How Top Performers Rebrand Themselves to Pivot Careers
Overcome Imposter Syndrome and Get the Career You Actually Want
“I’ve already spent 10+ years in finance. No way someone in the fashion industry would hire me.”
As a career coach in Singapore, I hear this a lot.
Not just from finance professionals—but from marketers wanting to become therapists, lawyers dreaming of interior design, engineers thinking about going into social impact.
And the fear behind that sentence is always the same:
If I switch now, I’ll lose everything I’ve built.
That’s where imposter syndrome creeps in. The voice that tells you you’re being ridiculous. That you’ll have to start at the bottom. That people will think you're delusional. I know that voice well—because I’ve said that to myself before too.
But what if I told you… you don’t need to start over? All you need to learn is how to repackage yourself.
The Fear Isn’t About Skills—It’s About Identity
When you’ve built a decade-long career in a field like finance, it becomes more than just a job. It becomes how you introduce yourself. How you prove your worth. How your parents brag about you during Chinese New Year.
So the idea of making a career change in Singapore?
Even if you’re deeply unfulfilled—it feels like betrayal.
I get it.
When I left Wall Street to join a fashion startup I had to confront this deep, uncomfortable question:
Who am I, if I’m no longer ‘Jennifer from Blackrock’?
When I did my interview with MoneyAbroad back in March 2024, I talked about this exact fear.
And again I felt that imposter syndrome when I was building my career coaching business Ctrl Alt Career. There were days I questioned who I am to give anyone any career advice, I’ve never studied to be a therapist or coach.
But I also shared how I overcame my imposter syndrome.
TL;DR?
(1) I took action—even when I didn’t feel ready—because practice really does build confidence.
(2) I reframed the fear as a signal: it wasn’t a sign I was failing, but a sign I was levelling up. Growing into my 2.0.
Why Imposter Syndrome Hits So Hard During a Career Switch
Let’s be real: switching careers is hard.
You might think:
“I’m too old to start again.”
“Why would anyone take me seriously with no experience?”
“People in that industry have a real passion—I just think I might like it.”
But here’s a reality check:
If you had the chance to hire Elon Musk for your startup, would you turn him down because he hasn’t worked in your industry before?
Of course not.
Because we hire people based on what they bring to the table, not where they’ve sat before.
One of the hardest parts of a career change has nothing to do with your CV. It isn’t your skillset or your experience too. It’s emotional. It’s your ego. It’s the internal grief of letting go of the version of yourself that brought you success, status, and validation — the title you introduced yourself with, the job your parents proudly shared with their friends, the identity that made you feel competent and in control.
And yet, at the same time, you haven’t fully stepped into your new identity. You’re still figuring it out. You’re not quite sure how to talk about it, own it, or even believe in it yet. That in-between space — where you’ve outgrown the old but haven’t fully grown into the new — is where imposter syndrome thrives.
Now the question is: how do you show the world who that version is becoming? Let’s talk about how to rebrand yourself for the career you actually want.
Step 1: Reframe Your Story for a Career Change
Career coach tip: You’re not switching industries.
You’re solving different problems using the same strengths.
Let’s go back to that finance-to-fashion example.
You might think they’re worlds apart. But consider:
Finance teaches you how to analyse trends, anticipate risk, and communicate clearly with stakeholders.
Fashion brands need people who can read the market, build strategy, and communicate with consumers and investors.
The foundation is already there.
You’re just applying it in a new direction.
Start reframing your story like this:
“I spent the past 10 years in finance learning how to spot patterns, understand consumer behaviour, and manage high-stakes negotiations. I’m excited to bring that expertise into the fashion space, where I can blend analytical rigour with a growing passion for product innovation and customer experience.”
You see the difference?
You’re not begging for a chance—you’re offering a solution.
Book a Free Career Guidance Call in Singapore
At Ctrl Alt Career, we support high-achieving professionals who are navigating career stories, identity shifts, and big transitions. You don’t need a five-year plan. You don’t need to have all the answers. You just need to take the next step and we can help you figure out what that is.
