How I Successfully Pivoted from Oil & Gas to Sustainability Consulting While Changing Countries
"The Industry Pivot System transformed my international job search. By strategically positioning my diverse experience across countries and industries, I went from zero responses to multiple interviews with top firms—including three of the Big Four—in less than a month."
Highly qualified but constantly overlooked
After completing my studies in Lebanon, I moved to France to attend one of the country's most prestigious schools. I had built considerable experience through internships across multiple countries—Lebanon, Egypt, Turkey—and worked in both oil and gas and consulting industries. On paper, I had an impressive international background.
But the reality of my job search was frustrating:
- My applications disappeared into black holes with immediate rejections
- The oil and gas industry in France was struggling, creating a tight job market
- I couldn't effectively communicate my value to potential employers
- My CV and LinkedIn weren't generating any interest despite my qualifications
I found myself in that painful position many international professionals experience: knowing I had valuable skills to offer but unable to get companies to notice me. The confusion was overwhelming—with such diverse experience, which roles should I target? How could I present my background in a way that showcased its value rather than making me seem unfocused?
Finding clarity through strategic positioning
Working with Gaurav and the Industry Pivot System was exactly what I needed. We started with a comprehensive kickoff meeting to understand my situation and identify which high-growth industries would value my unique combination of skills.
The breakthrough came when we shifted my focus from "documenting my past" to strategically positioning myself for sustainability consulting—a rapidly growing field that perfectly matched my diverse background across countries and industries.
We completely redesigned my professional positioning:
Strategic CV & LinkedIn alignment The Industry Pivot System showed me how to transform my CV from a generic history document into a powerful marketing tool for sustainability consulting roles. We identified the exact keywords and accomplishments that would resonate with hiring managers in this specific industry.
Targeted outreach approach We developed a systematic outreach strategy to connect with decision-makers, including templates for initial messages and follow-up responses that highlighted my unique international perspective.
Interview preparation framework Most importantly, I learned how to confidently articulate my value in interviews—particularly how to emphasize the right experiences in the first few moments to capture the interviewer's attention.
From zero responses to multiple offers in under a month
The results were immediate and astounding:
- Within less than a month, I received interest from 8 different companies
- Three of the Big Four accounting firms contacted me for interviews
- I ultimately received offers from two companies
- I accepted a position as a Sustainability Consultant at EY
What made this approach so effective was its focus on positioning. Rather than seeing my diverse international experience as confusing, we reframed it as perfect preparation for helping companies navigate complex global sustainability challenges and decarbonization strategies.
The Industry Pivot System helped me recognize that my background wasn't the problem—it was how I was presenting it. By strategically aligning my experience with the specific needs of sustainability consulting, I transformed from an overlooked candidate to a sought-after professional.
Building a meaningful career that leverages my international experience
Today, I'm working in a role that perfectly matches my values and skills. As a Sustainability Consultant, I help companies develop decarbonization strategies and meet environmental regulations—work that feels meaningful and important in 2025's climate-focused business environment.
My diverse international experience, which once seemed difficult to explain to employers, is now one of my greatest assets. I bring a global perspective to sustainability challenges that many of my colleagues who've only worked in one country simply don't have.
Finding your place no matter how challenging the journey
The most important lesson I learned through this experience was the power of strategic positioning in the job market. When you align your unique experiences with the right growth industry, opportunities multiply.
"I would tell anyone struggling in their job search: you will definitely find the place that suits you, no matter how long the difficult situation lasts. The Industry Pivot System helped me understand that I didn't need to change who I was—I just needed to find the right environment where my international experience would be valued. With the right positioning strategy, I went from constant rejection to multiple offers from top firms in less than a month."
—Rawad, Sustainability Consultant
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We’d love to hear more about your career goals!
Book a call with one of our dedicated Career Advisors so we can learn more about your situation. And if we think we can help, we’ll walk you through how to join Industry Pivot System.
Book Your Career Strategy Call
Xiole ChenÂ
Solution Consultant
“I was at a company where my career growth felt completely stalled, and I was worried about how to future-proof my skill set. That’s when I reached out to Gaurav. He helped me analyze which high-growth industries matched my experience, then we reworked my CV and LinkedIn to spotlight my problem-solving abilities in a sales consulting context. Within three weeks, I landed a role at a top-100 company in my chosen space—and I’ve already been promoted twice in two years. Now I’m thriving as a Solutions Consultant with uncapped commission, and I finally feel secure in both my earning potential and career trajectory
Uliana Smirnova
Senior Brand ManagerÂ
Feeling stuck in my career, I sought Gaurav's expertise. His support in identifying my strengths and core values was a turning point. It significantly improved my understanding of the types of roles and work environments that would be the best fit for me.
