According to the Harvard Business Review, nearly 50 million Americans quit their jobs or changed careers in 2021. Of employed adults 18 and older, more than 60% changed their fields entirely to try something new.
There are still many out there today attempting to make a career change for a variety of reasons. If you’re one of them, here are some of the best ways to get started:
Identify Your Why
When switching or exploring new careers, ask yourself why you want to do so in the first place. Perhaps you want to learn new skills, increase your earnings or have more flexible hours. Take an inventory of your interests, core values and skills.
Questions you’ll want to consider include:
- What do you like and dislike about your current job?
- What are you looking for in a new field?
- Do you want to change industries or find a new type of job in the same field?
- Do you need new skills or education?
Make a Plan
After identifying your why, it’s time for you to make a plan. This will help identify short-, mid- and long-range goals, and the steps and timeframes to achieve them.
One of the best ways to create your plan is to follow the SMART format, otherwise known as goals that are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Time-based. By using a SMART plan as part of your career change, you’ll have a clearer vision of what you need to do to achieve your goal.
Build Your Network
Changing jobs may mean working within a new industry and looking for a new job may take some time. While applying for jobs and waiting for interviews, networking can help you find new opportunities and show people you’d like to try something new.
Attending career fairs, alumni meet and greets or reaching out to potential new companies for informational interviews helps you build professional relationships in the industry before you’ve even had your first day.
Update Your Resume
When you know what type of new work you’d like to try, it’s time to update your resume. How do you show the hiring manager you’re a good fit? Adjusting your resume can play an important role in your application process.
Not all resumes are equal, and creating one that highlights the transferable skills you have is an important tool for your career change. Your position titles may not match the traditional path to your new career, but explaining how your skills could be applied to a new position may help you secure the next interview.
For example, running an elementary school classroom takes strong, clear communication skills and exposes you to different types of computer programs. A mechanic understands attention to detail and rapid problem-solving skills. A nurse can work well under pressure and with a wide variety of personality types. Identify your soft and hard skills and make them shine in your resume.
Develop a Stand-out Cover Letter
And don’t forget an important part of your job application: your cover letter! According to SSA’s Ticket to Work Program, to add more context to your skills and show what a great fit you are for the new position, customize your letter to focus on your experience. Your cover letter can take a lot of forms these days, but above all, it is your attention grabber. It shows how you stand out as a candidate and as a person. Bring your confidence and have faith in your own voice (though you should always have someone proofread!). It will help you find the right organization and people who are the best career change match for you.
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