👉 Book your free clarity call now
Step 2: Show your passion
People are willing to take a chance on people who are truly passionate. You’d be surprised at how many times I was hired (or I hired candidates) purely because of soft skills and passion (hard skills can always be taught, soft skills and passion are impossible to teach — you either have it or you don’t)
Step 3: Rebrand Your LinkedIn for a Career Pivot (Even With No Experience)
Let’s get tactical.
If your LinkedIn screams “finance finance finance” and nothing else, of course a hiring manager in fashion isn’t going to give it a second look.
Here’s what you need to do:
✅ Update Your Headline
Bad: “Senior Finance Manager at BigBank SG”
Better: “Senior Finance Manager at BigBank SG | Passionate about Sustainable Fashion
✅ Rewrite Your Summary
Talk about why you want to pivot into this industry.
What draws you to this new space?
✅ Build Content Credibility
Start writing posts about trends in the new industry. Share insights. Comment on others’ work.
You’d be surprised how quickly people start to see you as an expert.
✅ Showcase Your Side Hustles
If you’ve been doing freelance styling gigs, running a small fashion page, or even writing about fashion trends—add it to your LinkedIn profile. These passion projects might not be your full-time job, but they show proof of action, curiosity, and commitment. It helps hiring managers see your interest in fashion and that you have some experience within the industry.
Step 3: Don’t Just Rewrite Your Resume—Reposition It
We cover this in detail during my free 90-minute masterclass, but here’s the gist:
You don’t need to start from the bottom. Instead, test-drive the career you want by building a small portfolio around it — and then reposition your resume to reflect that narrative.
This might mean:
Turning your volunteer project into a case study that demonstrates leadership in your new industry
Reframing an internal company initiative as proof of your ability to pivot into strategy, design, or content
Showcasing real results from freelance, community, or side projects that align with your next role
Same experience.
Different positioning.
Your resume shouldn’t just show what you’ve done—it should hint at what you’re capable of doing next.
Step 4: You Don’t Need Permission to Be Taken Seriously
Here’s the hardest truth:
You’re not waiting for someone to say “Yes, you belong here.”
You’re the one who has to decide you do.
And when you do—when you repackage yourself with clarity, intention, and self-respect—other people will follow.
Career change doesn’t require you to start over. It requires you to own your narrative.
So the next time imposter syndrome tells you you’re not qualified…
Remember: confidence is built from doing.
Real People, Real Pivot: How Career Coaching Singapore Helped My Client Rebrand Herself from Healthcare to Journalism
Before you even start tweaking your LinkedIn headline or rewriting your resume, there’s a deeper, scarier question you need to answer:
What exactly are you pivoting into—and why?
Take Izza, one of our coaching clients.
When she first came to us, she worked in HR within the healthcare space. But what she really wanted—though she barely admitted it to herself—was to write. To be a journalist. To tell stories that mattered.
Today, she's doing exactly that at Channel News Asia, in a role she once thought was out of reach.
She didn’t go back to school. She didn’t take a pay cut.
And the kicker? She landed the job and got a pay raise.
But the biggest transformation wasn’t on her CV—it was internal.
When we first spoke, she was battling doubts:
“Am I too late?” “What if I mess this up?” “How do I make this leap actually make sense?”
She later told me:
“I still remember the first session with you—how it just clicked that I really do want to be a writer, but I’d been too scared to let myself try. And now, all the steps I've taken seem small, and imposter syndrome is real—but I'm so grateful I took them anyway :’)”
That’s the heart of a career pivot.
It’s not just about spinning your story.
It’s about seeing your story clearly enough to own it—and deciding which parts to amplify
Read more of our clients’ success stories here.
Ready to Rebrand Yourself?
Join my Free Webinar: How to Rebrand Yourself for Your Next Career
Whether you’re switching industries, returning from a break, or finally pursuing a long-held dream—this is the moment to start.
In my free 90-min career rebrand masterclass, you’ll get:
🔸 Real before-and-after resume examples
🔸LinkedIn tips to tell your story with confidence
🔸Pitch templates to reintroduce yourself in a new industry
🔸A step-by-step guide to packaging your value—no matter where you’ve been
You’ll leave knowing how to make people look again—and see the star you already are.
👉Reserve Your Spot Here – It’s Free