What are the steps to transition your career smoothly and successfully?

I was a commerce graduate. Started at the lowest levels in Accounts. Have been a National Level Sportsman. About 07 years, I felt suffocated. My heart wanted to work in L&D. I applied. Failed. Made a plan and executed it .. - Enhanced visibilty. Volunteered to anchor programmes and events in club. Became mike and stage friendly. - Started reading relevant books by borrowing from company's library. Became one of the most avid readers. Senior visitors in library started noticing. I remember discussing 7 habits with people around. - Started writing and got published in Newspapers and from there in company's house journal. - Started throwing subtle hints about my passion to be in L&D. It happened in 4 years. Preparation helped..

The first step in engineering a career change is to get altitude on your career so far and figure out what you want to do next. Get a journal and write about what you’ve learned about yourself. What do you love to do? What are you especially good at? Your friends can help you with this project, too. Often our friends know us better than we know ourselves. Next, go on LinkedIn and Indeed, and browse job ads. Browse LinkedIn profiles, too. The question you’re looking to answer is, what career direction should I head in next? That’s the first step. Before you begin looking for a new job, you have to zero in on your new career direction. That way, you can brand yourself powerfully for the job you want – not any job you could perform.

People often skip this step while this step is the most important one. They should bring all their expertise, skills and experience to the table as well as their improvement areas while considering their career options. Then they can create a personal SWOT analysis. Doing this is not actually too hard or complicated. If they struggle to do this, they can even receive feedback from their surroundings, like their ex-managers, colleagues, customers, suppliers and so on. They can benefit from personality assessment tests as well.

Knowing our goals and profile we want to be in is very important and starting points. This will help us to apply for relevant profiles and prepare ourselves accordingly.

Paula Cohen, Assistant Director, Career Development, Brooklyn College (Retired) Mark Twain said it best: "The two most important days in your life are the day you are born, and the day you find out why." What's your purpose in life? Why are you here? Transition isn't only a matter of changing your career; it's also about finding out what's crucial to your life's goal. What is it that gives you the greatest joy? Is it helping other people find out who they're supposed to be and what they're supposed to do with their lives so they can not only fulfill themselves but make the world better? That's not only a transition for you; it's a transition for many others, as well. Help others find themselves -- what were they put here for?

So-called knowledge worker jobs have much more in common with one another then we may think at first. If you’ve done one office job, you can do a lot of other jobs as well. What holds most career changers back is a lack of confidence. They feel that all of their credibility comes from their past industry or function. Actually, your credibility comes from your understanding of people and the working world. The more you know about your new, chosen career path, the more you will see the intersections between what your new path requires, and what you’ve done already.

I've always loved 2 things: writing and assisting people. Helping people find what revs them up, fulfills them, makes them feel as if they're achieving something wonderful makes ME feel wonderful. I started in Human Resources, and after 8 pleasant years, transitioned into Career Coaching which is how I spent my next 17 years...and loved every minute of them. Helping people find who they were and what would make them feel as good as I did when I went to work every day was my reason for being alive. I was contributing to the happiness and success of my fellow humans, and what could be more rewarding than that?

Think about career transition as a two-step process rather than a single leap. It may be easier to initially shift either your industry or your job function rather than both at once. Be open to bridge roles where you can bring direct experience to the table in some respects while learning the skills you need to move toward your ultimate goal. And don’t overlook opportunities to make the first transition step at your current organization where you already have equity and can build on existing relationships. Most of all, try to take some of the pressure off yourself and reframe your transition as a learning opportunity. Give yourself the space to reflect and observe.

People make me laugh. My skill is giving that laughter back perhaps because by making the unexpected comment. And making myself laugh at the absurdity of life around me. Timing is everything and suffering is optional! In my opinion.

Working as Work-based learning and Emploability Officer has exposed me to the world of technical and vocational education and training. This hands-on experience allows me to thoroughly research and understand the dynamics of my target industry, particularly regarding the labor market and private sector needs. By enhancing TVET capacity and creating partnerships, I've gained insights into how industries operate, making it easier for me to identify potential employers and opportunities in my new career.

