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An ongoing series of helpful tips/articles.
How To Change Careers: A Guide
Feeling stuck in your career? Overwhelmed at the thought of having to start over? You’re not alone! Career change is a big decision.
It’s often that people experience impostor syndrome at some point in their career, a sense of unbelonging. But does it call for switching your career, or does it go away with time as you gain confidence in your ability to do the job?
Changing careers is overwhelming, but if you don’t make the right decision at the right time, you risk spending an undefined period in misery. It’s important to know how to go about your future when you decide that it’s time for a change.
Here are 10 practical steps on how to shift careers, driven with purpose and strategy!
Reflection
Before you decide to take the step, you must truly understand the root of your desire. Why do you want to change careers? And more importantly, what do you want in your next role?
When you answer these “whys”, you’ll gain a sense of clarity, and you’ll be able to move forward with a set goal instead of mindlessly approaching this change. You’ll be able to stay committed, too, knowing what’s driving your decision.
Skillset
To begin the job hunt, you need to understand what you do best and what fields you can shift these to. Skills like communication, project management, or problem-solving are needed in almost every industry.
Make a list of all your strengths and how they apply to your desired role!
Research
The fun begins here, you start looking for job titles that excite you. Read job descriptions. Take notes on qualifications and growth opportunities!
Using sites like LinkedIn or Glassdoor helps the process. You can even connect with people on LinkedIn who are already in the role you aspire to be in. It’ll help you understand what the job demands, and in what ways you could become a better fit! Connections can also help you open doors to opportunities.
Fill in the gaps
If you are already qualified for the job, that’s great! But if you aren’t, you can take advantage of online learning! Once you know the skills you’re missing, you can easily bridge the gap by taking courses online. They’re often affordable, sometimes free as well.
Use resources like Coursera, Udemy, and LinkedIn Learning for a head start! YouTube tutorials can also be extremely helpful.
Network
In today’s job market, your skillset is important (no doubt), but networking can open doors that your skills might not. With so much talent emerging, you need to network to help gain recognition. Cold texts and emails are one way to go; this will get your foot in the door!
Maximize your readiness by understanding what your desired role requires at its core.
Experience
Projects, projects, projects! Build a portfolio by working on projects or volunteering to help make up for a lack of direct experience.
UX design? Redesign a website! Digital marketing? Offer to manage social media for local cafes! Graphic designer? Create branding kits for a mock company! Data analysis? Use public data sets to run your analysis!
Resume
Now, update your resume to showcase your relevant achievements and experience. Your resume needs to work for two audiences, humans and ATS. Most recruiters don’t even look at resumes that don't pass their ATS!
Make sure it has a clear summary and is formatted clearly (no images to ensure proper parsing).
Apply with a strategy
Don’t aim for perfection, start applying as soon as possible! Tailor every cover letter to highlight your motivation to change careers. Show your willingness to learn. Highlight how your past roles help you be a better fit for the job.
Prepare
Now that you’ve made it to the interview, you’ll need to prepare to tell interviewers what drove your career shift. Don’t be pessimistic! Answer honestly, but make sure to focus on the value you bring and your adaptability.
Practice! Start talking to yourself, and work till you’re confident in your storytelling!
Take the leap
Once you land your job, pat yourself on the back! Most people live their entire life in an unfulfilling career out of fear of having to start from scratch, but you did it! You had faith in yourself and what the future holds for you.
Career transitions are a series of ongoing developments, and you learn something new every day.
Changing careers is tough, but ABSOLUTELY doable. With a thought-out plan, a supportive coach, and a strong resume, nothing can stop you! The average person may change careers multiple times throughout their life.
We hope this blog helped you gain confidence in your journey. Hold your head up high, tackle it one step at a time. Share this blog with someone you know who’s planning on making a big change!
December Is The Perfect Time To Get A New Job!
Happy December 1st Everyone!
Did you know that over the holidays is one of the best times to start searching for a new job? Most job seekers make the mistake of being complacent and putting off looking for a new job until the first of the year. Meanwhile, the competition has already gotten the job that you really wanted.
There are two reasons for this. First, many hiring managers have hiring budgets they have to use before the year ends, or they lose a chance to add to their staff.
The second reason is most executives are back in town since year-end meetings are over making it easier for all decision makers in the interview process to convene and conduct interviews faster so that they can have someone in place to start by January.
So in-between all of holidays parties, shopping, etc...take a look at your resume and make sure it is market-ready for you to start taking massive action and apply to jobs! If your resume needs to be updated, we help you get it ready quickly. And for those of you that don't know what you want to do next or be when you grow up, our career coaches can help you, too!
Wishing all of you Happy Holidays! Let's finish this year out strong so that you have a new job as your Christmas present!
