10 Strategies for a Successful Career Transition (Part 2)

This is the second part of article “10 Strategies for a Successful Career Transition”

5. Don’t be afraid to start over

If you want to change career, you have to create a plan. In that plan, you have to include how you feel about your job right now and how you want to feel after that career change. For example, “I am not satisfied with my current job, and I want to change that. My goal is to feel hundred percent happy with my new career.” Also, you have to include your financial situation. Maybe you have to save some money, or you might have to prepay your rent and your bills for some months, or even ask for some help from your family or friends, until you find your new career. Don’t be afraid to start over. Many successful people were sleeping on a couch with a few dollars in their accounts until their dreams come true. In the beginning, it might be hard. But always remember that nothing worth having comes easy.

6. Avoid negative people

Avoid people who discourage you from trying anything new, anything that’s risky, and anything that will help you build a better professional and personal life. Keep your eyes on your goal, follow what you love, and don’t let the naysayers get you down.

7. Volunteer

Volunteerism is a great bonus on your resume because:

a) you’re being exposed to anything new related to your new career and you get work experience,

b) you grow your network,

c) you learn more about yourself, about the job, and if you want to pursue it as a career,

d) it’s a bonus that employers think highly of it.

8. Internship

An internship is a great way for you to obtain valuable work experience. It differs from volunteer work because:

i) you experience a company’s real-time operations,

ii) you do exactly what a company asks you to do,

iii) you develop transferable skills such as teamwork, leadership, organization and time management, written and verbal communication, analytical skills, etc.

iv) you need less training and you can handle more responsibilities

v) you stand out to potential employers.

9. Prepare for interviews

Get ready to have a lot of career change interviews. When you have that kind of interview, try to connect your experience with the job’s requirements. Important skills to bring out are those we mentioned above (transferable skills). Additionally, you must be able to explain your motivation for changing careers. Some useful tips are to show them that you know what the job involves, and you’re ready to succeed in their job. You have to show them that you’re capable of solving the problems they expect you to solve.

10. Resume

Repositioning your resume is crucial for a successful career transition. When you learn what the company you want to work for needs, and what you can offer them, then you must choose a format for your resume. The best resume format for a career change is the combination layout. It emphasizes both skills and accomplishments and recent work history. Once your resume is aligned with the industry’s requirements, you will have more chances to work for them.

Bonus: Find a Mentor

Mentors can support you in tough times while you’re changing career, and they can also give you some guidance on how to handle that “weird situation” until you find what you love. In addition to that, they can provide you with useful tips such as how to present yourself, companies to target, and ways to shape your resume for the new industry.

So, whatever strategy you will choose, always remember what Maya Angelou once said:

I’ve learned that “making a living” is not the same thing as “making a life”.

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