove you belong in a new function or industry.
The Hard Truth: Sometimes You Have to Step Back to Move Forward
One of the cold realities of job searching after a long unemployment stretch is that you may need to accept a step back—whether in title, pay, or both—to land your next opportunity.
That doesn’t mean you’ve failed. In fact, it can be a strategic choice. Sometimes a lateral or downward move is exactly what you need to:
- Rebuild momentum in your career.
- Gain exposure to a new industry or skill set.
- Prove your adaptability and resilience.
Think of it less as a setback and more as a reset button—an intentional move to get yourself back in the game.
Why Networking Beats Applying in Today’s Market
The job market is more oversaturated than ever. Hundreds of qualified candidates apply for a single opening, and most never hear back. Submitting applications into the void isn’t a strategy—it’s a drain on your energy and confidence.
Networking, on the other hand, changes the game. Conversations open doors that applications can’t. Whether it’s a coffee chat, an informational interview, or a simple message on LinkedIn, relationships are where opportunities live. As the saying goes: people hire people, not résumés.
Some of the most effective networking tactics I’ve seen include:
- Reconnecting with former colleagues who know your value.
- Reaching out to people in your target industry to learn (not just to ask for a job).
- Participating in professional groups, associations, or virtual meetups.
- Contributing publicly—sharing insights, writing posts, or commenting thoughtfully—so your expertise stays visible.
Shifting the Mindset
The hardest part about this process isn’t the applications, the rejections, or even the interviews. It’s the mindset shift. Accepting that your next step may not be a perfect upward trajectory can sting. But when you reframe it as a strategic career pivot rather than a failure, the path forward becomes clearer.
Resilience, humility, and adaptability are not just buzzwords—they’re survival skills in today’s market. And they’re also the very qualities that make you an asset to future employers.
A Call to Those in the Same Boat
If you’re navigating unemployment while trying to pivot careers, know this: you’re not alone. Many talented professionals are walking this road right now. The oversaturated market doesn’t diminish your skills, your experience, or your worth.
What it does mean is that strategy matters more than ever. Be open to redefining success, willing to take a step back if it sets you up for future growth, and bold enough to lean on your network instead of going it alone.
Because sometimes the most important part of a pivot isn’t the direction of the move—it’s the fact that you keep moving.
Angela Malagon 