Frequently Asked Questions

PivotPlanet connects people who are exploring new careers or honing existing skills with expert advisors working in hundreds of professions for affordable one-on-one, one-hour videoconference, phone or in-person sessions.

PivotPlanet goes beyond connecting online, career coaching or corporate outplacement.

PivotPlanet advisors offer real-life career experiences.

This could be the most valuable time you ever spend online. PivotPlanet gives you one-on-one access to experts doing what you're aspiring to do -- advisors who will answer your questions and share their knowledge.

So, how does it work? Here are answers to some frequently asked questions.


How do I meet with my PivotPlanet advisor?

You have three options — you can choose any one of them for each session:

  1. Phone
  2. Videoconference
  3. In person (post COVID)

How much does it cost?

Most one-hour sessions range from $40 to $125.

How do I find the right advisor?

Use the keyword search on the PivotPlanet.com home page to describe the type of work you want to explore, and choose from the list of advisors resulting from your search. You can also browse our advisors by career type, job title or any key word. Compare advisors by reading their biographies, watching their videos, scanning their photo galleries and reading client reviews.

How do I know PivotPlanet advisors are reputable experts?

PivotPlanet carefully selects our expert advisors. We require our advisors to be successful, full-time professionals in their careers for a minimum of five years before they join PivotPlanet. We research each advisor's work history, references and online presence. We also reserve the right to conduct background checks on advisors. PivotPlanet advisors are the real deal.

What do I have to do to schedule my one-hour session with a PivotPlanet advisor?

You just need to follow four easy steps:

  1. Send a message to the advisor(s) requesting a one-hour videoconference, phone or in-person meeting, and provide up to 10 times that work for your schedule.
  2. The advisor(s) will accept a time or propose up to three new times.
  3. Accept and pay for one of the suggested times.
  4. Connect with your advisor for your videoconference, phone or in-person (post COVID) meeting. Easy!

What if I'm not tech savvy?

No problem. The easiest option is to choose a phone session, conducted via your home or mobile phone number. Videoconferences can take place via Zoom, Skype, FaceTime, Google Hangouts or any other videoconference service - you'll work with your advisor to pick the method that's best for you both. If you are planning a videoconference, you'll need broadband Internet service and a camera on your computer or phone.

Do I need to share my email or phone number?

Your email address will be shared with your advisor such that you may set up your videoconference, phone or in-person (post-COVID) meeting. The contact information you share to conduct that session is up to you – it can be your Skype ID, your FaceTime address or your phone number. Your email address will be shared only with your advisor, and only after you have paid for your PivotPlanet meeting.

Is this like career, life or executive coaching?

No. Career, life and executive coaches help you focus your skills and strengths in the right direction, but they do not work in the actual profession(s) you're exploring. PivotPlanet advisors work in the same career you're exploring. They've been there and done that. Your time with them is a reality check that is hard to get anywhere else.

Should I have a list of questions prepared for my advisor?

Although your advisor will have a baseline of information to cover with you each session, you should come fully prepared with your list of questions. This is your time. You will get out of it what you put into it. Make it count.

What if my advisor or I am late for a session?

We use the "personal trainer" model for dealing with tardiness or cancelation. If you are more than 15 minutes late or you cancel within an hour of your session with your advisor, you lose that session. If you are late, your advisor is not obligated to wait more than 15 minutes for you. Nor do they need to credit you for their valuable time. So be on time!

The same is expected of PivotPlanet advisors. If an advisor is more than 15 minutes late or cancels within an hour of your session, they will reschedule with you and make up any additional lost time and then some. We recommend advisors provide an additional 30 minutes of pro bono consultation for being late or canceling at the last minute.

There are exceptions to every rule. If an emergency occurs, both parties should be accommodating and use good sense.

If I establish a working relationship with my advisor, should I continue to use PivotPlanet to communicate with them?

Yes. We look forward to an ongoing relationship with you!

Have other questions we didn't answer here?

Please email us at hello@pivotplanet.com.

Why should I become a PivotPlanet advisor?

For lots of reasons, but primarily:

  1. To earn supplemental income
  2. To make a difference in people's lives
  3. To gain valuable credibility in your field

What are the criteria to become a PivotPlanet advisor?

You will make a great PivotPlanet advisor if you:

  1. Love what you do and want to share your knowledge with others
  2. Have worked in your field full-time for a minimum of five (5) years
  3. Are able to advise PivotPlanet clients via one-hour videoconference, phone and/or in-person meetings (post-COVID)
  4. Are able to sign-off on PivotPlanet's Terms and Conditions

How will I share my expertise?

