How to Pivot Into a New Career in Fashion, Beauty, or Entertainment

Click here or scroll to the bottom of this post to read the FAQ-style summary.

Pivoting careers into the fashion, beauty, lifestyle, or entertainment industries can be both exciting and intimidating. If you’ve ever thought, “I have the passion but not the right background,” this post is for you.

Here’s the truth: You probably already have more relevant experience than you think—you just need to reframe it for your target industry.

Reframe Your Past Experience

Even if you’re coming from another field, your previous roles gave you skills that are transferable—project management, marketing, content creation, communication, and leadership.

Example: I transitioned from fashion PR to traditional marketing using experience from my side hustles, where I ran digital media, production, and design solo.

Be Realistic, but Dream Big

Some pivots are more natural than others. Shifting from healthcare marketing to fashion marketing is realistic due to the overlapping skills required. Jumping from retail to PR? Doable, but it may require starting in an entry-level role, like a showroom coordinator or executive assistant in a PR agency.

Pro Tip: Apply to smaller companies where the competition is lighter and there’s more flexibility to learn on the job.

Research Your Target Role Like a Pro

Once you’ve chosen a direction, dive deep:

• Study job descriptions on LinkedIn

• Use word cloud generators to identify in-demand skills

• Explore career paths of people in your dream role

• Research salary expectations to align with your goals

Talk to connections already in the industry and ask questions. The more informed you are, the more confidently you can position yourself.

Identify and Match Key Skills

Use what you learned to build your new narrative:

• Match your current experience with keywords from job postings

• Recognize your project management, team leadership, or branding experience

• Identify new platforms (like Asana or Canva) and compare them to tools you’ve already used

Fill the Gaps with Courses and Certifications

If you’re missing technical knowledge (Excel, Google Analytics, fashion-specific software), take LinkedIn Learning or short-term courses to upskill quickly.

Even listing “Currently completing XYZ course” shows initiative.

Rework Your Resume for the Pivot

Start with a compelling personal statement that explains your intentional career change and how your past experience translates into the new role.

Reorder your resume:

1. Key Skills – pulled directly from job descriptions

2. Relevant Experience – quantifiable wins, even from other industries

3. Certifications & Education – include courses in progress

Highlight Only What Matters

You don’t need to list every job you've held. Focus on:

• Achievements that align with the new role

• Transferable results like “boosted email click-through rate by 25%”

• Experiences that showcase leadership, creativity, or strategy

Final Thought: You’re Closer Than You Think

Career pivots aren’t about starting over—they’re about positioning yourself strategically. Focus on your transferable skills, research the industry inside and out, and craft a resume that connects the dots for hiring managers.

You’ve got the passion. Let’s make sure your story reflects your potential.

Need help reframing your resume for the fashion, beauty, or creative world? Book 1:1 coaching here.

Career Pivot FAQs: How to Make the Move Successfully

How do I pivot into a new career without starting over?

You don’t have to start from zero. Focus on the skills and experiences you already have that transfer to the new field, and frame them in a way that connects to what hiring managers in that industry care about.

What if my experience doesn’t seem relevant?

Look deeper. Many soft skills, like communication, problem solving, and leadership, are valuable across industries. Highlight these and draw a clear line between what you’ve done and what you want to do next.

How can I make my resume work for a new career path?

Tailor your resume to the role you’re aiming for. Lead with a summary that connects your background to your new direction, and organize your experience around achievements that show you can learn, adapt, and add value.

Do I need to take classes or get a new degree to pivot careers?

Not always. While certain fields require certifications or technical skills, often you can start with what you know, build your network, and learn on the job. Short courses and projects can help fill specific skill gaps.

How do I explain a career pivot in an interview?

Be honest and confident about why you’re making the change. Share what you’ve learned from your past experience, how it’s prepared you for this move, and why this new direction excites you.