First, ask your friends and people you know (aka ‘networking’). Maybe one of them did it at some point and can help you. If not, see if they know anyone you could speak with. If they do, ask for an intro. If you end up talking, ask for their advice. - How did they start out their career? - What did they do after that? - Did they ever move out of the industry and then back in? - How long did it take them to reach this dream role? - Did they do anything unconventional along the way? - How did they write their CV/resume?

Working closely with a team of colleagues with their own original ideas, ideals, and goals, discussing and dissecting them, contributes to the many different thoughts and concepts the students can spin for themselves in their own minds and build upon for their individual careers. Small groups can work together; students can work alone or in committees on projects. You can hold classes and seminars, give quizzes, and ask for papers on specific subjects -- the ways of keeping the students busy and interested are endless. They feed each other's interests, introducing new visions.

Building relationships with various stakeholders in my previous roles has taught me the value of networking. I can leverage this skill to strategically connect with professionals in my new field. The most networking event I successful organizing was to bring together the individuals from ICT background and entrepreneurs from business background alongside with private sectors to discuss digital transformation and entrepreneurship, which lead to network many of the individuals to work and have experience with the private sector.

A career changer may have a tough time applying for jobs through the traditional method – career portals, and online applications. They are not likely to have many of the “essential requirement” specified in a job ad, the ones résumé screeners will be looking for Read about my Pain Letter (TM) approach - a way to bypass HR and the applicant tracking system and reach out to hiring managers directly. Any job seeker needs to think about the type of pain they saw, and the pain points for hiring manager is likely to be struggling against. This goes double for career changers, but once you have a bead on the pain you solve you are halfway to your goal.

Relevance is key. This hold true when applying for any new opportunity. Remember, the first page of your resume isn't just an introduction—it's your elevator pitch. It should instantly show how well you fit the specific role. If it doesn’t, it's time to recalibrate. Another item to consider: Your resume should speak the language of the job description. Pinpoint exactly what the role calls for and demonstrate how your skills align with those needs. No fluff, only substance. Here's some hard truth: You’re probably up against candidates with similar qualifications. The difference maker? How well your resume communicates your relevance for the role.

As I wrote above I had spent time making effort to establish as a public speaker and a reader and a writer to become visible and only then I applied for a transfer to L&D that too by giving a hint through a poem to our MD and then getting an opportunity to meet and share about my passion. He asked me to apply and well, can there be a more effective way? You must take every step diligently.. RS

Job hunting, especially for career changers, can be challenging. To stand out, focus on highlighting transferable skills, relevant achievements, and your passion for the new field in your application materials. Tailor your resume, cover letter, and online profiles to match industry standards, using keywords and formats that resonate with employers. As an Employability Coach, I've learned that job seekers must update their applications with accurate details. I emphasize highlighting skills and providing clear evidence of past work quickly (This can be a drive link, github, elc.). This helps employers see the value and can lead to faster responses and interviews.

And, of course, students who are exploring careers, even in the same classroom, are probably looking at a wide range of different professions, roles, jobs, and circumstances that fascinate each one in a thrilling way. One might dream of nursing, another working with addicts and the homeless, a third becoming an opera singer or ballet dancer. It's a vast world out there with so many things to do and so many people to help and/or entertain to brighten people's lives.

Choose your most relevant stories to share at interviews. Years ago I had a client who had run an animal shelter. She moved to a new state and found that it would be almost impossible to get a job running an animal shelter as the number two, three and even four leaders in each shelter were identified years ahead of time. She was really good at operations and managing busy environments with lots of people. So, she focused on call center management jobs. She sent a Pain Letter (TM) to the VP of Ops for a company with several call centers. In her letter she said, “I managed 45 staff and 60 volunteers in an environment punctuated by snarls, yelps and barks – and then there were the animals.” She got the job. ??

You can talk about your transferable skills and experience. “I know from the job description you’re looking for [x]. I did something similar in my last role [and then use the STAR format].” You can talk about the ‘networking’ conversations you’ve had. “I spoke to a few people who do this role and they said some of the challenges are [x]. In my last role, [and then use the STAR format].” You can talk about how your current industry differs from this new one. “I did some research and asked a few people about the challenges of the industry. I found out they were [x].” You could then ask the hiring manager if they agree or if they’ve had a similar or different experience.

