From Cubicle Catepillar to Boardroom Butterfly – Tips and Steps for Your Career Change
In life, one thing alone is constant – change!
Whether it’s a change in lifestyle, mindset or career, change allows us to realise our potential.
With the internet revolutionising the 21st century, there are a multitude of opportunities and career options available.
If you’re looking to explore new opportunities or climb the corporate ladder to the boardroom, consider these several details:
You may ask yourself – “What are the things I need to know before changing careers“?
Thou Must Know Thyself
Before switching careers, determine if it’s for the right reason. A career change is not the answer for personal problems. You could potentially be leaving one conflict for another. Wanting more money is understandable, however, money is a short-term motivator. There must be something greater to pursue for long-term fulfilment. Additionally, with greater money comes greater responsibility. More money involves longer hours and increased workload. Carefully contemplate your reasoning for career changes.
Is the Market on Your Side?
What is the state of the Trinidad and Tobago economy and which sectors are thriving and which are downsizing?
Research the local job market to align with your reasoning. Once you already have a career in mind and know what prospects you face, research the industry’s hiring opportunities and what the market will allow you to do.
A New Career Needs a New Set of Skills
New employers want to know that you can work efficiently, make positive changes and generate revenue. Another tip when changing careers is upgrading your market value by identifying skills you currently possess and those which you need.
If the career you want requires a specialised education such as STEM jobs or a particular license or specialised knowledge, you may have to invest in yourself to develop those competencies through school or internship. Reach out to persons in that industry to get a sense of what expertise and knowledge is required, particularly for fields where information is consistently advancing such as Information Technology, Business Strategy or Digital Marketing. That way you can be assured you are well-equipped to successfully change careers when an opportunity presents itself.
Refining Your Resume for Change
The internet has created a ‘show rather than tell’ culture. Tailor your resume template to show projects you worked on, initiatives that you took, difficult situations or people you handled and the new skills these experiences nurtured in you to be a well-rounded professional.
In addition to your resume, ensure your online resume (ie. your social media presence), conveys a professional outlook. Undoubtedly if you are networking using social media, you want your profiles to reflect the competent, genuine professional that you are.
Career Change is Risky Business
Updating your resume better prepares you to switch careers, but this change may still involve short-term discomfort for your current lifestyle.
You should evaluate how much risk you are willing to undertake. How long would it take you to find that ideal job? How is the labour market? How do you intend to support yourself during that phase? Do you have sufficient savings?
If you are an unmarried and/or a university graduate with no dependents, it may be easier for you to assume greater risk. However, for an individual already in their mid-thirties with a family, it may not be sensible to be job hunting for an extended period. It will be less risky and more comfortable to stay in your current position until you have confirmed another.
Hard Networking Pays Off!
If change is unpredictable, risky and uncomfortable, a lucrative network will assist. Practical wisdom says, “It’s not what you know, but who you know”. Nevertheless, the 21st century wisdom states, “it’s not who you know but who knows you”!
People can only help you if they know you. You may very well be familiar with someone, however, if they have no idea who you are or worse, can’t remember you, they are unable to provide any leverage for you to acquire that ideal job. Career change relies on a professional, lucrative network.
Effective networking involves confidence, timing and strategy. Social media has become your most powerful tool to meet people. The persons who have the career you are seeking, where are they online? Use platforms like Facebook and LinkedIn to introduce yourself, identify companies you want to work for and the gatekeepers – the persons who are responsible for hiring. Build professional conversations. Identify their problems which you can solve.
Both online and offline networking involves meaningful and genuine relationships. Knowing you is one thing, but people will only leverage you in your career if they like you. Simple human nature is, if they don’t trust you, they won’t help you. A further piece of 21st century wisdom states “It’s not who knows you but who likes and trusts you”.
People love talking about themselves. Firstly, get to know them. What are their skills? What goals and values do they have? Promote your own competencies and the value you bring to the table. Ask for advice. Building that genuine rapport opens you to possible job opportunities in their companies. Having these relationships places you at the top of their hiring list.
Career change is a major life decision. With nearly all major decisions, you want to go in with relevant knowledge, expertise and a group of strong connections that can vouch on your behalf. Therefore, when you decide to change careers, you need this arsenal of qualifications, research, a tailored resume template and a robust network to get ahead in your professional life.
