Career Reinvention After a Break | Zoe Price, CV Pilots

From Setback to Strategy: What I Learned About Career Reinvention

By Zoe Price, CEO of CV Pilots and Resume Pilots

If you had told me ten years ago that I’d one day own a business helping executives write their CVs and tell their stories with confidence, I’m not sure I would have believed you.

Back then, I was facing one of the hardest chapters in my professional life. After stepping away from a successful financial advisory career to raise my family overseas, I returned to the UK only to find myself completely stuck. My qualifications were outdated, my network had moved on, and I couldn’t seem to articulate my experience in a way that translated. I knew I was capable, but no one was calling back.

That feeling of professional invisibility is hard to describe. It wasn’t just about job hunting - it was about identity. I no longer recognised the confident, capable version of myself I had once been. My CV didn’t tell the story I needed it to. And if I’m honest, I wasn’t sure how to tell that story anymore.

That turning point became the seed of everything I do today.

Over time, I rebuilt. I moved into publishing, then into programme management in the public sector. I saw firsthand how careers evolve, and how often we downplay our growth. Quietly, people started coming to me for help with their own CVs, job applications, and career direction. I didn’t realise it then, but I was building a reputation for helping people reconnect with their value.

Fast forward to 2024, when I acquired CV Pilots - a leading executive CV writing and career support firm. It felt like a full-circle moment. I’d gone from feeling lost in the job market to running a business that helps others take control of theirs.

What we do at CV Pilots isn’t just about writing CVs. It’s about helping people be seen for who they really are. It’s about personal branding, confidence, and visibility - especially for those who’ve been out of the spotlight for a while, whether due to career breaks, industry pivots, or a shift in priorities.

Why Career Reinvention is More Common Than You Think

One of the biggest myths we need to break is that careers are supposed to be linear. They’re not. Most professionals I speak to, especially women, have taken detours, breaks, or completely redefined what success means to them. And those moments often become the most powerful chapters of their story.

We work with senior professionals navigating promotions, board moves, return-to-work scenarios, and full career pivots. What they all have in common is the need for direction, presence, and impact… both on paper and online.

The Power of Storytelling and Visibility

A strong CV is more than a list of duties. It’s a strategic document that should position you, and your value proposition, for what’s next. Same goes for your LinkedIn profile or your personal bio. If you haven’t updated yours in a while, you’re likely underselling yourself. In today’s market, if you don’t control your narrative, someone else will fill in the blanks.

I learned this the hard way. Now, it’s one of the things I’m most passionate about helping others master.

Because when you learn how to tell your story with confidence, everything changes. You start getting interviews. You start saying yes to opportunities that used to feel out of reach. You stop waiting to be chosen - and start choosing yourself.

Building a Career That Works for Your Life

For me, acquiring CV Pilots wasn’t just a business move. It was about designing a career that supported the life I wanted to lead, one with purpose, flexibility, and impact. And that’s what I encourage others to do, too.

Success doesn’t have to mean burnout. It doesn’t have to mean fitting into a mould. It’s about knowing your value and building a future that reflects it.

So, if you're reading this and feeling stuck, unsure, or simply ready for a change - know this: you’re not alone. Reinvention is not a step back. It’s a strategic move forward. And sometimes, the most powerful thing you can do is bet on yourself.

Want help telling your story?
Explore our CV reviews, executive CV services, and career resources at cvpilots.co.uk or resumepilots.com.
Follow me on LinkedIn: Zoe Price