Career change tips

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Top 3 Reasons Why People Want To Change Careers (And Tips For How To Make The Transition)

There are many reasons why people want to change careers. But can you guess the top three reasons why a professional might consider a career change today? What is the driving force behind making such a big life decision?

A recent FlexJobs survey announced the common reasons why people are changing careers. Here are the top three, and tips for how to successfully make a career change.

Why People Want To Change Careers

Based on the FlexJobs survey mentioned above, these are the top three reasons for wanting to change careers:

Better work-life balance (56%)
Higher pay (50%)
More meaningful or fulfilling career (49%)

Better Work-Life Balance vs. Higher Pay: What Would You Choose?

Man holding laptop happy at work after changing careers

If you want to make a career change, you're probably doing so for at least one of the top three reasons listed above. What's most surprising about this survey is that the top reason professionals are changing careers is because they want a better work-life balance, beating out the desire for higher pay by 6%.

Another interesting finding is that two out of the top three reasons why people want to change careers aren't based on money or benefits or any other career advancement factors. They are based on personal growth and fulfillment.

Even though we are often told throughout our lives that money can't buy happiness, it seems as though more and more people are taking this advice to heart and are realizing that a higher salary would not make them happier; having the time and space to do what they truly love and focus on what really matters would.

Think about it. If you wake up in the morning feeling miserable and dreading work, it's most likely because you do not have anything in your life that excites youânothing that sparks joy or gives your life meaning or purpose. When you think about the day ahead, you're not looking forward to anything. How do you solve this problem? Well, if you change careers, you could achieve a better work-life balance, which would give you time to pursue hobbies and interests outside of work. You could also find a job that excites you, working for a company with a mission you're passionate about, where the work has a purpose and it feels fulfilling. Does a higher salary have more value than that? Most career changers say no.

So, why are you (or why would you be) motivated to change careers? For better work-life balance? Or for higher pay? If you had to pick one, which sounds more appealing?

5 Tips For Successfully Changing Careers

It's important to have a strategy in place when you decide to change careers. Making a career change isn't easy, but there are certain things you can do to increase your chances of success. Here are five tips for successfully changing careers:

1. Inventory your skills

What are your transferable skills? What other skills do you have that are in demand in your target career and industry? Write them down, and make sure to include them on your LinkedIn profile.

2. Create a bucket list of companies that you want to work for

Are you passionate about a company's product or service? Do you connect with an organization's mission or values? What companies would you love to work for? Write those down too. This is your interview bucket list, and it is essential for all job seekers, not just career changers.

3. Make new connections

It's true. In your job search, it's all about who you know. If you want to successfully change careers, you'll have to step up your networking efforts. Connect with people at your dream companies from your interview bucket list and start a conversation with them on LinkedIn. Then, be sure to consistently offer value to your professional network. You never know who will contact you with a job opportunity.

4. Update your resume

Write a targeted resume with your ideal career in mind. Focus on your transferable skills and quantifying your work experience. Also, be sure to customize your resume for each position that you apply for. An optimized resume is invaluable, especially for career changers.

5. Be ready to tell your story

The most important tool in your job search as a career changer is a disruptive cover letter, which will allow you to tell your story and stand out to employers. Storytelling is incredibly powerful. In order to successfully change careers, you need to connect with the companies you're applying to and the people who work at those companiesâand the best, most effective way to do this is by telling a compelling story.

As a professional, you've probably thought about changing careers at some point in your life, either seriously or just out of curiosity. Nowadays, most people are making the change because they want a better work-life balance. If this sounds like you, follow the five tips above to get started on your career change today. A better career (and life) awaits!

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This article was originally published at an earlier date.

Acquiring Job Advance Your Career Career Changing Careers and Employment Education Internship

Top 3 Reasons Why People Want To …

Writing a career change resume can be tricky. How can you effectively market yourself to employers in a different industry when you don't have nearly enough experience as the average candidate applying for the same job as you?

If you're looking to make a career change, optimizing your resume becomes even more important than it normally is. It's also critical to write a disruptive cover letter and make strategic networking and intentional branding the priority.

Follow these five tips for an effective career change resume so you can land your dream job in a new industry.

1. Create An Interview Bucket List

An interview bucket list is a list of 10-20 companies you'd love to work for. Before beginning your job search as a career changer, having an interview bucket list is a must.

How can you identify the right companies to add to your interview bucket list? Well, it's simpler than it sounds. Think about the companies you admireâfor their mission, the product or service they provide, or both. Then, determine whether you could find an opportunity at these companies that aligns with your career change goals.

When creating your interview bucket list, you're ultimately looking for companies you connect with. Why are you passionate about working for them? Tell that connection story in your disruptive cover letter. Then, you'll be able to tailor your resume for specific job openings at these companies, customizing it for each position that you apply for. This leads to our next tip for a career change resume...

