Looking to Change Careers?
Been on the same career path for too long? Or worse, you’re miserable doing what you do so you look up current opportunities “in your same field,” thinking that perhaps if you change companies things will be better? So you start your search…Just for kicks, you browse over to industries you deep down really want. You see a fabulous vacant position you know you’d rock if only you were given the opportunity…it’s so tempting, but you quickly talk yourself into believing that it’s a long shot and you best stick with what you know.
Many of us have been there. We read the title and the rest of the job description and we get excited. This job has your name written all over it! Then you read the requirements: 3+ years doing x,y and z…that can be quite discouraging, I know.
However, what if…? “If” sounds exciting. Have you thought about your transferable skills? Have you thought about your current qualifications and how you can transfer them into a new position in a totally different field? You may not have a background in said field, but you have been doing a, b and c for over a decade and this is how you would use your current experience and knowledge to do ________ (explain in detail).
I believe you can; I believe the best employers appreciate and respect career changers because they understand that it takes guts to let go of something you’ve been doing for so long–something safe–and start somewhere new.
“It is impossible to live without failing at something, unless you live so cautiously that you might as well not have lived at all, in which case, you fail by default.” J.K. Rowling
I understand that we often have to work in places and with people who are not very fabulous. We all have bills to pay. But if you can afford to take the risk, I’d say go for it! Look for opportunities that make you want to jump out of bed in the morning. Get a list going. I have what I call my “Dream Team.” These are the different clients, companies and people I’d love to somehow be affiliated with, professionally. Get your own “Dream Team” list going and start writing the companies and people you’d like to work with and for. Think of the many ways you can add value to them. Get to know the key stakeholders and decision makers on a personal level. Send them a well thought-out letter; send them many! Be pleasantly persistent. Politely show them how you would help them solve a problem they are currently facing. After all, they wouldn’t be hiring if they didn’t need help.
I knew a highly professional, super successful man who would send newspaper clippings to other colleagues. How impressive! It takes effort to read an article, cut it out and place it in the mail. Be genuine and likable. Know that it takes courage to be courageous! I know you can do this. And if all else fails, you have that safe, mundane career to go back to. No puppies will die because of this. You can always go back to your comfort zone. But imagine if you were doing what you loved? The world would be better because of it. The sun would shine brighter and the skies would be clearer. The world needs your closet genius. You could very well be the one who will show up and disrupt the entire industry. But you will never know if you don’t try.
“The ones who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones who do.” Steve Jobs
As always, thank you for your support. Please don’t forget to leave me a comment if you found this article helpful and share your experiences or new ideas on the topic, if you have any. 🙂
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Legendario.
Hi William! Thank you so much for your support. It means the world to me. Best wishes, Iris
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