What are the top strategies for changing careers?

Don't run away from something, move towards something. Is your current situation, in which you may have invested your education and some years in your career that untenable? Would a move to another company make a difference? Would a conversation with your management lead to more interesting opportunities? We take ourselves with ourselves wherever we go. If the core issue is you--and perhaps an inability to ask for what you need--that you goes with you wherever you go.

? Bet on yourself!! In the last leg of my work career I followed my passion to change careers and the experience has been both enriching and highly challenging at the same time. The experience of the new colleagues, staff, jargon, protocol and stakeholders, put you in the position of being tested on your ability to do the work and to perform. However, a commitment to good leadership development and understanding the short and long-term goals helps you not be frustrated or default to the comfort level of what I know instead of stretching to what I don’t know. Added confidence and skills transfer is essential especially in leadership and it’s okay to redo!!??????????

I talk to a lot of software developers and other tech professionals. Nine times out of ten they don't even know what their problem actually is. Oh, it's a resume, or it's my LinkedIn, oh it's my technical skills. The truth is you can't read the label on the bottle from the inside of the bottle! It's the same with your career. Sometimes you just need someone to help you assess the situation.

Most of my clients know what they DON'T want anymore. What they DO WANT is another story: it takes time and willingness to 'dig deep' to make a list of 5 things you want from your next job. And the toughest part is to make a hierarchy, because there is a big chance that during the interviews you will need to compromise. So out of those 5 you WANT, which are the ones that are NON-NEGOTIABLE?

Draw the parallels between your accomplishments and how they are relevant for the position. It is not the responsibility of the person reading your resume to figure out your “transferable skills”. If you have led teams, managed a budget, facilitated presentations, etc. for one industry, you can use those same talents in a completely different industry, role, or field. I have helped over 800 individuals change their careers, and the key is to connect the dots for the employer, target your resume to the job you are applying to and write an amazing cover letter. Of course, you also want to have a professional LinkedIn profile and do extensive practice for your interviews, so that you can tell your relevant stories and examples.

Here's what I always recommend: The people with whom you will work have as much to do with your workplace satisfaction as the work itself. Get to know those who are drawn to that industry/function. Attend as many events as you can where you would meet your potential future colleagues---from association meetings to industry events to networking events. Ask yourself: Do you see yourself working with these people? Do their values align with yours?

You should start with secondary research on company career pages and LinkedIn profile before you start networking. You want to be able to dive deep into questions that can't be answered through basic research.

Try something new. I mean really try it out. Give it a test ride. Be open to new experiences. If there is a business or line of work that is peaking your interest give it a good look. And if you can, spend some time with the people already doing it.

Treat your career change like an exciting adventure. Picture yourself as Indiana Jones, fedora tilted and whip at the ready, embarking on a grand adventure into the uncharted territories of career exploration. The world is your oyster, filled with hidden treasures and untapped potential. But unlike Indy's quest for ancient artifacts, your expedition is to uncover the hidden gems of your professional destiny.

To enhance your job search strategy: * Start by conducting thorough research into your local job market. * Identify industries with strong prospects that align with your interests. * Research reputable companies within these sectors. * Create a comprehensive list of potential employers that pique your interest. Start networking with individuals in those organizations to gain insights that will help you understand how to transfer your skills & experiences By following this step-by-step approach, you'll be well-prepared for a successful job search.

Complete a gap analysis based on the job description. Identify your current skills to determine if they are transferable to a new field. You can then identify your needs for training & development.

Don't build an ark, if what you really need is a cabin. If your goal is, e..g, a role in finance, research what educational requirements there are in finance. If your goal is to move from finance to an executive role in a not for profit, identify those who have done so by leveraging Linkedin.

You will have a difficult time telling your story (marketing yourself) if you don't have solid documentation. You should be keeping a "Great Things I Do" log where each day you add what you did that day. It doesn't have to be complicated nor ground-breaking. You will be amazed after a period of time when you look back and realize all of the little things you do add up! ??

Before investing in new courses or certifications to acquire skills and qualifications, consult professionals in your target industry for recommendations. This ensures you acquire skills genuinely in demand in your chosen field.

My definition of a Skill is acquired knowledge- 'a gift the world has given you', vs your Talents which are inherent, and therefore 'a gift you give the world.' A growing successful career draws on both. Don't focus only on your acquired knowledge at the risk of knowing and accessing what is inherent to you.

1. Build a Strong Foundation: Start by ensuring you have a well-crafted CV and LinkedIn profile. Pay attention to every detail to create a positive first impression. 2. Stay Visible: Connect with others and grow your network, actively engage, and speak about your value proposition. Provide pro bono advise. 3. Commitment and Focus: Stay focused and be prepared to face rejection. Being resilient and determined will help you overcome obstacles along the way. 4. Be Proactive: Take the initiative to reach out to recruiters and headhunters specializing in your field of interest regularly. Not only randomly, but daily until you land. By following these strategies, you can strengthen your chances of successfully landing jobs faster.