2. Highlight Your Transferable Skills

Transferable skills are hard skills that are in demand across many different roles and industries. As a career changer, highlighting your transferable skills on your resume is the key to looking as qualified as possible for the position you're applying for.

Never include soft skills on your resume. It doesn't matter whether you're changing careers or not. Soft skills cannot be quantified. Therefore, they do not belong on your resume.

For example, "detail-oriented" is a soft skill, and "project management" is a transferable skill. You may not have experience managing the types of projects in the industry you're looking to get a job in, but if you have the skill, you'll likely be able to transition into a role that requires project management smoothly.

3. Focus On Your Accomplishments

In the "Work History" section of your resume, you'll want to focus on what you accomplished in previous roles, keeping your transferable skills in mind. For each role you list, you should have at least three bullet points detailing your quantifiable accomplishments.

Employers want to see what you accomplished in your previous roles and how those accomplishments could translate to success in their industry. They don't care what your tasks or responsibilities were. That won't tell them the value you provide as a business-of-one.

What accomplishments are you most proud of in your career? Write those down. Hiring managers will probably be impressed by them too.

4. Avoid Irrelevant Information

Any irrelevant information you include on your career change resume will hurt your chances of getting an interview. Hiring managers spend only seconds reviewing each resume that comes across their desk. If they can't easily identify relevant information, they'll assume you aren't qualified for the position and toss your resume.

Only including relevant information on your resume will be difficult if you're changing careers. But if you follow the tips above, you should be on the right track.

5. Use The "Additional Experience" Section To Your Advantage

The "Additional Experience" section of your resume is the perfect place to showcase more relevant work or volunteer experience for the industry you're looking to switch to.

Did you volunteer at an organization within the same industry? Have you worked on special projects that involved the industry in some way? This section is where you should include any remaining relevant information you believe makes you qualified for the job you're applying for.

These five tips will help you write an effective career change resume. Just remember the importance of strategic networking and intentional branding in your job search as well.

To get your resume in front of hiring managers, you'll likely need to go around the ATS and focus on networking your way into companies by connecting with current employees of these companies on LinkedIn. Customizing your resume, writing a disruptive cover letter, and having a solid networking strategy will help you successfully change careers.

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This article was originally published at an earlier date.

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5 Tips For A Career Change Resume

Whether you were fired, laid off, let go, want to make a career change, or just quit your job, it's important to find activities that will make you more employable when you're out of work. Otherwise, you'll have a hard time keeping up with qualified job candidates who aren't desperate for a job.

Also, you'll have a lot of explaining to do when it comes to addressing employment gaps on your resume. Your goal is to fill those employment gaps with productive activities that are relevant to your field.

So, when you're unemployed, don't waste valuable time just sitting around applying for jobs online. Instead, make yourself more employable by doing one (or more!) of these resume boosters:

Upskilling

Upskilling is one of the best ways to give your resume a boost. Think about skill sets that would give you an edge in your industry or target job. Then, determine how you can get those skill sets.

Consider certificate programs, online courses, workshops, free webinars and video tutorials, or professional clubs. Even though you're not currently working, you're proactively finding ways to stay relevant in your industry. That fact alone can give you a huge leg up in your job search.

Temp Work

Happy young man working on his laptop at work while he pets his cat on his lap

Working with temp agencies (or staffing agencies) is a great in-between-jobs option for professionals.

These agencies will match you with companies and place you in temporary jobs. This type of work can lead job seekers to some great opportunities because it allows them to get paid for their work (although minimal), network with different companies, figure out which companies could be a good fit, and potentially receive a full-time job at one of the companies.

Part-Time Work

Young woman works a part-time job while seeking a full-time position

If you can find a part-time job that allows you to hone your current skill sets or build new ones, this is another great way to get a paycheck as well as fill those pesky resume gaps.

Remember, while it would be ideal to find something in your industry, you don't always have to do that. Think about what transferable skills you can gain from a part-time opportunity. How will the skills you use in this part-time job transfer to your target job?

Volunteering

Unemployed professionals take advantage of volunteer opportunities

While it doesn't pay, volunteering is a great way to keep yourself busy, sharpen your skill sets, and network with like-minded people. Find organizations in your area that relate to your field or interests and start making a difference in your community!

Blogging

Happy young woman on her laptop writes for a blog while looking for a job

When blogging first came on the scene, people used it as a way to share their diaries, opinions, and useless knowledge with the world. While some still use blogging as a tool to share their personal lives with the world, others use it more strategicallyâand you should, too! Think about your industry. What advice, insight, ideas, or issues can you write about?

