Career Transition Tips

I can tell you firsthand that going through a career shift after experiencing a job loss is tough, but it also presents an opportunity for growth and personal development.

Challenging ourselves and stepping out of our comfort zones is essential to growing as individuals. I understand it can be overwhelming, but I’m here to help with tips and advice to make your career transition successful.

Are you unhappy in your current career? Do you no longer find the work rewarding? Did you get fired or let go? Whatever the root cause, recognizing your “reason” is integral to a successful career shift because it will help you better navigate the transition.

What Are the Different Types of Career Transition?

The reasoning behind a career transition can typically be boiled down into one of three buckets.

You were fired or let go from a job and need to find something new (not ideal, but still standard).
You are unhappy and working at a dead-end job, you no longer enjoy (also not ideal, but at least there’s a way out).
There’s a new and better opportunity to explore (maybe something new pops up).

Career Transition Tips (how to Move from one job to another)

1. Start Networking within the Industry

At least 70% of jobs aren’t advertised, so for everyone you source on LinkedIn or Indeed, there are hundreds of others awaiting to be discovered.

Networking is a great way to gather insight into prospective careers. Not all skills will transfer directly from your current job to the job you want, so it’s vital to talk to people when considering a career transition.

If you’ve decided on what the career of your dreams looks like, the people you network with might be able to put you in touch with the right person at the right time, even giving you early access to job openings.

So network, network, network.

Related:

2. Build out your Hard and Soft Skills

It’s not all just about who you know, though. Once you connect to the right person, a big part of career shifting comes down to your qualifications.

These can range from college degrees to any skill set that enables you to perform your job capably. As you begin your job transition, take some time to familiarize yourself with your skills and sort them into hard and soft skill sets.

What are hard and soft skills?

Hard skills are those abilities that you can specifically learn and demonstrate, like programming, data analysis, or digital marketing. They are concrete and measurable skills often required for specific jobs and listed on job descriptions. You can acquire hard skills through education, training, or work experience.

We all know that soft skills are as necessary as hard skills in the workplace. They are all about who I am and how I interact with others.

Unlike hard skills, which are technical and can be easily measured, soft skills are more about my personality and how I approach different situations. Communication, teamwork, problem-solving, time management, leadership, empathy, and adaptability are all examples of soft skills that I use in my daily life and career.

Once you’ve established your skills and sorted them accordingly, it’s time to figure out what you need to improve on. Is there a course you can take for your dream job? Acquire a specific certificate?

Luckily, the internet has brought the experience to your doorstep and never has acquiring information been more affordable or accessible.

3. Brush Off and Update Your Resume

For your career transition to take off, you must get to the interview stage. That means you’ll need to submit a resume and cover letter, even if you think you have reached this job offer in the bag.

So how do you write the kind of resume and cover letter that will make your career shift dream come true?

It’s all about adaptability. While you may not have all the skills you need for the job you’re transitioning to, you’re likely to have some of them. Highlight these on your resume.

One of the best ways to show off what you can do is through accomplishment statements. These sentences encapsulate your work experience and skills throughout previous jobs. The more specific, the better.

Include percentages, numbers, and job duties to give the prospective employer as much information as possible. Be sure to highlight any similarities between your old and new career, but don’t be afraid to shift focus and highlight other, more applicable skills.

Remember, as you attempt a job transition, you’re trying to persuade a new employer you’re a good fit for the job. Shining a light on certain aspects of past jobs will help make your case, especially if you weave in those specific aspects with real-life examples.

“The top 5 fastest growing occupations are Wind Turbine Technicians, Nurse Practitioners, Solar Installers, Occupational Therapy Assistants, and Statisticians”
— BLS

4. Nailing the Job Interview

All of this upfront work brings you to the interview.

You’ve written an exemplary cover letter and stand-out resume; now, you’re face to face with the hiring manager and their list of questions.

A good interview is the lynchpin of your successful career shift, so prepare ahead and do your best to stay positive. Along with your typical interview questions, the hiring manager will almost certainly ask about your job transition – so have an answer ready.

You’ll also want to discuss your passion for this new career field while highlighting any relevant experiences from the past. Don’t just list skills and experiences here; use them to tell a story highlighting your capabilities. Keep all job interview answers simple and relative!

Wrapping Up | Career transition advice

Career transitions can be a long, tricky process to navigate, but they eventually pay off in the form of a new career you will likely love. As you move forward with your job transition, remember:

Network, network, network
Recognize your skills
Perfect your resume and cover letter
Prepare for interview questions.
Stay Positive

Keep in mind your career shift won’t likely happen overnight. But don’t worry; the perfect job is around the corner and about to come calling.

Best of luck in your new career search!

Title: How to Transition from One Job to Another (Career Shift)

Category: Career Resources

Tags: how to transition from one job to another, career transition advice, career transition tips, Career shift, Career transition, job transition, how do you transition to a new job, career change, job change

Author: Reid is a contributor to theJub. He’s an employment and marketing enthusiast who studied business before taking on various recruiting, management, and marketing roles. More from the author. | Author Profile

Career Transition Tips for 2023