Change is as good as a holiday, and that’s the same in the job market. If you find yourself wanting to transition into another career, it can be daunting but that’s why we’re here. We’ve put together a list of our top six tips that’ll help make your career transition as smooth as possible.
Find roles that align with your interests
If you’re wondering what step to take next, think about your interest. By figuring out your passions and translating that into a career – you’re more likely to be satisfied with your work and might not want to transition into a different career again.
Figure out where there might be a skills gap and fill it
A skills shortage could mean you have a great shot at being a desirable candidate. If you don’t have the skills needed to fill the gap just yet, take the opportunity to upskill yourself. Filling a skills gap will put you in a good position to negotiate your position and wage while ensuring a successful and long career.
Figure out your transferrable skills
If you don’t have the direct experience or skills for the job – you may have relevant transferrable skills which could lend a hand to you landing the job. These skills transcend roles and industries and are essential for success. Think of them more like personality traits. Being a good communicator, having a positive attitude, being a problem-solver, possessing good time management skills and having initiative, adaptability and teamwork are in-demand. Even emotional intelligence is sought after.
In today’s job market, having relevant skills and experience are important, but it can be just as important to be a ‘good fit’. If it’s between you and another person who has the same experience and training as you do, but you got along better with the interviewer, it’s likely they’ll pick you.
Dust off your CV
If you’re looking to change careers, it’s important to have an updated resume. Be sure to not just list your experience, but also highlight your transferrable skills. For extra brownie points, tailor a unique letter for each job application. This may seem tedious, but if done correctly helps the hiring manager see exactly how you would fit into the role before you even meet them.
Lean on your connections
Sometimes, it really is not what you know, but who you know. Having someone in the company or role you’re wanting to transition into can be a great way to get your foot in the door. They can put in a good word, or let you know when an opportunity arises before anyone else. It can also help you understand about the role and whether that career is for you or not.
Outside of direct network, attend forums, groups or webinars to connect with other professionals. Their experiences, insights and tips could lead you to opportunities you hadn’t considered and could be a source of inspiration for you on your new career journey.
Set small goals that work towards your larger goal
Engaging with the job market can be overwhelming – to ensure you keep your wits about you, we recommend setting some goals to help guide you through it. Start small by writing down three of your interests, then research what jobs they would be useful in. Then look to do a training course if you need skills. If you want to get into business admin because you’re organised, have strong time-management and problem-solving skills but haven’t used the Microsoft Suite in a while – enrol in a Microsoft Office refresher course. Each time you tick something small off your list, the overarching goal – of transitioning into a different career – will seem less scary and faraway.