Writing about things that matter in your field can help you establish yourself as an expert in your industry. When recruiters Google you and they see that you've been actively writing about your industry, you'll score brownie points because you're taking steps to be a thought leader in your field (and most employers dig thought leaders).

Instead of spending all of your time sitting on your couch simultaneously searching for jobs while watching reruns of Friends, find ways to stay active in your field. It can really pay off!

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This article was originally published at an earlier date.

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5 Things That Will INSTANTLY Make You …

Making a career change can be a long process filled with small victories and setbacks. If you're currently going through a career change, chances are you'll need a pick-me-up or two along the way.

Here are seven quotes to keep you going and inspire you in your career change journey...

For Those Contemplating A Career Change

1. "The most difficult thing is the decision to act, the rest is merely tenacity. The fears are paper tigers. You can do anything you decide to do. You can act to change and control your life; and the procedure, the process is its own reward."

âAmelia Earhart

This quote from the famous American aviation pioneer will really hit home if you're early in the career change process. Perhaps you have been on the fence about making a career change for a long time and just making the decision to go through with the change was a stressful process in itself. Sometimes people know in their hearts that it's time for a career change but they're scared for various reasons.

Overcoming those fears and committing to change is a victory! If you're strong enough to make that tough decision, you're also strong enough to go through the career change process and be victorious.

2. "Our finest moments are most likely to occur when we are feeling deeply uncomfortable, unhappy, or unfulfilled. For it is only in such moments, propelled by our discomfort, that we are likely to step out of our ruts and start searching for different ways or truer answers."

âM. Scott Peck

This quote from the psychiatrist and best-selling author is all about getting out of your comfort zone, and that's what leaving behind one career and trying another is all about. You'll have moments of self-doubt and you'll be challenged. Embrace those moments because you'll learn about yourself and push yourself to new limits. It's the best way to grow!

Inspiration For Those In The Middle Of The Career Change Process

3. "The only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven't found it yet, keep looking. Don't settle."

âSteve Jobs

The job search process can be long and frustrating but it's important to remember that good things take time. You don't want to settle for any job, you want the RIGHT jobâthe job that will be professionally and personally rewarding. Don't stop until you find that job! Jobs, the founder of Apple, never settled and he did pretty well.

4. "You miss 100 percent of the shots you never take."

âWayne Gretzky

This a very simple quote from one of the greatest hockey players of all time but it carries so much weight. There may be times where you're hesitant to apply for a job because of a lack of experience or you don't feel that you're good enough. If you don't try, you've already failed.

Do the research, prepare accordingly, and apply for the job. Even if you don't get it, you may learn something from the process that will make you a better candidate moving forward.

5. "The future rewards those who press on. I don't have time to feel sorry for myself. I don't have time to complain. I'm going to press on."

âBarack Obama

You will undoubtedly face some setbacks along the way in your efforts to change careers. Don't dwell too long on those setbacks. Learn from them and move forward. As the 44th president of the United States alludes to, feeling sorry for yourself will only slow you down.

As You Near Your Career Change Goal

6. "There are no secrets to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work, and learning from failure."

âColin Powell

If you were successful in your career change transition, chances are you can relate to the former U.S. secretary of state's quote. It took hard work, preparation, and a little failure to accomplish your goal. You'll find that this is the recipe for the most successful ventures in life.

7. "How dare you settle for less when the world has made it so easy for you to be remarkable?"

âSeth Godin

The sky's the limit! Never stop trying to improve and grow in your career. If you don't, you're only selling yourself short. If you ever stop growing in your career, it may be time to make another change. As the American author says in his quote, you have every opportunity to be remarkableâyou just need to take it.

Stay motivated during the career change process and avoid these mistakes.

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This article was originally published at an earlier date.

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7 Motivational Career Change Quotes

You might be wondering if it's possible to change industries as a manager. Of course it is. But is it easy? Well, not to people who don't know how to do it.

Here's the good news: you already have management experience. It's actually harder, in my opinion, to go from an independent contributor role to a manager role when you're switching companies, and it's even harder when you're changing industries.

But when you're changing industries as a manager, you already have management experience. And that's the most important thing employers are looking for.

Show Employers You Have The Management Experience And Can Learn The Rest.

@j.t.odonnell Replying to @nicflemrn How to switch industries as a manager. #jobsearch #manager #switchjobs #switchcareer #careerswitch #careerhelp #careeradvice #careerchange â¬ original sound - J.T. O'Donnell

You have management experience. Now you have to connect the dots for the hiring managers in that industry. You have to show them that, in spite of not having their exact industry experience, your management experience is so important and you can learn the rest.

So how do you do that?

