By: Travis Hutton
Changing careers isn’t easy. Whether you’re shifting industries, stepping into leadership, or launching something new, one factor can help smooth the process—credibility. In 2025, positive media exposure has become one of the tools many professionals are using to build that credibility during a transition.
First Impressions Matter More in Transition
When someone moves into a new role or industry, there’s often a credibility gap. People know you for one thing, and now you want them to trust you in another. Media exposure can help bridge that gap by showing others that your new direction is grounded in thought, experience, and purpose.
A 2024 study by LinkedIn found that professionals who received media features during a career change were 38% more likely to be contacted by recruiters or prospective clients within three months. This isn’t about fame—it’s about building visibility and trust.
Framing the Narrative Before Others Do
Media coverage provides professionals with the opportunity to shape their own story before assumptions set in. A well-placed article, interview, or founder feature lets you explain your “why,” highlight transferable skills, and share your new focus with clarity.
For example, a former restaurant group executive who transitioned into wellness coaching, landed a Q&A feature in a niche health publication. The article didn’t just announce the change. It explained the burnout that led to the pivot, the training that followed, and her new approach to leadership. That story helped her build trust quickly—with both clients and media.
Telling your story early can help reduce confusion later.
Soft Launches Are Getting Sharper
Career pivots don’t need press releases. But they do need clear messaging. Professionals are using media as a tool to make transitions feel intentional—not abrupt. They’re choosing formats like essays, founder spotlights, and expert commentary to explain their shift in a way that feels clear and confident.
The most effective transitions are those that are communicated clearly.
Services like Hermes Wire are helping professionals get their stories published during pivotal moments. Launched in 2023, Hermes Wire makes it easier to distribute founder features, personal brand stories, and announcements in trusted media outlets. For those making a transition, it offers a fast and clear way to share your new direction without needing a full PR strategy.
It gives people insight into your next move.
The Benefits Go Beyond Headlines
Positive media exposure doesn’t just validate your new path. It helps build your Google footprint. It can support investor conversations, boost client conversion, and even make networking easier—because people already know what you’re working on and why.
Another example, a corporate HR director turned DEI consultant, wrote a short article about her shift and what she hoped to change in the industry. That one article became a touchpoint in job interviews, pitch meetings, and speaking invitations. It worked harder than a résumé ever could.
Media provides career changers with proof of purpose.
Career transitions are vulnerable moments. But with the right media exposure, they become opportunities to lead the story, build trust, and create momentum. When you share the reason behind the change—and show how it connects to what comes next—you can turn a leap into a launch.
Published by Jeremy S.
