Jun 9, 2026 · 29 min · 8 segments
You have spent years building an exceptional career. You have led teams, driven revenue, navigated change, and delivered results at the highest levels. And now, you are ready for something different…
Michelle MerrittHost
Debra BoggsHost
Deborah, we today are talking about executive pivots and making a career pivot at the senior level.
Maybe they find themselves in a search and they don't want to go back to what they've done before.
But this is an important topic because the search has to be incredibly strategic in this market.
And I think that when we think about a pivot, sometimes it's by choice, sometimes it's by circumstance.
There are people right now who are finding that their whole industries have gone away or have changed to the point that they don't recognize them anymore.
But it is still different for an executive, I would say, to make the change over someone a standard frontline employee deciding to try a new industry.
So what would you say, what makes it fundamentally different as an executive?
Yeah, as an executive, it's different because you're being brought on at a much higher level, a much higher pay scale to drive big results, right? To lead teams, to sit at the table, drive strategy, do these things.
And so you're more of a risky bet for the company because you're not a tried and true, been there, done that candidate who has demonstrated a repeatable success.
And so you have to sell yourself and come into the conversation differently because you're going to have to gain the trust of the organization that, yes, you're ready to step into the seat and drive results immediately.
And I think not only is that the case, but it's a little bit riskier for you, the candidate, right? I mean, you really need to be doing your due diligence and understand the industry that you may be pivoting to.
You know, we say around here all the time that your resume, your interviews, all of that, they're about you, but not for you.
And really being able to relate your story and your expertise to a new industry is a critical component that I think some people miss, especially at the executive level.
Deborah, we today are talking about executive pivots and making a career pivot at the senior level.
Maybe they find themselves in a search and they don't want to go back to what they've done before.
But this is an important topic because the search has to be incredibly strategic in this market.
And I think that when we think about a pivot, sometimes it's by choice, sometimes it's by circumstance.
There are people right now who are finding that their whole industries have gone away or have changed to the point that they don't recognize them anymore.
But it is still different for an executive, I would say, to make the change over someone a standard frontline employee deciding to try a new industry.
So what would you say, what makes it fundamentally different as an executive?
Yeah, as an executive, it's different because you're being brought on at a much higher level, a much higher pay scale to drive big results, right? To lead teams, to sit at the table, drive strategy, do these things.
And so you're more of a risky bet for the company because you're not a tried and true, been there, done that candidate who has demonstrated a repeatable success.
And so you have to sell yourself and come into the conversation differently because you're going to have to gain the trust of the organization that, yes, you're ready to step into the seat and drive results immediately.
And I think not only is that the case, but it's a little bit riskier for you, the candidate, right? I mean, you really need to be doing your due diligence and understand the industry that you may be pivoting to.
You know, we say around here all the time that your resume, your interviews, all of that, they're about you, but not for you.
And really being able to relate your story and your expertise to a new industry is a critical component that I think some people miss, especially at the executive level.
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