How to Change Careers

Are you considering a career change? Follow these eight helpful tips to get traction in your new industry, make connections and land a job in your desired field.

 

Career transitions can be frightening and energizing. Whether you’re transitioning to a new field, a different industry or falling back on an old skill set – how do you take your current skills and apply them to a different job or industry? These tips will help make your career transition go more smoothly.

 

8 Strategies for Making a Career Transition

  1. Look for similarities between your current career and the one you are transitioning into. Structure your resume with transferable skills at the top. In your cover letter to potential employers, draw attention to your strongest transferable skills and mention significant achievements comparable to achievements that could be accomplished in the new career.
  2. Study the industry you want to get into. Read trade journals and magazines specific to those industries, follow important leaders on social media, and get to know the issues key professionals struggle with.
  3. Search your LinkedIn connections for people connected to the career you want to transition into. Send them a short InMail asking if they can recommend potential employers. Don’t be afraid to request an introduction and a reference.
  4. Get good at networking. Join forums and social media groups that focus on that industry or career.
  5. Attend career networking events geared toward your new industry.
  6. Start a career conversation with your boss. If your planned career transition is intra-industry, your manager might have some suggestions to help you transition easily. She may even be able to introduce you to someone to get your foot in the door.
  7. Some career moves require advanced degrees. If you expect to transition into a career that requires a degree, start your education before you make the move. Even if the entry-level position you want initially doesn’t require a degree, if you plan to move up into a professional position where an advanced degree would give you a competitive advantage, start your education first. It will impress your hiring manager.
  8. Consider launching a professional website and blog on topics related to your new industry. This can help establish your expertise in the industry and generate credibility.

 

Career transitions don’t have to be difficult. Leverage these tips to proactively manage your career and expedite your transition into a new field or industry.