Pivot ─ The Only Move That Matters Is Your Next One

Jenny Blake, author of Life After College and former career development program manager at Google, shows you how to successfully move from what's working now to what's next.

Now, more than ever, we are being asked to navigate career changes deftly and frequently. The average employee tenure in America is just four or five years, and even those job roles often change dramatically within that span.

Our economy is now demanding that we create dynamic careers based on creativity, innovation, and serving others. We are being asked to move from careers that used to be based on linear, predictable ladders to trajectories that are now much more fluid and entrepreneurial.

No matter your age, life stage, bank account balance, or career level, you need to be able to pivot into your next opportunity. Whether your perfect-on-paper job has hit a plateau, you're considering taking on a a new role, or moving into a new company, or industry, or even starting or folding your own business, you need to learn how to make Plan B your new Plan A.: one thing remains clear:

Pivoting is a mindset and a skillset, and it is one we can all get better at. Using anecdotes from her own experience and the experiences of other successful professionals, Blake provides a 3-stage process that will teach anyone how to:

‧ Identify your existing strengths, interests and experiences, and defining what success is for you.
‧ Scan the horizon for new opportunities, skill you'd like to develop, and people and opportunities, without falling prey to paralysis by analysis.
‧ Reduce risk by running small job "experiments" that can provide feedback and help determine next steps in your career trajectory.

This book is sure to connect with anyone facing the daunting question of what comes next by providing a methodical plan to move forward, and repeat as many times as necessary. It is also relevant for leaders within organizations who want to engage and retain top talent by helping employees pivot internally, before seeking outside opportunities.

Jenny Blake is a career and business strategist and international speaker who helps people move beyond burnout and create sustainable careers they love. She left her job in career development at Google in 2011 after five and a half years at the company to launch her first book, Life After College, and has since run her own consulting business in New York City.