Via:
  1. Phone;
  2. Videoconference; and/or
  3. In person (post-COVID)

What do I have to do to schedule my time with a PivotPlanet client?

You just need to follow four easy steps:

  1. You will receive an email from a prospective client via PivotPlanet requesting a one-hour videoconference, phone or in-person (post COVID) meeting. They will provide up to 10 times that work for their schedule.
  2. You will accept one of the times that works best for you, or you can propose up to three new times.
  3. The client will accept and book one of the suggested times.
  4. Your email address will be shared with your client such that you may set up your one-hour videoconference, phone or in-person (post-COVID) meeting. The contact information you share to conduct that session is up to you – it can be a Zoom link, your Skype ID, your FaceTime address or your phone number. Your email address will only be shared with your client, and only after they have paid for their meeting with you.

What if I'm not tech savvy?

No problem. The easiest option is to choose a phone session, conducted via your home or mobile phone number. Videoconferences can take place via Zoom, Skype, FaceTime, Google Hangouts or any other video conference service - you'll work with your client to pick the method that's best for you both. If you are planning a videoconference, you'll need broadband Internet service and a camera on your computer.

Do I need to share my email or phone number?

Your email address will be shared with your client such that you may set up your phone, videoconference or in-person (post COVID) meeting. The contact information you share to conduct that session is up to you – it can be a Zoom link you've created, your Skype ID, your FaceTime address or your phone number. Your email address will be shared only with your client, and only they have paid for your meeting.

How is my expertise priced?

You're the boss. You set your hourly pricing. For example, a bakery owner might set her video sessions at $50 per hour. An LA-based TV producer may charge $200 per hour.

How much money can I make providing my expertise on PivotPlanet?

The more you market yourself via your social network, the more supplemental income you will make.

Does PivotPlanet take a cut of my earnings?

We add margin to your advising fee to form a retail price and we deduct a 5% bill processing and marketing fee from your advising fee.

How do I get paid?

On a monthly basis, PivotPlanet pays all advisors for bookings from the previous month via PayPal.

Will I get to edit my advisor bio and pricing that will be posted on the PivotPlanet website?

Absolutely. And it can be updated at any time.

Will I need to sign-off on some Terms and Conditions?

Yes. You need to agree to our Terms and Conditions at the time of your application to become an advisor.

I'm a business owner. What if a prospective client wants to start a business in my hometown? Do I have to provide my expertise to anyone who requests?

If you get a request from someone who is local, you might suggest they reach out to someone in another city. People will understand and respect your decision to not mentor someone who may become your direct, local competition.

What if my client or I am late for a session?

We use the "personal trainer" model for dealing with tardiness or cancelation. If you are more than 15 minutes late or you cancel within an hour of your session, you need to reschedule with your client and make up any additional lost time and then some. We ask that you provide an additional 30 minutes of pro bono consultation for being late or canceling at the last minute.

If your client is more than 15 minutes late or cancels within an hour of your session, they lose that session. You do not need to credit them for your valuable time.

There are exceptions to every rule. If an emergency occurs, both parties should be accommodating and use good sense.

Once I establish a relationship with a client, do I still use PivotPlanet for additional sessions with them?

Yes. There are four reasons why you want to book your client sessions through PivotPlanet. First, we are your ongoing marketing platform and source for new clients. Second, we are your bill-processing arm ... you don't have to worry about waiting for a client's check to clear or set up your own way of taking credit cards. Third, you gain more credibility and cachet in your field by having your clients rate your expertise on PivotPlanet for future clients to see. Finally, we charge you only a 5% bill-processing fee. If you work around our agreement, we will remove your profile from PivotPlanet.com and you will lose the opportunity of earning supplemental income and sharing your expertise through PivotPlanet.

I'm a career coach (or life coach, or consultant) — can I be an advisor?

Thanks for your interest in PivotPlanet. We do not have coaches or consultants on board PivotPlanet as advisors since coaches and consultants do not work in the actual professions in which our clients are exploring. However, we do partner with coaches and consultants for workshops, classes and speaking engagements. If you would like to incorporate PivotPlanet into one of your upcoming workshops, classes or speaking engagements, please email us at hello@pivotplanet.com with your name, company name, website and phone number and we will be happy to have a conversation with you.

Have other questions we didn't answer here?

Please email us at hello@pivotplanet.com.