How to Switch Industries – 5 Easy Steps to Take
If you're considering switching industries in your career this year, you’re not alone. At least 22% of employees say they're contemplating a career change. 😦
Truth be told, the COVID-19 pandemic caused many people (myself included) to reconsider what they wanted to do with their lives.
Some of you are suffering from burnout and looking to switch jobs and search for flexible and/or remote work. Maybe you want a raise or you’re ready to explore a new industry. Hey, perhaps you’re prepared to try your hand at entrepreneurship and start your own business.
Whatever your case, you must think this through to execute a successful industry switch. Read on to learn my strategy to make it happen. 👇
Strategies for changing careers and industries no matter your age
Create Your Career Transitioning Plan by Starting with You!
When deciding to switch industries in your career, always start with yourself. Know what your values are and what they mean to you to ensure that they align with your new career path. By defining and aligning your values, you set a great foundation to find a career where you can make the most impact.
Sit down and make a list of your goals, dreams, and ambitions and get to planning. Define clear objectives and milestones to get to where you want to be. Spend time researching salaries, job titles, and companies you might want to explore as you start this new journey.
Remember, anyone can change career paths at any age, any time, and at any moment, as long as they have a plan. By completing the items above in Step 1, you can identify what strengths you need to sharpen and how to weaken your weaknesses so as to position yourself as an expert and land a new role.
2. Identify Your Values and Ensure They Align with Your New Career
If you're going to find a job where you can truly make an impact, you have to have a clearly defined set of values. Take some time to write down the things that are important to you and how you can align them within your new career path.
3. Audit Your Job Search Materials: Resume, Cover Letter & LinkedIn 📑
It’s time to dust off that resume you haven’t touched in years. Believe it or not, your resume is tailored to match your current industry, so it’s time to change that. Browse through resume examples of the jobs and career paths you want to follow. Highlight experiences and skills that align with yours and focus on those in your new resume.
Think about your new career change cover letter. You want to discuss your transferable skills, talk about previous roles, and show that you have an understanding of the company.
If you don’t have a LinkedIn profile, now is the time to create one.
4. Improve our Job Search Strategy and Tap Into Your Network 🤝
When you're ready to begin your job search, you're going to have to go above and beyond. Stop relying exclusively on Google and sites like Monster and Linkedin for your job search. It's time to implement more targeted strategies and apply meaningful intentions if you want to get real results in your job search.
Odds are your network includes people from every industry. Speak with professionals you can trust to put in a good word for you or to keep you updated with new opportunities. Reach out to them via social media to let them know about your plans.
And don’t be scared to expand your network.
Seek opportunities to attend networking events related to your industry of interest. Be honest, vulnerable, and attentive. The more you put yourself out there, the more likely you’ll be presented with new opportunities.
5. Sharpen Your Interview and Negotiation Skills 💼
Maybe you’ve been out of the interview game for a while. Focus on practicing and improving your interview skills and get comfortable talking about your decision to switch industries.
The interview is an essential part of the process. It's important to learn how to position yourself as a top candidate. You need to be able to negotiate confidently and professionally, and make very clear what you can bring to the company.
Think of different elevator pitches, selling points, and concise ideas that reflect your skills. Practice with a friend or a colleague who’s recently been in the interview chair. The more prepared you come to interviews, the more likely you will persuade the hiring managers that you’re the one for the role.
Work to shift the interview from an interrogation to a conversation. Sitting down for the interview gives you the opportunity to show yourself as someone who understands the company and the problems you'll be solving, who understands its most pressing issues and how it operates.
6. Be intentional with your time 🕖
Switching industries and careers requires you being intentional with your time. Spend at least 90 min a week searching for a new job and keep yourself motivated by logging your milestones as you make your way toward your complete career change. By tracking your progress and celebrating the small wins along the way, you’ll have the motivation to keep pushing forward and successfully make the switch.
You. Got. This.
Need help switching industries for your career?
I know switching industries and careers can be an overwhelming experience. Perhaps you don’t even know what industry you want to change to.
But, if you’re ready to get started, and even if you’re not, let me help you find the confidence you need to make your next big professional move with the Mentor Me Accelerator program, an 8-week career advancement program to help you find and secure the next jump in your career.
Designed to help you advance professionally and find your dream job, this program is the first step into your career-change plan. Schedule a Mentor Moment today, and let’s start planning your next move.