Well, you start with informational interviews. Find five managers who are managing in that industry. Ask them to coffee or to lunch or a virtual meeting and say, "Look, I'm not asking you for help getting a job. What I'm trying to understand is where my gaps are and what I'm going to need to do to close those gaps so that I could get a management job in this industry."

People are happy to help you like that. They're happy to sit down, talk it through, and give you advice and tips. That's going to help you. But you're also networking in the industry so that when their company has a management position open up, you can message them and say:

"Hey, I just applied to the open position on your company's site. I'm so grateful I had that conversation with you because it really helped me prepare. And I've done a few things since. And, hopefully, the hiring manager might take a look at me for the position."

What's going to happen?

Well, first of all, this person is going to love that. You said they were helpful. Second of all, since they got to know you, they might walk down the hall or message the hiring manager and tell them they should pull your resume from the pile because you're actually worth looking at as an applicant.

Only 25% of applicants are usually qualified for the role. Not everybody has the experience. But what employers need most is people who have the right personality and some of the key skills (like management experience) more so than industry experience.

So, if you do the informational interviewing, you're going to build a network. You're going to find out where your gaps are so that you can close them. And then you'll stand out to employers as a great job candidate despite not having the exact industry experience.

This is how you change industries as a manager. It all comes down to that management experience.

You can do this, my friend. Go get 'em!

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How To Change Industries As A Manager

7 Things To Keep In Mind While You Pursue Your Dreams

You want to pursue your dreams. You have lots of dreams and things you want to do. But for some reason, you're hesitatingâeven though no one is holding you back.

You are the only one that is responsible for what you can and cannot do. So, how do you pursue your dreams? Here are a few things to keep in mind:

1. Create Impact.

via GIPHY

You are a gift to the world. There are things the world would like to see, hear, and feel from you. You are an artist regardless of what you do because the world wants your craft. Do not deny the world this craft.

In this day and age, you do not have the excuse of no money, no time, and barriers. Everything you dream of, you can start with the device in your pocket. Start now.

2. Don't Just Think, Do.

via GIPHY

To create impact, the union of thinking and doing is a necessity. To pursue your dreams, don't just think. You need to DO. That means to act upon what you have been thinking.

Doing is easy. Thinking makes it hard. The more you think, the more resistance rears its head.

3. Realize There Are No Formulas.

via GIPHY

People think those who achieve their dreams are special people who have a certain formula. The truth is, when you pursue your dreams, sometimes formulas work. Sometimes they don't. That's how new formulas are created. That's how you improve.

Create your own formula to achieve your dreams.

4. Know That Execution Is Priceless.

via GIPHY

People tell you that ideas are important. But you already have an idea of what your dreams are. You want to pursue your dreams. Your dreams are your ideas. Ideas are worthless. An idea brought to life is priceless.

If that is so, execute those ideas. Go and really pursue your dreamsâto breathe life into an idea, act, execute, and, as Seth Godin says, "ship."

5. Stop Asking Questions.

via GIPHY

There are no whys or maybes. There is a time to ask questions. There is a time to stop. Now is the time to feel the fear and do it anyway. The more you do, the better you get.

This website is an example of how I am pursuing one of my dreams. Sure, it isn't something bigâa lot of people own websites and successful blogs. However, it's a step in the right direction. I did not sit, think, and dream. I pursued my dream. It's a step in the right directionâsharing my experience. I did not ask if I will make a fool of myself. If I did, then so be it.

6. Practice Your Way To Perfection.

via GIPHY

Execution breeds excellence. Practice is the growth to perfection. The more you do, the better you become. Everything takes practice including pursuing your dreams.

If you want to achieve your dreams, start. Then learn from the experience and adjust.

7. Understand That Anxiety Is Not Risk.

via GIPHY

People often tell you your dreams are too risky. But having a dream and not pursuing it is even riskier. What you feel is not risk. What you feel is anxiety. Anxiety is not risk. Risk can be calculated. Anxiety cannot.

You delay because you fear. You are afraid to pursue your dreams because you don't know. You fear the unknown. You will only know when you do. It's time, don't you think? Do. Don't talk. Go!

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This article was originally published at an earlier date.

Acquiring Job Advance Your Career Career Changing Careers and Employment Education Internship

7 Things To Keep In Mind While …

As we all know, most of us will reach a time in our work life when we have to reinvent our careers for an evolving economy. Some of us go back to school while others enter new businesses.

The first thing you want to do when considering a career change is to stop thinking of yourself as just a job title, whether that be financial analyst, human resources specialist, manager, teacher, or homemaker. No matter how you spend the first part of your career, whether it's coaching soccer or fully entrenched in corporate America, we all end up developing specific expertise.

If you start your own independent business from scratch, you will need to know something about every aspect of the business, from managing staff to selling your product or service.