Manthan Shan
Cyber Security Analyst
“I was doing all right in my current job, but I wanted something with real six-figure potential—something that would keep me ahead in a fast-evolving industry. Gaurav and I honed in on cybersecurity, reorienting my CV and LinkedIn to showcase the precise mix of technical and soft skills employers look for. We also developed networking and outreach tactics that got me in front of the right people. I soon secured a role at a globally recognized firm and started advancing internally soon after, all while enjoying a significant salary boost. It’s amazing how targeted positioning can change everything.”
Sandipan Basu
Regional Category Manager
“I was doing well enough, but I felt like I’d hit a plateau and didn’t have the energy or excitement to keep going. Rather than jump ship, Gaurav guided me in re-examining my priorities and deciding whether a senior role within my current company might be the answer. We overhauled my professional branding and focused on how to advocate for my own advancement. I landed a leadership position in the same organization, complete with better pay and more autonomy. It’s renewed my passion and reminded me why I loved this field in the first place.”
Camilia Gurriaran
Legal and Policy Officer
“I was applying for legal roles in an incredibly competitive environment and struggling to prove I could handle complex projects—especially since I was early in my career. Gaurav helped me build my confidence and articulate my expertise in a way that genuinely showcased my potential. After making those changes to my CV, LinkedIn, and interview approach, I landed a job at a top European firm in just six weeks. I’m already on track for rapid progress, and I couldn’t be happier!”
Srujan Kumar
Project ManagerÂ
As an international student, I was struggling to land interviews for jobs in the UK, sending out endless CV with no responses. Even when I did get interviews, they'd say they couldn’t sponsor me, and I felt stuck. Since I started working with Gaurav, who'd been an international student himself, everything changed. He showed me exactly how to position myself as a top candidate, identify the right companies willing to sponsor, and highlight the value I bring in my CV during the interviews. Within a few weeks, I secured a sponsored role that completely transformed my career prospects.
Natalia M.
Business DevelopmentÂ
“I was determined to refine my sales skills and really highlight the success I’d had in past roles, but I struggled to show employers how my experience translated to a new business development position. Working with Gaurav taught me how to present myself as a proactive problem solver instead of just another candidate. I revamped my CV and interview strategy to emphasize my strengths, and I soon landed a sales role with uncapped commission—exactly what I’d been aiming for. Now, I’m growing my skill set every day and feeling more confident than ever.”
Aditya Gavali
Senior Data Specialist
“I was stuck in a credit analyst role, and it felt like my broader skill set was going unused. I tried internal applications, but no one seemed to see how I could pivot to a more data-focused job. Then Gaurav helped me articulate my value in a way that directly addressed what my company needed—he even worked with me on a concise pitch showing how I’d succeed as a Senior Data Specialist. Within weeks, I secured an internal move to a more senior role in a different department, giving me the fresh challenge I’d been craving. Now I’m happier, more engaged, and excited to push my limits further.”
Kim Schmidt
Head of E-commerce
“I had plenty of amazing e-commerce experience, but I kept missing out on opportunities because I couldn’t articulatemy value in interviews. Gaurav helped me translate my background into tangible results businesses understand. Soon after, I landed a Senior Head of E-Commercerole with a multi-six-figure package!”
Joyle B.Â
Operations Leader
“I was sending out tons of applications, only to face rejection after rejection. Gaurav’s outreach strategy finally helped me show hiring managers the tangible results I could deliver, backed up by a stronger CV and LinkedIn presence. That led me to an ideal operations role, and I was promotedafter just one year because of the impact I made. Finding the right environment has completely changed how I feel about my career.”
Christopher Arida
Consulting Professional
“After running my own business for years, I decided to return to the corporate world—but I wasn’t sure how to position my entrepreneurial track record. Gaurav helped me translate everything I’d learned as a founder—strategy, operations, leadership—into a powerful CV and LinkedIn profile. Shortly after, I joined a consulting firm, where the team recognized my unique skill set almost immediately, and I advanced quickly in just a year. It’s amazing to see how the right positioning can open doors.”
Iris Otano
Director Technical Program ManagerÂ
“I’ve always had a strong background, but somehow my salary never quite matched the value I brought to the table. Working with Gaurav changed that. He guided me through a negotiation strategy that highlighted my ability to manage complex technical projects and solve high-level problems. As a result, I increased my total compensation by six figures—and for the first time, I feel like I’m being paid what I’m worth. Having that confidence has transformed how I approach my role, and I couldn’t be happier with the outcome.”
Raghav Dawar
Global Enterprise Account
“I was moving from abroad to London and had tons of experience, but I couldn’t get recruiters to pay attention. Gaurav’s strategy helped me rebrand myself as a global talent who could bring in international business. He also guided me to target companies that needed someone with a global sales perspective, rather than just a regional focus. Soon, I had multiple offers in London and ended up in a Global Enterprise Account role with uncapped commission an amazing turnaround from where I started!”
We’d love to hear more about your career goals!
Book a call with one of our dedicated Career Advisors so we can learn more about your situation. And if we think we can help, we’ll walk you through how to join Industry Pivot System.
Book Your Career Strategy Call