I went from business intelligence to retained executive search in these steps: 6 months of speaking to anyone who would speak to me about executive search. Creating a list of the top retained search firms. Creating a product that would expedite the search process. Cold calling into those firms and saying: If you'll give me 20 minutes, I'll give you this product. 25 calls, 12 meetings, 1 off for a contractual role. Don't just market your qualities and your success in your prior role. Market how you can make those in your desired industry or role more successful.

Tell Your Story! Better yet, learn how to tell a better story on any topic. We have lost the art of storytelling but you need to be good at it to get attention.

Visibility creates opportunities; never before has there been a more exciting - and overwhelming time - to craft a strong online brand. Using the 'Recommendations' section on LinkedIn strategically is a free tool available to everyone - and there is no reason for not building your credibility and authority there. 1. Customize your request for a recommendation. 2. Run the numbers - ask for more than you need. 3. Give before you Get- you can never have too many or give too many recommendations. 4. Be authentic and specific in those that you give. Now, who's heading to their profile recommendation section?

Prepare yourself financially. To move from one industry to another may require a pay cut. It may require a step back in title. It may require swallowing your pride, and taking what you can get...but doing so with a long term perspective.

This is an important part of managing transition into a new career. Do your research because I did take a pay cut to enter into the career and it turned out to be a big mistake. I recommend highly that if you are moving or transitioning into a career that you do, all that you can to know about it before you commit.

Changing careers takes time, effort, and patience. Being realistic, about the timeline and the challenges, helps in facing the setbacks with positivity and confidence. Start by reflecting on what truly excites you. Talk to others working in the desired field. This helps in managing your expectations, adjusting your actions (acquiring additional skills or knowledge) and building your new network. Gain practical experience through part-time jobs or freelance work. Identify your transferable skills and highlight them on your resume and during discussions. Prepare financially, set aside savings to cover any financial gaps during the transition. Stay persistent yet agile: remain open to learning from your experiences and adapt your actions.

To make a well-informed career move, it's crucial to evaluate the new opportunity and organization holistically. Consider factors such as: Leadership: Who are the leaders in the organization, and what is their track record? Employee Turnover: Research the organization's employee turnover rate. A high turnover rate may indicate underlying issues that could affect your job satisfaction and long-term prospects. Financial Stability: Investigate the organization's financial stability and growth potential. t. Additional Benefits: Compare the benefits you currently enjoy with those offered by the new organization. Consider perks like healthcare, retirement plans, professional development opportunities, and more.

Changing careers is easier said than done. It is important to itemize your current skill-set and experience and assess whether there is a connection between your skills and the roles that interest you in the new field(s) you are choosing to pursue. If there are not any connections, this can make a change in careers very difficult especially if your only recourse is to start in an entry-level position in the new field in order to gain foundational experience. Also, maybe you don’t have to change careers rather than just changing jobs in your current field. Perhaps, you start on a new trajectory/ladder in the same field. Be pragmatic when making the decision to change careers!

Pause, breath, and see what is around you. In a time where screens are everywhere, we may miss the chance to look around and learn. There is a story that never gets old: "In a forest town, David challenged Old Tom, a legendary woodchopper, to a contest. Old Tom took breaks to recharge, savoring life's moments. In the end, Old Tom's pile was bigger, teaching David that life's victories are about balance and enjoying the journey, not just rushing to the finish."

You own your career- the company owns the job. Take the role of true ownership over your career and you will never stop learning and growing. Own it.

ABL - Always Be Learning Make it a habit. Allocate time each week. If you say (or hear others say) ," I don't have time," then switch your thinking to understand that we all get 24 hours each day. No one gets more or less. Understand that you choose how to allocate your time and then see how you can reallocate time to learn. Don't wait for others to direct you.

I recommend the podcast "Happen To Your Career" hosted by Scott Anthony Barlow to my coaching clients. It showcases interviews with individuals who have effectively transitioned careers, along with insights from experts offering guidance on navigating a career change.

Quit chasing the dollar. Instead, follow what's fascinating and motivating to you. When you do, the contributions you make to others will begin to grow exponentially. The financial rewards will follow. Most important, you'll be excited about life and you'll be happy.

Once you’ve decided to change careers, and you’ve taken the steps to make it happen, never look back. Embrace the new journey and build your skills and experience, but also bring what you learned before forward. While it may have been a different industry, all of your relationship management and leadership experience translates and strengthens your value in your new career. A friend of mine left a marketing career to develop her own business helping developmentally challenged people through horses/animals. She obtained the therapist certifications and her people and marketing skills were especially helpful as she built her new business on her farm.