With such global uncertainty, big skills gaps and longer working lives, more people are pivoting careers. INTOO research shows 41% have switched direction and 35% lack a defined path. Owen Morgan explains how upskilling, coaching and outplacement support boost satisfaction, resilience and business performance, as multi-career journeys become the norm.

When faced with role dissatisfaction including feelings of burnout, stagnation and a lack of fulfilment, some workers may feel it’s time for a career pivot. According to INTOO UK & Ireland’s Future World of Work Research, 41% of people have taken a career pivot in the last 36 months while 35% have no planned career path at all.

It is more important than ever that employees are resilient and adaptable

Adding to that, data from The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) reports that three in ten UK employees leave their workplace to join another organisation each year. Linear career paths and fears of career gaps are long becoming outdated notions. As the working world has evolved, so have workplace attitudes. The UK labour market continues to face skills shortages, rapid digitalisation, automation and increased labour costs, so it is more important than ever that employees are resilient and adaptable.

Pivot in uncertainty

Owen Morgan, the Managing Director of INTOO UK & Ireland, career transition and outplacement specialists, says that career pivots offer a loaded opportunity for change and progression: “It’s unsurprising that over a third of people have experienced a career pivot when the working world remains so uncertain. With longer lifespans predicted, it’s unrealistic to expect people to pick a career path and stick to it until retirement. Instead, what you find is a lot of people ready for a new challenge and feeling unfulfilled after several years in a role.”

Owen continued, “Gone are the days where employees would start their career and end it with the same company. People are looking for more variety, progression and fulfilment from their careers. Our data also shows that 35% of people don’t have a planned career path, which again reflects the changing employment landscape and emphasises the importance of upskilling and training, across all industries.”

Latest data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) has predicted that boys born in the UK in 2023 can expect to live, on average, to the age of 86.7 years and girls to the age of 90 years. It also states that cohort life expectancy at birth in the UK is projected to achieve an increase of 2.6 years and 2.2 years respectively in 2027, from 2023 levels. Owen commented that “As the average life expectancy climbs, so too does the average working life – especially with the current economic pressures. So that feeling of ‘career freshness’ is vital to keeping people engaged and motivated.”

Job satisfaction and more

Owen added: “A career pivot increases job satisfaction, boosts a positive work-life balance increases earning potential and creates a stronger professional network. Career pivots are becoming a key driver for business success as it brings a new cohort of ambitious, driven, skilled and motivated individuals. Change demands resilience and adaptability for success, key skills that are required across the working world. We’re entering a new chapter for employment which is focused more on the skillset individuals are able to bring to a team. It could well be that soon we talk about what our second, third, fourth or even fifth career is as a standard and widespread way of life.”

INTOO UK & Ireland supports global businesses through workforce change, helping them deliver redundancy processes that are fair, culturally appropriate and genuinely supportive of every individual impacted. Businesses looking to support employees with career transitions can provide career coaching, financial advice or outplacement support. Owen explained: “Outplacement specialists can assist with everything from CV building and academic portfolio development to LinkedIn and online presence guidance and job search assistance. A pivot can be a daunting, and possibly involuntary outcome, but through upskilling and training, this approach presents a number of new opportunities.”

Owen Morgan is Managing Director of INTOO UK & Ireland