How to Break into a New Industry

Over the last six months, the job market has radically transformed, reducing work in some sectors while creating opportunities in unexpected ways. Nearly 25 million people in the U.S. are back on the job search, involuntarily or otherwise, with a large portion of these job seekers now needing to switch into new industries to stay relevant. “Re-launchers,” as we like to call them, can often feel daunted at the idea of re-branding themselves, and may find it challenging to make the connections between past and potential roles. Here are some common questions we ask when speaking with career re-launchers:nbsp;What transferable skills can you market to employers?Career changes are common in today’s market; few people will have linear transitions anymore. But while your title may change, your past credentials don’t disappear or become irrelevant. Each position has given you valuable, transferable skills. What matters more is how you market them.Recommendation:nbsp;On a piece of paper, map out your career over two to three-year increments. For each period on your timeline, list the critical skills you gained or strengthened in each role.nbsp;Be sure to include different projects you worked on, any recognition you received, promotions, training, internships, or even relevant volunteer projects you completed.nbsp;See if you can find a time where you received little training and had to rely on prior skills and expertise.nbsp;Then, see how you might leverage these skills to solve challenges you could expect to come across in your desired role.nbsp;What is driving you to make a career change? How strong is your motivation to make the change?Given the current economic climate, it may be out of necessity that you are considering a change, or perhaps our new remote world has brought to light new opportunities. Understanding the reason behind this shift will keep you motivated. Moreover, it will be a factor for decision-makers who are considering hiring you as a non-traditional candidate. According to career coach and author ofnbsp;Switchers, Dr. Dawn Graham, if you aren’t clear about your motivation or give a generic answer about why you’re pursuing this new career path, your chances of being hired decrease significantly.nbsp;Recommendation:nbsp;Map out a logical and insightful response to the question, “Why do you want to make this change?” Though you may be transitioning due to necessity, try to find a deeper, more meaningful reason that will resonate with potential employers.Include the concrete steps you’ve already taken to demonstrate your commitment to this new career path. For example, have you been investing in your education? Did you complete a certification?nbsp;Next, show how the transferable skills you’ve built translate into adding real value in this new career. The goal is to demonstrate and communicate that you understand the key pain points in the new role, so be specific!Have clarity around how this next role will influence your longer-term career goals so you can communicate that while networking or interviewing.nbsp;How do you plan to make connections in this new industry?Your chances of being hired increase exponentially if you can leverage contacts in your desired industry. But this can be incredibly difficult if your network is restricted to your previous roles.nbsp;Recommendation:Tap into your university’s alumni networks. Most universities have a dedicated alumni/career office where you can find relevant connections. Affiliated LinkedIn groups are also a great way to re-engage with your fellow alumni.Identify organizations that support career re-launchers. Some examples include iRelaunch, and Careershifters.Try to set up virtual informational sessions via LinkedIn with professionals whose positions interest you, to learn more about their responsibilities and challenges. This outreach will give you a detailed picture of what you might expect in a similar role.nbsp;Have you updated your materials (résumé, cover letter, LinkedIn profile) to reflect your transferable skills?Selling yourself as an undeniable fit—especially when you lack the same experience as your competition—means explaining where you’ve been, based on where you want to go. And this may take more than shifting some wording around to show employers you’ve got what they need.nbsp;Consider having your resume refreshed by a Certified Résumé Writer. These professionals are cross-functionally trained and can make sure your materials help you stand out to maximize your career opportunities.nbsp;Remember to set small daily goals, celebrate little wins, and look back at your progress periodically.nbsp;Proving your credibility and competence in a new field may seem daunting, but by knowing and articulating your strengths, you can effectively network and position yourself as a viable candidate.nbsp;SourcesGraham, Dawn. “How MBAs Overcome the Top 10 Challenges of Career Change.” YouTube. Jun. 27, 2018.nbsp;https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BpOrbihSfiYCohen, Carol. “10 Return to Work Tips for Relaunchers During the COVID-19 Health Crisis.iRelaunch. https://www.irelaunch.com/blog-COVID-19Simon, Cecilia. “Where Career Changers Go: Five Top Choices.” New York Times. Nov. 6, 2005. https://www.nytimes.com/2005/11/06/us/education/where-career-changers-go-five-top-choices.htmlBreuer, Erica. “This Is How You Spin 1 Resume for 5 Different Industries.” themuse. https://www.themuse.com/advice/this-is-how-you-spin-1-resume-for-5-different-industries