In this day and age, people change jobs daily, especially now that there are more (and better) jobs to be had. But, what happens when you decide that you want a better job in a different field?
Though this is extremely difficult to pull off, there are a few ways to do this and be successful in it. Here are a few ways to make your transition into a new field easier and more successful.
Think about why you want to change
A really important step to this change is determining why you want to change. Is it your boss? You may want to consider if it is worth changing a job and an industry because of a bad boss. But, if you feel that this industry is not a great fit for you, and that you may have a better impact at another company and in another industry, this may be the perfect reason to try to change fields.
Figure out your skills
So, you may not have a ton of experience in Denver in Systems Administrator jobs, but you do have experience working as an administrator over another part of a company. Highlight that aspect of your skill set when applying for this job. Another great way to get started on this is to “take inventory” of all of your skills from past experiences, jobs, and education. If you once took a class concerning system administration, it would be a great idea to mention that. If you took a job in sales, it may not be a great idea to mention that. Basically, you’ll want to find all of the skills that will transfer over into this new position and emphasise them.
Tailor your resume
With your inventory of skills, decide which skills will transfer over and emphasise those in your resume. Make your resume unique, showing that you have the ability to work in many different fields, and that you have a great skill of adapting to new situations and new positions. By emphasising the skills that match your new field, you will have a much better opportunity to get the new position in the new field.
Cover letter
Another important aspect to your application is your cover letter. Explain your reasons for wanting to change, and make your cover letter stick out with your top skills that match this new position. Be sure to explain things that aren’t already included in your resume. Also, be sure to add a lot of information about the company and why you would thrive in that type of environment.
Network
Lastly, one of the most important aspects of changing industries is to network with people from that same industry. Networking is one of the most effective ways to land a job, especially a job in a new field.
Go to events that are in your preferred industry and connect with people on LinkedIn that may be able to help you get that desired position. Though this will help you to find a job in that field, it will also help you determine if you’ll like working in that industry.
You may even want to shadow someone in the position to see what they do on an average day. This will definitely help you see what working in this industry would be like on a day to day basis.
So, whether you are looking for a position in your town or a starting position in a far away city, follow these few steps, and you’ll be able to find your next job—and hopefully something you’ll love.
By Cleo G.
