Advice
So you want to transition careers….
Be willing to start over
Making a career shift means starting from scratch again. Regardless of your previous work experience, know that you will be taking a few steps back when paving a new path. This includes adjusting salary expectations, identifying new mentors and networking within new industries and being a “sponge” again. The good news- you have work experience now, so making headway should go faster this time around!
Contract, volunteer or find an internship!
We are big proponents of contracting or the “try before you buy” method. If you can, find a contract or volunteer opportunity to try this new path out. This should give you a true taste of what you are in for and oftentimes, these contract or temporary opportunities can turn into permanent paths! Having this experience will also make your resume more relevant when applying to new fields.
Tap into your network
When making a career shift, don’t always rely on the traditional job applying methods. If your resume doesn’t perfectly align, your network is your ally. Having family members, friends, former colleagues and/or mentors advocate for you can open doors that wouldn’t open otherwise. This also goes for learning more about a new industry or career path. Never be afraid to message someone on LinkedIn who has your dream job. This not only shows initiative, but gives you a chance to learn the ins and outs of a path prior to interviewing and potentially identify a mentor!
Craft your new narrative
Time to think about your rebrand! This applies to both your resume and your elevator pitch when networking and interviewing. Be able to explain why you are driven to make this shift. Go through your resume and identify the transferable skills you know will set you up for success in this future endeavor. Your existing experience is valuable and can always be spun in various ways to highlight this new career path and how you will be an asset. Since your resume doesn’t scream “hire me” for this new opportunity, we recommend adding an objective at the top of your resume that highlights what you are seeking and what transferable skills you have (both soft and technical). This will be the first thing a hiring manager sees and will set the tone when reviewing your experience and will better your chances in being considered.
Above all else, TRUST THE PROCESS. Job fulfillment is crucial to overall happiness. Don’t be afraid to lean on your network and trust your gut when trying something new!
