- Date : 18/05/2019
- Read: 4 mins
Have you been regretting and rethinking your career decisions lately? Here’s a step to step guide for making the process of your career switch a breeze.
A career switch is no longer a thing to be afraid of. Chances are that we all know someone who left their job in the finance industry and became a successful blogger or someone who quit being in the IT industry and got into an MBA school instead. This is because job satisfaction and happiness have become the topmost priority for everyone. However, the process of making a career switch almost means starting over, which can scare a lot of people into not doing it. Well, isn’t everything difficult before it’s easy?
Thus, if you are someone who is looking for a career switch and doesn’t know how to go about it, then here’s a step to step guide which might simplify the process for you and make your career switch a breeze.
Step 1: Know your strengths:
Every industry requires a skill set of its own. However, there’s also a common set of skills that a person possesses which can be modified and transferred to all the industries. Your job here is to identify those skills in your present industry which are capable of being modified. Your job is also to figure out whether or not you like using those skills. When both of these boxes are ticked, you have your strengths.
These are the skills that are going to take you forward in your journey of finding a new industry.
Step 2: Identify industries on the basis of strengths:
Once you have decided upon the skills, only a few additions and subtractions will lead you to varied types of industries which are relevant to your strengths and interest.
After answering these questions, it is much easier to filter the best-suited industry for a career switch.
Step 3: Acquire new skills and certifications:
When you are starting over in a new industry, you begin from zero experience in that area. It naturally helps if you take some certification course or acquire specific skills required for entering the industry. It increases the chances of you getting work. An internship, a limited period training and research can go a long way in your CV.
For e.g. If someone wants to make a career switch from an accountant to a digital marketing executive, he or she can take a three months course in the digital marketing arena, work in an unpaid internship for 2-3 months and then start applying to companies.
When one brings something to the table and is well equipped, their past experiences of being an accountant are also respected and they are treated as experienced instead of beginners.
Step 4: Network:
Connections make the world go round and career switch rules are no different. While the internet and other sources make it easier today to connect with people who are already established in the industry you want to join, it is also important to identify people from your present industry who can refer you. References and work quality assurances go a long way in getting you a good job and good pay.
Reaching out to influential people in the target industry can also lead a way to great insights. Thus, you need to bring your A game in networking while breaking out in a new industry.
Step 5: Sell your story:
We are pretty much the story we tell to ourselves and the others. Every company is looking for an employee who can add efficiency to their business. Thus, during interviews, one needs to tell his/ her story in a way that showcases their ability to add value to the company with their skill-sets. One should present job switch in a positive light that shows your hunger and search for growth and excellence.
Also, link your past industry experiences that can be helpful in this industry and prove that your skills are flexible and transferrable. Presenting your story in a smart and truthful way says a lot about the employee that you will be. Thus, one should make sure that their story does justice to their journey.
Conclusion
With proper planning and research, one can make a career switch the best decision of their life. However, one should meticulously acquire the requisite skills and be positive rather than afraid to go about the process.
A career switch is no longer a thing to be afraid of. Chances are that we all know someone who left their job in the finance industry and became a successful blogger or someone who quit being in the IT industry and got into an MBA school instead. This is because job satisfaction and happiness have become the topmost priority for everyone. However, the process of making a career switch almost means starting over, which can scare a lot of people into not doing it. Well, isn’t everything difficult before it’s easy?
Thus, if you are someone who is looking for a career switch and doesn’t know how to go about it, then here’s a step to step guide which might simplify the process for you and make your career switch a breeze.
Step 1: Know your strengths:
Every industry requires a skill set of its own. However, there’s also a common set of skills that a person possesses which can be modified and transferred to all the industries. Your job here is to identify those skills in your present industry which are capable of being modified. Your job is also to figure out whether or not you like using those skills. When both of these boxes are ticked, you have your strengths.
These are the skills that are going to take you forward in your journey of finding a new industry.
Step 2: Identify industries on the basis of strengths:
Once you have decided upon the skills, only a few additions and subtractions will lead you to varied types of industries which are relevant to your strengths and interest.
After answering these questions, it is much easier to filter the best-suited industry for a career switch.
Step 3: Acquire new skills and certifications:
When you are starting over in a new industry, you begin from zero experience in that area. It naturally helps if you take some certification course or acquire specific skills required for entering the industry. It increases the chances of you getting work. An internship, a limited period training and research can go a long way in your CV.
For e.g. If someone wants to make a career switch from an accountant to a digital marketing executive, he or she can take a three months course in the digital marketing arena, work in an unpaid internship for 2-3 months and then start applying to companies.
When one brings something to the table and is well equipped, their past experiences of being an accountant are also respected and they are treated as experienced instead of beginners.
Step 4: Network:
Connections make the world go round and career switch rules are no different. While the internet and other sources make it easier today to connect with people who are already established in the industry you want to join, it is also important to identify people from your present industry who can refer you. References and work quality assurances go a long way in getting you a good job and good pay.
Reaching out to influential people in the target industry can also lead a way to great insights. Thus, you need to bring your A game in networking while breaking out in a new industry.
Step 5: Sell your story:
We are pretty much the story we tell to ourselves and the others. Every company is looking for an employee who can add efficiency to their business. Thus, during interviews, one needs to tell his/ her story in a way that showcases their ability to add value to the company with their skill-sets. One should present job switch in a positive light that shows your hunger and search for growth and excellence.
Also, link your past industry experiences that can be helpful in this industry and prove that your skills are flexible and transferrable. Presenting your story in a smart and truthful way says a lot about the employee that you will be. Thus, one should make sure that their story does justice to their journey.
Conclusion
With proper planning and research, one can make a career switch the best decision of their life. However, one should meticulously acquire the requisite skills and be positive rather than afraid to go about the process.