If you're interested in switching to a new industry, you might want to consider a franchise, which comes with a tried-and-true business model, a brand name, and marketing expertise, as well as a training program and ongoing support. With a franchise, you get to operate your own business while having a team of experts behind you.

To accurately gauge your preparedness for any new endeavor, you should consider all the skills you have accumulated that can be transferred to a new career.

As you take inventory of your transferable skills, you want to dive deep into the details of your day to accurately assess your strengths for a successful career change.

1. List What You Do In An Average Workday

Person writes down their transferable skills

Make a list of all the activities you perform on any given workday over a week, since not everything you do happens daily. And don't skip anything you may consider "a no-brainer" or insignificant because these little things can add up to a very significant skill that could transfer to another industry seamlessly.

So, if you sometimes have to field phone calls from disgruntled clients, and you've discovered you're really good at calming people's nerves, that's a valuable skill. Even if your job title is "financial analyst."

You never know what skill could make all the difference in your career change.

2. Realistically Assess Your Personal Strengths

Woman on laptop thinks about her personal strengths while trying to make a career change

You don't need to be good at everything, but if cold-calling is an essential aspect of the company you want to apply to in your career change, you need to know you can do this day in and day out.

Consider core skills such as communications, business acumen, managing people, marketing, and so on. Be honest with yourself and stay clear of jobs that rely on skills that are not among your strengths. Changing careers is a lot easier when you know all of your strengths and how they can help you succeed in your next job.

3. Are You Detail-Oriented Or More The Big-Picture Thinker?

If you're a numbers person and love tabulating figures, you may want to find a business that can capitalize on this valuable skill. Or maybe you prefer creating strategies that can make the whole operation run more smoothly.

Being detail-oriented or a big-picture thinker aren't hard skills. They're just adjectives and definitely DON'T belong on your resume. But knowing which category you fall under should help you identify the hard skills you possess that make you one or the other.

4. Do You Have Good Follow-Through?

Female executive leads a meeting after successfully changing careers

Building a clientele involves not only making good connections but following through to convert these new contacts into lasting relationships. Follow-through can also be an essential attribute in managing staff. A good franchise program can help you learn this skill.

While you don't want to state you have good follow-through on your resume, you should quantify your work experiences so that employers will get that impression when they read your job application. When trying to change careers, quantifiable skills and accomplishments are a necessity.

5. Are You A People Person?

Man smiles at his new job after making a career change

Do you love being around and meeting new people? Do you strike up conversations easily and enjoy learning about other people's interests and goals? Many businesses require a whole range of people skills in hiring and managing staff and attracting and keeping customers, but there are lots of businesses where the role of the owner mainly involves working alone at your computer.

No matter where you end up after your career change, you will have to deal with people in some way, shape, or form. But if you don't want a customer-facing role, it's good to know that so you can choose which transferable skills to highlight in your resume and which to omit.

With personal skills inventory in hand, you're now ready to begin researching businesses that would best match your skills and interests. A career change can be scary. But if you're confident about the skills you've developed in your career up to this point, you'll be just fine.

Need more help with your career change?

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This article was originally published at an earlier date.

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Reinventing Your Career? 5 Steps To Assess …

#1 Secret To Successfully Changing Careers

I'm going to let you in on a little secret about successful career changes. So many people spend years not being able to pivot their career into a new industry or a new skill set because they haven't done the most vital part of the process.

The most important part of the career change process is the professional strengths assessment. That's the secret to successfully changing careers. Without going through the professional strengths assessment, you won't know which career direction is right for you.

Discovering Your Professional Strengths Helps You Understand Your Intrinsic Motivation

@j.t.odonnell Replying to @luciahawleynutrition No. 1 SECRET to changing careers, or finding a new, better job is to do proper professional strengths assessment. #strengths #strengthsandweaknesses #knowyourworth #knowyourstrengths #careers #jobs #career #job #careertok #jobtiktok #careertiktok #jobsearchtips #jobsearch #workitdaily #howto #work â¬ original sound - J.T. O'Donnell

School never taught you this. They never taught you how to properly assess your professional strengths. And, just so you know, employers will never teach you this either. And that's because when you understand your intrinsic motivation (how you like to create value and what makes you feel insanely productive on the job), when you tap into that and understand your unique combination of professional strengths, you will be able to identify careers that are a fit for you. You will know what to say during interviews. You'll be able to market yourself. And, better yet, you will be much happier on the job, which leads to career growth and success.

Ask anyone who's dialed into their career. They'll tell you they have a very clear sense of their intrinsic motivation and the value they create through their professional strengths.

Now, how do you inventory this? How do you discover your professional strengths and understand your intrinsic motivation?

