In the previous article, I talked about career mistakes that can seriously impact your finances, including the risk of staying in a low-paying job. Today, I would like to share ways you can pivot your career. If you’re someone looking to increase your earnings or feel stuck in the wrong profession for any reason, this article is tailored just for you.

Changing careers is no easy feat. Once you’ve committed to a specific career path, such as accounting, making a switch to an entirely different field later on—like deciding to become a lion tamer, as humorously portrayed in the famous Monty Python sketch—can prove to be quite challenging. There are essentially three approaches you can consider:

1. Start from Where You Are

The most straightforward way to navigate a career shift is to explore opportunities within your current company. They are already familiar with your work ethic, skills, and experience, providing them with a solid understanding of your potential to perform in a different role. This is in contrast to applying externally, where you would essentially be a stranger to the prospective employer.

While larger corporations typically encourage internal mobility and offer a broader range of career options, opportunities in smaller organizations may be limited. Also, not all companies may facilitate internal moves. If making a shift within your current company proves unfeasible, consider seeking opportunities in a different organization. Begin by securing a similar role and, once you’ve gained recognition, you can pursue a shift. Using the earlier example, you might start as an accountant in a circus, and once established, you may ask the chief lion tamer if he would consider you for a vacancy in his department.

An important prerequisite of a successful career move though is to excel in your current position and seize every opportunity to learn, practice, and showcase the additional skills that make you a fitting candidate for your target role.

2. Look for Hybrid Positions

Another strategic approach is to seek roles that are somewhat “halfway” – positions that encompass certain aspects of your previous work along with new elements aligned with your desired career trajectory. For instance, if you currently work as an accountant but aspire to transition into sales, consider exploring opportunities in an insurance company. Here, you can leverage your financial expertise while acquiring the skills needed to actively pursue and acquire new clients.

3. Go for it Straightaway

Certainly, you can try applying for a job that is entirely different from your previous career right away. In such a scenario, it is crucial to acquire relevant knowledge and skills for your target career before applying. Nowadays, numerous online platforms offer courses, tutorials, and resources at reasonable prices or completely free of charge. Consider enrolling in a degree program or a certificate course that is recognized in the target industry, such as Google’s professional career certificates. Their courses are delivered via Coursera, and include a range of job-ready skills courses ranging from cybersecurity, to data analytics, to project management and even IT support. It is a feasible solution not only for people considering a career transition but also for those seeking to boost their knowledge and prove their market worth to enable vertical career progression. Typically, learners complete one of the courses within two to six months.

As you also lack hands-on experience in your target field, you should consider building at least some experience through volunteering, part-time freelancing, or contract work. If you aspire to work in a field that values creativity or visual communication, such as marketing, design, or roles demanding specific demonstrable skills like software development or data analysis, it’s advisable to craft a personal portfolio. This serves as a visual or tangible representation of your skills and accomplishments, providing prospective employers with a concrete showcase of your capabilities.

Don’t forget to highlight transferable skills you have gained in your previous career. Transferable skills are those not confined to a specific job type and can be applied across various roles. For instance, if you excel at presentations, this skill can be valuable in sales, management, or customer service. On the contrary, skills like coding in C# are not transferable, as they are specific to programming roles.

How to Transition Industries

Switching to the same job in a different industry that offers better pay or better suits your preferences, can also pose challenges. While it’s true that, for example, an accountant’s skills may seem universally applicable, most hiring managers prefer candidates with industry-specific experience. To increase your chances of success, invest time in thoroughly understanding the new industry—its business models, operations, culture, and key challenges. Craft a compelling case by demonstrating how your skills and experiences from your current industry can effectively address the specific issues faced by the new industry.

Enhancing Your Probability of Success

Despite all your efforts, competing against dozens of candidates with the exact required background can naturally limit your chances of making a successful career shift. Here are some additional tips to increase your probability of success:

• Craft a Powerful Resume and Cover Letter: Ensure your application materials not only highlight skills and experiences relevant to your new career path but also address skill and experience gaps. Identify ways your current job skills and experience can bring additional value to the new field.
• Focus on Jobs with a Relatively Lower Barrier to Entry: Certain roles, such as a real estate agent or an insurance broker, may not demand extensive experience. However, they may have specific training or licensing requirements that must be fulfilled if you want to be eligible to work in those positions.
• Expand Your Job Search: Go beyond traditional job boards. Explore opportunities through professional associations and leverage networking connections to discover unposted job opportunities or receive personal recommendations. This can be a crucial differentiator when competing with seemingly more qualified candidates.
• Be Prepared for Sacrifices: Understand that a career change may involve a temporary income dip as you gain experience in the new field. Be open to compromising on work-life balance or other factors to secure a job in your desired profession or industry.
• Seek Mentorship: Connect with an experienced career coach who can provide guidance and support throughout your career transition.
• Apply Strategically: Consider applying to jobs with significantly less competition. However, be cautious, as the low number of applicants may indicate the company is facing challenges (read more in my recent article here).

Conclusion

A successful career change requires a combination of self-awareness, planning, skill development, and perseverance. By implementing the strategies above and staying committed to your goals, you can successfully transition into a new and fulfilling career path. 

Good luck!

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