One week into launching my freelance writing website, I’ve been reflecting on the steps I need to take to transition into this new phase of my career. The past few weeks have been a crash course in both rediscovering old skills and embracing new ones. From setting up my website to navigating analytics and social media tools, it’s been a rewarding (and occasionally overwhelming) journey.

Over the holidays, I did a deep dive into YouTube tutorials, blogs, and guides to hone my skills. I realized that while many of the abilities listed on my resume are foundational, there’s always room to learn and grow. Creating a website on Wix and eventually transferring it to Google Sites reminded me of my earlier days managing websites and social media for five travel ball teams—a role that relied heavily on WordPress, which, thankfully, has become more user-friendly over the years.

Although I now have a basic grasp of tools like Google Analytics, AdSense, Canva, and Adobe, I wouldn’t call myself an expert. However, this process has reminded me of something invaluable: my ability to research, adapt, and figure things out. If a "how-to" video or blog exists, I can learn it.

But here’s where the doubt creeps in. Every job posting I encounter seems to demand expertise in a different software or system, often with acronyms I’ve never heard of. After spending over 20 years as a Senior Litigation Paralegal, I’m no stranger to specialized tools—my firm used Amicus for client management, a separate billing program, and Microsoft Office for the rest. While I haven’t used newer tools like MyCase or Clio, I’ve worked with far less user-friendly software like QuickBooks and Microsoft Access. Having navigated those systems successfully, I’m confident that I can quickly adapt to more intuitive and modern applications.

The challenge is communicating that confidence to potential employers. Most job applications don’t leave room to explain how adaptable and resourceful I am. After all, in my paralegal work, it didn’t matter whether I used LexisNexis or Westlaw for case research—what mattered was delivering accurate, reliable results.

So, what’s my next step? How do I position myself as capable and willing to learn, even if I don’t check every software box in a job description? Do I continue listing “2-5 years of experience” and rely on YouTube tutorials to fill in the gaps, or do I focus on emphasizing my ability to adapt and modify my skills to meet new demands?

This crossroads is both exciting and daunting. As I navigate this shift into a writing-focused career, I’m reminded that growth often requires stepping into the unknown. I’m determined to embrace that uncertainty, lean into my strengths, and trust that with persistence and hard work, I’ll find my way.

If you’re in a similar place—whether pivoting careers, learning new skills, or simply figuring out what’s next—I hope this resonates with you. We may not have all the answers, but we have the determination to find them.

Resources:

Forbes: https://www.forbes.com/sites/cherylrobinson/2024/03/06/how-to-successfully-pivot-careers-in-your-50s-with-confidence/

Harvard Business Review: https://hbr.org/2024/05/you-need-new-skills-to-make-a-career-pivot-heres-how-to-find-the-time-to-build-them

Careershifters: https://www.careershifters.org/expert-advice/how-to-change-career-when-youve-no-idea-what-to-do-next