You use a set of FREE tools:

If you're serious about changing careers, take the free quizzes above and sign up for my Professional Strengths Bootcamp. In this bootcamp, I walk you through the professional strengths assessment so that you can take a step back, understand your strengths, and then translate those into what you want to do next. When you can do that, everything gets easierâjob search, career growth, networking, everything.

You can do this. You can successfully change careers. And it starts with unlocking your professional strengths. So, I hope you follow my advice above. Go get 'em!

Need more help with your professional strengths assessment?

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#1 Secret To Successfully Changing Careers

After months (maybe even years) of careful thought, you have decided that the time is finally right to make a career change. This is one of the biggest decisions of your professional life and it will have a significant impact on your quality of life moving forward.

Buckle up! This change won't happen overnight and it's going to be a roller coaster of a process.

As you navigate your way through the career change process, here are five mistakes to avoid:

Mistake #1: Believing That A Career Change Will Be Easy

As alluded to in the opening paragraphs, the career change process is a roller coaster ride of emotions and there's nothing easy about it! Some people go into the process, think they'll apply for a few jobs, and just hope something will come together. Then, after the setbacks mount, they lose confidence and become frustrated.

You need to take a step back and taper your expectations.

The job market is as competitive as ever and, depending on how long you were at your previous job, the job search process has changed significantly. From the way you find jobs, apply for jobs, and interview for jobs, the process is not the same as it used to be.

Mistake #2: Not Doing Enough Research

Man looks at his phone while researching companies to work for

You've decided you don't want to continue with your current career path and have narrowed in on another career to pursue.

Guess what? That's not enough!

You need to research the industry you're going into to see how many of your professional skills will transfer over to the new career field. You also need to take a serious inventory of the skills that you're lacking and investigate your options for upskilling to gain those valuable skills. This may be the most difficult of all the career change challenges. However, addressing it early in the job search process will only benefit you more in the long run.

In addition to all of that, you need to have a strong understanding of the state of the industry you're targeting. Some industries, such as journalism, are struggling and seeing significant reductions in the workforce while other professions are in danger of being automated. It's important to make sure that the profession you're going into is better than the one you're leaving behind.

It's also important to research salaries for the profession, so there are no surprises as you go along in the process (more on that in a bit).

Mistake #3: Attacking The Career Change Process Alone

Woman at a networking event talking to colleagues who could help her with her career change

If you've neglected your professional network or don't have one, you may want to make that your first priority before starting your job search.

A career change is hard enough as it is, but very few people are able to accomplish it without a little help. This is where your professional network comes in handy. Talking to former colleagues, professional acquaintances, and mentors can not only help shape your career path, but they may also be able to recommend companies that may be a good fit for you and make some initial introductions.

If your professional network needs some work, try to reach out to colleagues to see if they're willing to introduce you to some professionals in their networks. In addition, you may want to look into attending some local networking events to meet new people.

Online networking tools such as LinkedIn also give job seekers an opportunity to run their own proactive job searches. If you've identified some companies that you're interested in, you can use LinkedIn to connect with people at those companies. You can also contact the recruiter for those companies.

Your networking efforts should run concurrently with your job search.

Mistake #4: Neglecting Your Resume

Job seeker on laptop shows a lack of interest in working on his resume

There may have been a time a long time ago when a one-size-fits-all resume was fine but it's not like that now. Every resume needs to be tailored to the specific job you're targeting. The modern-day recruiter handles so many resumes that they only have time to skim them.

You basically have six seconds to get that recruiter's attention, so all the relevant skills that you possess for that job need to be at the top of your resume.

There are still some people that fall into the trap of spending most of their time writing a good cover letter but using the same resume over and over again. Both documents deserve an equal amount of attention. It may take a little extra time but it beats being repeatedly passed over for job interviews.

Mistake #5: Expecting To Make More Money

Woman saving money during the career change process

If you're making a career change just to make more money, you may be in for a surprise.

Sure, depending on your industry and professional experience, there are some career changes that lead to instant raises.

But in many cases, any financial gain that comes from career change happens in the long term, not the short term. It's very possible that you'll have to take a pay cut initially until you prove yourself in your new position. This is especially true if a company takes a chance and hires you with little experience. The company wants to make sure you can do the job before it makes a significant investment.

That's why it's important to do salary research early in the process and plan accordingly.

The job search process isn't easy, but if you take the proper steps, it doesn't have to be miserable. Hopefully by avoiding these five mistakes, making a career change will be a little less daunting and intimidating. And (even though it didn't make the list) make sure you don't prematurely quit your current job before you've secured a new one (unless you have the resources) because even the smoothest career changes take a little time.

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5 BIG Career Change Mistakes

How To Successfully Change Careers After A Layoff

For most workers, being laid off or furloughed is a scary thought, and, unfortunately, this scary thought became a reality for many professionals who had their jobs impacted by COVID-19 and the recession that followed. However, for some, losing their job is the push they need to make a career change.