But a vastly important part of preparing for your career is making certain that you know it from the ground up: the language, the way the industry functions, the ways of moving up in each field, and most particularly presenting yourself as someone who knows all the aspects of their profession inside out. Yes, think for a moment or two before answering a question, but know precisely what your answer should be. Be relevant in your answers, choose your words carefully, be serious when that's called for, add a touch of humor if warranted, and always be professional. Look engaged, even excited. Show that you not only want the position but that you'd be excellent at it. And have intelligent questions to ask at the end of the interview.

Think of it like getting ready for a big game. As an Employability Coach, I tell job seekers to prepare for the interview just like athletes prepare for a match. It's similar to studying for a test. We work on practicing answers to common questions, just like students study for exams. Imagine you're telling a story. During the interview, you want to share your enthusiasm for the job, just like you'd share an exciting story with friends. Lastly, it's like making a good impression on a new friend. Politeness and friendly communication go a long way, just like being polite when meeting someone new.

As a coach, I gave classes in interviewing and worked individually with students, explaining the critical importance of knowing how to express their strengths, projects, successes, and the value they brought to the places they volunteered for, worked for, managed, or owned. Telling lively stories with successful endings grabs the interviewers' attention and shows them how well the applicant will fit the position for which they're applying. A potential employer wants to know, "How can you help me succeed?" Why else would they want to hire you?

This is important: If they want to pay you less because you don’t have industry experience, ask them if they interviewed other candidates, who DO have industry experience. Yes, they will say, of course we did. And you still want to give me the job? Yes, we do. Great! So, in the end, I guess industry experience is not the most important qualification? Well… I need to start this job with a vote of total confidence, of course. If you choose to hire me over people with industry experience, I should receive the full salary, of course. Do you agree? I have never seen this approach fail. Rock on!

Know your strengths. Don't brag; just demonstrate your successes. And know what you're worth by how you've helped others to succeed. Study the going market salary rate for the field, industry, or profession you're going into, and be prepared to negotiate confidently for a fair and satisfying compensation. Practice negotiating with mentors in your field until you sound thoroughly experienced and professional. And always sound engaged, pleasant, and friendly - the kind of person a hiring manager wants on his or her staff. Good relationships put the crown on any endeavor!

Think of it like buying a new phone and see a job offer as a package deal, not just a price tag. Consider what comes with the job, like benefits and opportunities, just as you'd consider features when buying a phone You should know your value, you may ask about salary scale of job position you applying for. Ask someone who knows someone to know about salary that you may have. Negotiating is about fair deal for both of you. When it's time to leave your old job, it's like saying goodbye to friends. You want to do it gracefully, just like how you'd leave a party thanking the host. Maintaining good relationships with your old boss and colleagues is like staying in touch with old friends. It can lead to your career journey smoother

Do a LinkedIn search for people who are doing your ‘dream role’ or whatever role you want to transition into. Connect with them, especially if they transferred role or industry at some point (a surprising amount of people have). Then message them. You could say something like: “Hi [name]. Saw you got into the [x] industry with no previous [industry] experience. That’s so cool and I’d love to do the same. Do you have a few words of wisdom for me? It would be great to hear from you but even if I don’t, thanks for reading this and have a great day.” Whatever message you send, make sure it’s short, personal, and plays into the mentor / mentee dynamic. Or, put another way, it’s written in a way that makes them feel good and want to reply.

When it comes to prepare your application for a job. Revise it carefully and follow instruction in how applying the job. For examples, employers may ask you to prepare your resume in word file and name it as "Firstname.Lastname.Jobtitle.resume", others will ask a pdf file with same way of name the file. Just follow the instruction to prepare your application. Note that if employers ask you to sent your application through email, just send a brief and a letter to mention about the job you are applying for and attach the documents. For fresh graduates, know the door and ask employers if you can join their team. There are many strategies to do so such as sending email to ask about opportunities and/or by visiting them at their offices.

Mingle with people who do the kinds of work you're interested in. They may not be in your field or profession, but if you like music, make friends with musicians. Do the same with artists, scientists, people in show business, Wall Street, education - anything that catches your fancy. You may find yourself able to blend what you've done with a new line of work that never occurred to you before. And wouldn't that be a great way to change a career?