Leadership coach Nina Devouge shares her experience of taking a break from work before returning to land a bigger, better role—and how you, too, can pivot your career, whether that’s stepping up into a new position, changing industries, or both
Eight years ago, I made a decision that I feared could derail my career.
I took a six-month break from work to spend time with my toddler, who was about to start nursery. At the time, I felt like I was shooting myself in the foot. I had spent the first ten years of my career learning my craft and applying my experience across industries and countries. I had built the foundations and I was ready to step into a leadership role. Yet, instead of taking that next big step, I chose to step back and take some time off.
I worried that I was giving up my chance to land that role I’d been working towards—specifically in talent acquisition within a high-growth company. I feared that the break would make me less competitive, that I’d lose momentum and that I would struggle to get back on track. Instead, I landed the role I had dreamt of and returned to work with a renewed energy and focus.
Here's how I did it, and how you too can successfully navigate your own career pivot.
1. Leverage your transferable skills
When you're making a career pivot, especially into leadership, one of your greatest assets is your existing skill set. You may worry that moving into a new field or role means starting from scratch, but that’s not the case. Leadership skills such as communication, decision-making, team management and strategic thinking are transferable across industries and roles. Even during my career break, I remained confident that my experience managing teams and projects would be valuable no matter where I ended up.
Tip: Create a list of your top five transferable skills, such as problem-solving, negotiation or project management. Then, match those skills with the needs of your desired leadership role or industry. This will help you see how your experience is relevant and guide you in framing your skills when applying for new opportunities.
2. Reframe your experience for leadership
During my career break, I feared that my time away from the workforce would be viewed as a gap by potential employers. However, I reframed this period as an opportunity for growth and reflection. I addressed that I had taken a break and highlighted how the time off had allowed me to sharpen my vision, re-energise and prepare for the next stage of my career. More importantly, I emphasised the skills I had honed in my previous roles, such as leadership, problem-solving and strategic planning.
For women making a pivot, it’s essential to focus on the leadership capabilities you’ve demonstrated in past roles, regardless of your title. How can you demonstrate your skills in guiding teams, inspiring others and making decisions that drive progress?
Tip: Update your CV and LinkedIn profile to reflect your leadership potential. Incorporate examples that demonstrate how you led projects, managed teams or made decisions that positively impacted your previous organisations.
3. Invest in yourself
Taking ownership of your growth is essential when making a career pivot into leadership. Whether you're returning from a break or shifting industries, you may need to upskill or learn new tools to stay competitive. While I was on my break, I stayed connected to my field by attending webinars, taking online courses and networking. These actions kept me updated on industry trends and ensured that I could hit the ground running when I was ready to return to work.
Tip: Identify areas where you may need to upskill and take proactive steps to bridge the gap. Whether it’s through online courses, certifications or mentorship, investing in yourself will boost your confidence and keep you competitive.
4. Build and harness your network
One of the most valuable assets during my career pivot was my network. Even while on break, I stayed connected with former colleagues, mentors and industry peers. These relationships became crucial when I was ready to re-enter the workforce, as they provided insights into new opportunities and support as I navigated my return to work.
Tip: Don’t wait until you’re actively job hunting to build your network. Reach out to mentors and colleagues, attend industry events and engage in professional networks. Networking can open doors to roles you may not have even known were available.
5. Prioritise the need
Whether you’re pivoting into a leadership role, switching industries, or returning after a career break, it’s important to manage your own expectations and prioritise your needs.
Think about what is most important to you as you make this transition. What is your top priority? Is it a higher salary? Leadership opportunities? Flexibility in working remotely? Vacation time? The answers to these questions will help guide your decision-making.
In my case, after returning from a career break, I had to balance my desire for a leadership role with the need for flexibility in my schedule to be present for my family. I prioritised opportunities that allowed for some level of flexi-working hours whilst ensuring the position aligned with my long-term career goals.
Tip: Before making a career pivot, write down your top two or three priorities—whether they are salary, benefits, flexibility or location. Think about how these factors align with your personal and professional needs, and use them as a framework for evaluating potential opportunities.
Navigating a career pivot may seem daunting, but it's also an opportunity for growth, renewal and fulfilment. The power to shape your career lies in your hands, and the right time to pivot is when you’re ready to embrace the challenge.
Nina Devouge is founder of ELLEUMINATE, a coaching platform for women. Previously a senior HR leader with 20 years experience, she is now a leadership coach on a mission to enable 10 million women to create the career and life they love. She is also the main host of Take Her Lead, a podcast featuring women with stories of grit, determination and resilience.
This story is part of Front & Female’s series She Speaks, through which we aim to drive open, inclusive and unfiltered conversations tackling the sensitive topics that impact women.