It's not as crazy as it sounds!

Some people need a change but are too afraid to make one, and losing their job is the perfect opportunity to do so. In addition, many workers who lost their jobs due to the COVID-19 crisis may find it difficult to get back into the industries they were working in.

Making a career change isn't easy, but with an organized approach, it can be done successfully. It won't happen overnight, but with patience and commitment, you can ultimately end up in a better place.

Here's what you need to know about the career change process as you embark on the job hunt after a layoff...

Commit To A Career Change Plan

Before committing to a career change, make sure you're ready to close the door on your current career.

A career change should not be an impulse decision or strictly driven by the trauma of a layoff. So, it's important to take some time to really think things over.

But if your decision comes from a prolonged period of career unhappiness, then the time may be right.

Identify the new industry that you're looking to get into and then create an interview bucket list of 10-12 companies where you would like to work. Take a self-inventory of yourself and identify the transferable skills you possess that would also apply well to this new industry. Identify where you need to upskill.

What skills are you missing for this new position? Come up with a plan for gaining these skills. Attend training courses, workshops, classes, or certification opportunities.

Changing Careers Is About Who You Know

Man talks to a colleague about making a career change

Now that you've drafted a career change plan, the real challenge begins: building your network.

When applying to a new industry, it's not enough to just apply online and pray that you'll get an interview. You have to put the work in.

Go to the company's website or LinkedIn account to identify the human resources manager and the company's key players. Try to make an actual connection. Tap into your current network to see if you already know someone working at the company or have a friend who knows a current employee.

Use any connection you make to learn more about the company and to tell your career storyâwhere you've been, and why you are choosing to change careers. Any connection that you make is a foot in the door.

This is a much more efficient way to conduct a job search, rather than just applying for every online job posting (spraying and praying). Most resumes don't even make it past the applicant tracking system (ATS).

In addition to trying to secure an interview, putting in this work will also help you build networking skills and expand your professional network. No matter where you are in your career, it always pays to network. This would also be a good time to update your LinkedIn profile, too.

Ease Your Way To Your Dream Job

Young professional moves into her new office after getting a new job

What if you could get a job at the company you want to work for, just not in the position that you wanted?

That would actually be a career victory. When it comes to career changes, very rarely can you just switch lanes and land your dream job. Sometimes you need to ease your way in.

If you're struggling to get the position you want within a certain company, research other positions at that company to see if there are any positions that better fit your current skill sets. If there is, apply for that position. That way you at least get a job at the company.

From there, you can figure out a way to gain the skills that you need, so that you can one day move into your dream position.

Beware! Career Changes Come With Salary Implications

Confused businessman ponders whether or not he should take a cut in salary

This may be hard to believe, but when it comes to a career change, sometimes salary is the last thing that you think about.

That's because the career change process is so involved. It takes a lot of effort to come up with a plan and eventually secure an interview. Salary considerations are something that gets placed on the temporary back burner.

But if you've reached the point in the process where it's time to discuss salary, you've done something right and don't want things to unravel.

Depending on the type of industry you're going into, you'll be looking at either a salary increase, decrease, or match. It's essential that you do your research about the position and the average salary for such a position in your geographical area. Websites such as Salary.com and Glassdoor can be good resources for this information.

Having this information could be helpful in salary negotiations or, at the very least, mentally prepare you, particularly if you're facing a salary decrease.

It's also important not to lie when asked about your current salary in order to get a higher salary. It never pays to be dishonest.

Being laid off and then deciding to change careers is a lot to take on. If you're organized and committed, you can do it, but you don't have to do it alone!

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How To Successfully Change Careers After A …

15 Questions To Ask Before Making A Career Change

In case you are contemplating a major career modify, you may find the particular process a little mind-boggling at first. To assist organize your opinions and thoughts on the topic, inquire yourself the following 12-15 questions.

Inquiries to Ask Just before Making A Career Modify

Woman thinks about making a fabulous career change

Be sure you answer considerately and honestly. This will be for your eyes just. Also, be sure for you to write your answers straight down. Putting abstract thoughts and even feelings into words can assist you identify what's really taking place and it adds some sort of tangible element to typically the reflection process.

1. The facts about our current career that is not working?

two. What does this fresh career offer that my personal current career doesn't?

3. What will this new career fire up in my soul?

4. How really does the brand new career align together with my core values ?

5. What exactly are the long-term possibilities associated with this brand-new career?

six. What skills or sources will I actually need to take good thing about these long-term opportunities?

7. Who must i know who is currently within this career and could give me a respectable "insider's" perspective?

eight. Will my friends together with family support this completely new career endeavor?

