When it comes time in one’s life to switch careers, the consensus that most eager job changers seem to come to is that they’re at a huge disadvantage over those who already have experience working in a given industry who’re applying for the same jobs. This is so far from the truth that this kind of thinking is in a whole other stratosphere from the reality that actually exists in most areas of the job market today.
Caution: I’m not referring to your dreams of becoming an engineer or a doctor if your last three jobs have been working in food service or retail. If the new job or career you desire requires an education, you’ll need to head off to school. The Pretender could seamlessly insert himself into any career with just a few hours of reading and research; you likely cannot, sorry.
That doesn’t mean that you can’t make a big switch in a relatively short period of time. The ability to use your past to your advantage, learn new skills, and possess the right attitude can oftentimes make you much more valuable than the experienced professionals vying for the same jobs as you.
Is it your time to make a switch?
Knowing what businesses are looking for and how to maximize your background when putting together a resume, or sitting across from a recruiter will go a long way toward helping you to make a swift and happy career switch:
1. Have the Right Attitude
This one’s #1 for a very good reason. Bless yourself and those around you with a good personality that’s easy to be around and you’re sure to get further ahead than even those with more experience than you. Most companies are looking for open-minded people to fill positions of importance. People who can get along with a wide range of people and don’t create a fuss where one isn’t needed. I can’t recommend lying about your personality though. If you’re a sour-puss, you’ll either have to make a swift change, or resign yourself to just deal with the walls you’ve put up around your career ambitions.
2. Flaunt Success
People who show a consistent track record of success throughout their life tend to attract (by working for) measurable and desirable results to every position they have in their life. Make sure you know where your successes have been, and that they show up front and center on your resume. Highlight the one victory you’re most proud of in your cover letter and make sure you’re ready for the interview when the recruiter will certainly ask the dreaded “Tell me about the moment in your life/career that you’re most proud of and why?”
3. Transferable Skills
There are so many skills that can be considered transferable. And the list has grown universally over the last decade and a half. Back in the early 2000’s, even most of the young Gen Xers of the time had no idea how to open a web browser or word processors. Now, most people under the age of 60 know all the basics they need to successfully operate what would have been considered space age technology back then. Then there are customer service skills which apply to numerous industry roles. For instance, a smart and articulate customer service rep will usually be great at sales. The possibilities don’t end there: a number-savvy accountant might make a great police officer due to their painstaking attention to detail; someone who works at a veterinary clinic may be a great fit to work at an old-age facility because they’re used to being attentive to their animal charges. Consider all tangibles and intangibles you can bring to your new career before hitting “send” or “print” on your resume. The more transferable skills you can offer, the more you single yourself out as someone who doesn’t have trouble learning new skills in a timely manner too!
4. Show Off Your Connections
With some people, recruiters can just automatically tell when someone’s a mover-shaker type who always knows the right people whenever a situation presents itself. The rest of you have to make sure they know you’re in the relationship-development business. Make sure your social media accounts are all updated, particularly LinkedIn, to ensure that your networking efforts over the years don’t go unnoticed. Think of it this way, who are you to them? It’s all about who you know. Best, the HR guys can prescreen you and contact people that both of you know and get a good feel for what you have to offer their company. It’s a win-win, as long as you aren’t a social pariah — or worse, you post without thinking every time you get a buzz on!
5. Be Confident
You may actually be completely out of your league chasing down whatever job you may be going for. However, nobody got there without at least some inward confidence in themselves. Give yourself at least a 50/50 chance or greater when you walk into the interview. The thing you really want to remember here is that a “No” is actually going to give you a lot of good information to leave with, including why they don’t see you as qualified for the position. If you’re not stoked with confidence and unbridled enthusiasm for the job you’re applying for, it’ll surely show through.
Leave a comment and tell us about the biggest career change you’ve ever made — the stumbling blocks you found in your way and how you overcame them.
Main Image Credit: Flazingo Photos/Flickr