Rev Up With Networking and Referral Partners by Patti Keating, Entrepreneur Unleashed
Power Networking
13 Strategies for Building Connection
1. Have a pre-game plan and a goal for each event
• Establish the number of people you want to talk to prior to attending the event
• Watch the news 30 minutes prior to the event so that you are up on the latest local, state and
national information
• Prepare your wardrobe
• Practice your greeting in the mirror
• Walk with confidence
• Develop Executive Presence
• Listen to inspiring music before you arrive
• Imagine yourself being powerful as you walk into the room
Example:
I will talk with 10 people, exchange business cards with 5 people, and I will schedule a lunch or breakfast
with at least 2 people.
2. Develop a strong opening line
Example:
Good Morning. I would like to introduce myself. My name is and I'm with (The name of your company.)
2. Practice your handshake
• Firm not crushing
• Extend your right hand to meet the other person's right hand
• Extend your hand first
• Grasp the hand firmly and squeeze gently once. Remember that limp handshakes are a big turn-off
• Hold the handshake for 2 to 3 seconds
• Pump the hand up and down 2-3 times to show sincerity
4. Dress for success
Women
• Solid color, conservative suit
• Coordinated blouse
• Moderate shoes
• Limited jewelry
• Neat, professional hairstyle
• Tan or light hosiery
• Sparse make-up & perfume
• Manicured nails
• Portfolio or briefcase
• Bold scarf for impact
• Or what is appropriate for your industry
Men
• Solid color, conservative suit
• White long sleeve shirt
• Conservative tie or bold/novelty tie for impact
• Dark socks, professional shoes
• Very limited jewelry
• Neat, professional hairstyle
• Go easy on the aftershave/cologne
• Neatly trimmed nails
• Portfolio or briefcase
5. Develop an effective and memorable introduction
• Hello. My name is John Smith, and I am an attorney who works with high-risk physicians who never
want to be sued for malpractice.
• Hello. My name is Susan James. I am a chiropractor who specializes in helping golfers with back
problems live pain free.
• Hello. My name is Bill Parker. I am a real estate broker who helps homebuyers find the home of
their dreams.
(All introductions are edgy, yet they deliver a solution to a problem. People will raise their eyebrow
in curiosity, yet they will remember you.)
6. Do your homework on the event
• Call the director of the event in advance to find out the key details
• Visit the website of the sponsoring organization
• Request a copy of the annual plan or basic business plan
• Ask your friends, family and colleagues what they know about the organization
7. Design a list of conversation questions
Examples:
• What brought you to this event?
• This seems like a lively group. How long have you been a member?
• Do you live in the area?
• Tell me a little bit about what you do?
• Do you have children?
• What local activities have you found to be interesting?
8. Arrive early
It is best to arrive about five minutes early to a networking event so that you can check out the room
and to meet the coordinator of the event. Look at the room to consider where people might hang out
(other than the food table).
9. Work the room
• Be assertive
• Extend your hand for a handshake first
• Know what you want (relationship building is the key here. If you are meeting people simply to get
clients, you will be viewed as someone who takes?not who gives to others).
• Be curious. Ask questions of other people. People love to talk about their own lives.
• Curb the desperation and listen. If you appear desperate for clients, people will not want to work
with you.
• Avoid bragging and talking about your own successes. People don?t care how much you know until
they know how much you care.
• Look for opportunities to join additional groups and organizations whose interests match your own.
• Practice third party networking (you introduce 2 people who will have something in common).
10. Introduce yourself to the speaker or contact individual for the event
Even the speaker and the main contact are nervous. Take the time to introduce yourself and find out how
you can be of assistance.
11. Schedule at least 3 one-on-one meetings during the event
It is important to qualify your one on one meetings, meaning that you want appointments with people
who understand the power of networking and who may have access to a larger network of people who
want your services. If you make an appointment with someone who only wants your business with no
intention of sending leads, the partnership will never work.
12. Develop an exit strategy
Create a list of statements you will use in order to move from one conversation to the next.
• I so enjoyed talking with you and learning about your business. Enjoy the rest of the
evening/morning/afternoon.
• It was great meeting you. I would love the opportunity to continue our discussion over lunch.
• Excuse me please. There is someone I need to speak with before she leaves. I enjoyed spending
time with you, and I look forward to seeing you at the next networking event.
13. Follow-up with the most interesting people through:
• Thank-you notes
• Telephone calls
• One on one appointments
• Packets sent by mail
• Remember always have something to invite people to attend
Networking Action Planner
Name of Event: ___________________________
Date: ___________________________________
Before you attend a networking event, answer the following questions:
What is your pre-game plan and goal for this networking event?
What is your opening line?
On a scale of 1-10, how effective is your handshake?
On a scale of 1-10, how professional is your wardrobe?
How effective is your introduction?
What are 3 things you know about the organization hosting the event?
What are 3 topics of conversation you will use during the event?
What time will you arrive to the event?
How many people do you want to meet?
How many people do you want to follow up with?
What is your plan for following up with people after the event?
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