9. How long will certainly it take to produce a comfortable living in this kind of new career?

10. Will i have this financial resources to create the new career work? In case not, how could i get exactly what I need to really feel secure?

eleven. What struggles can My partner and i predict in my changeover to this new career?

12. Just what exactly can I do right now to minimize these possible struggles?

13. What particular experience do you hope to help gain in this career move?

fourteen. How will my earlier experience help me inside this new role?

15. Are these claims career move one step up a good larger plan? If therefore, how much does this new career need to provide throughout order to help me personally move forward?

Now that you possess all your answers towards these questions, you can easily better position yourself regarding a successful career alter! It's exactly about being truthful with yourself and achieving obvious on your goals. As soon as you do that, the entire process becomes so a lot easier.

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15 Questions To Ask Before Making A …

9 Ways To Stand Out In A Group Interview

If you're a job hunter, you have to remember that job interviews are not all the same. Some job interviews not only require you to answer somewhat stressful questions directly from your interviewer, but they can also require you to face a group of co-interviewees and (technically) compete with them by practically standing out among the crowd.

This kind of job interview is (obviously) called a group interview.

If you're still wondering, "What is a group interview?" you're not alone. A group interview is just like the traditional job interview with a question and answer portion, and some examinations.

However, what adds more tension to the air is the fact that you have to go toe-to-toe with other job seekers, and force yourself to stand out without disrespecting and interrupting your interviewer and co-interviewees. You have to be both smooth and confident here.

If this is kind of scaring the hell out of you, breathe and just continue reading. After this, you will be as prepared as the ants during rainy season. Here are nine effective ways to stand out in a group job interview:

1. Research Beforehand

It is very important, whether it's a group interview or a traditional job interview, to do research beforehand. You should know what you need to look for. Just make sure you know something about the company and any other details they can possibly ask you.

Keep in mind, though, that research doesn't only pertain to Google. Go out and observe, or conduct your own interviews.

2. Arrive 30 Minutes Before The Time And Observe

Man thinks while waiting for a job interview

Don't just be "on time." Be there before the assigned time. This way, you can still rest and freshen up a bit. You can also continue on with your research by observing the office, and reading some posters or notes on their bulletin boards. Being early for the interview will do you a lot of good.

3. Prepare A Self-Introduction

Man introduces himself during a group interview

Most likely, you will be asked to introduce yourself, especially in a group job interview. To save yourself some time and pressure, compose and memorize fluidly a self-introduction. Give it all your best essay writing prowess. This will certainly come in handy.

Remember, the "first impression lasts" saying is still true.

4. Listen Very Carefully

Hiring manager talks to job candidates during a group interview

During a group interview, never let yourself float into nowhere. Always be attentive and alert. Don't just listen to the questions asked. Listen to your peers' answers as well. This will help you think and answer better.

5. Answer First Every Once In A While

Woman answers a question during a group interview

Make it a point to be the first one to answer your interviewer's question every once in a while. I repeat, only once in a while. You don't have to bully the other candidates. But you shouldn't appear to be too shy and timid, either.

Being the first one to answer without obviously trying to dominate the group interview can help your interviewer's easy recall and good impression of you as a job candidate.

6. Support Some Co-Interviewees' Statements

Job candidates listen during a group interview

Since you don't need to be the first one to answer all the questions, try to be kind and supportive of the other candidates' answers every now and then. This way, you may appear to be a supportive leader and a team player at the same time.

7. Smile And Nod A Lot

Job candidates smile during a group interview

While someone else is talking, listen, smile, and nod a lot. It's a sign of respect and that you are listening intently to them. It's always better to be noticed because of nodding and smiling than to be all stiff and nervous.

8. Ask Brilliant Questions

A job candidate asks a good question during a group interview

As soon as your interviewer asks you if you have any questions in mind, try your best to formulate a good and intelligent one. That's why, aside from thinking sharply, you also need to listen carefully throughout the course of the interview.

Once you've already formulated a question or two, do your best to keep them in mind and wait until your interviewer asks you if you have any. Don't interrupt him or her.

Brilliant questions will make you notable. It means you're listening well and you are eager to learn more. That's why good and intelligent questions are so important.

9. Greet And Thank Your Interviewer And Co-Interviewees

Woman thanks the hiring manager after a group interview

At the end of the group interview, make it a point to thank your interviewer and shake hands with your co-interviewees. This shows you are well-mannered and respectful.

Group job interviews can be terrifying. However, they're not as bad as they may seem.

Now that you know how to succeed at a group interview, you should already be more confident! Group interviews can even give you the edge that you need more than a traditional job interview can.

So, don't fear your upcoming group interview! It's just another opportunity for you to shine and prove that YOU are the best fit for the position!

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