Below if our latest submission for this week’s 24 hour newspaper: Successful steps towards career transition.
Successful steps towards career transition
Our team is contacted on a regular basis from various professionals wanting to know how to make a career transition. These same individuals range from students to successful executives who are ready to make that leap to their dream job now that they have security. As a matter of fact, most individuals tend to make at least 2-3 career transitions in a lifetime, so this should not be a surprise.
From our experience, here are some steps to keep in mind prior to making your career transition:
Maintain your focus
Transition is never easy, so remain focused and optimistic. Before this first step, be sure this what you really want, if you are still uncertain or sitting on the proverbial fence, seek answers. Should you continue on your current path or try something new? Gain reassurance by talk to friends and family, read career books, and seek advice from professionals within the field. I would also suggest following someone in the job, before making your switch (e.g.: a ride along with a police officer)
Resume
Your resume will need to be re-written to focus on your new found transition. If you have taken courses, other schooling, volunteer work or actual job experience this must be up-front. You may include your past experience if it ties into the new transitional job. If your previous experience is not related, push this information down on the resume with less detail..
Cover Letters
The cover letter is extremely important to fully describe your intention or reason for the transition and how your previous experience will only help you and not hurt you. Be honest and up-front with the employer.
Networking
Its time to utilize your network and “using your friends,” You will be quick to notice that others genuinely do want to help. Get yourself noticed via professional social sites such as LinkedIn and Facebook. Get the word out that you are making a career transition and looking for a job.
Job Leads
Attend various organizational meetings, join related associations. This is a good way to meet and greet professionals within the field. This is also a good place to build rapport, since everyone attending these events are there to meet other like professionals. Don’t forget the more conventional methods such as: writing to companies, taking friends and contacts to lunch, and doing anything and everything possible to develop job leads.
Job Interviewing
Interviews are never easy and there is usually always a sense of nervousness. This is the final hurdle before reaching your new found career, so make sure you are well prepared. Since this is a new career, you have to be willing to start at the bottom of the scale and you may not make the same salary you may have in your previous career. Think of this as your first job coming out of school and the most important thing is to build experience and knowledge before thinking money.
Remember, career transition is never easy and takes lots of time and patience. Its important to treat your search like a full time job, while maintaining current within the new field.
Good luck in your new found search!
Do you have any job or work related topics you would like us to cover in the future? If so, contact us at info@hrinmotion.com
