We touched on this a bit in the 'how to make a resume tweak' article but transitioning your career can be scary but its completely doable!
In the past, companies and people use to give us major sideeyes if we job hopped or made a transition in our career. But the truth is, transitioning your career:
1) Speaks to your ability to look inward, know yourself, and act on your desires.
2) Speaks to your ability to take risks, go after your dreams, and FOLLOW THROUGH.
3) Speaks to you being a myriad of things ie. soft skills that make you a step above the average candidate and THE reason to hire YOU above them.
Bonus - According to the Workforce Vitality Report from ADP, full-time workers who switched jobs in Q1 2017 saw a 5.2% increase in salary, compared to a 4.3% bump for those who stayed put.
And, as a side note, career transitioners that transition into tech see a huge $$$$ increase in salary and do not need any prior experience.
So let’s jump into your fool proof plan of heading out and transitioning.
You ready?!
Step 1: Create A Timeline: Give Yourself 6 Months
By giving yourself at least 6 months to make the transition, you can start creating a job search strategy….ie...making a list of companies to target, a list of people to network with, gain an understanding of when bonus season will come around and just generally a game plan of how to exit and do things right….
This could be a longer timeline...even 12 months can be great.
Up to you, but for sure make sure you give yourself at least the 6 months.
Now, after you’ve created your Exit Strategy / Transition Plan...you’ll want to start identifying folks to learn from and talk to in the industry.
Let’s jump right into that below!
Recommended: How Your Canva-Built Résumé Is Stopping You From Getting a Job Interview
Step 2: Schedule Informational Interviews (or just networking calls)
You’ll want to do this in three stages.
First by going through your friends and family list. Do you know anyone doing what you’d like to do? Do they know anyone doing it? If so then ask them to introduce you and set you up on a call.
On the call you can ask them questions around - what’s it like doing/being an XYZ? Or...ask them for recommendations on how to get started.
Finally, you’ll do the same with the next list of people. This list will be your University /HS Alumni List or any other affiliations you have like maybe you volunteer at a soup kitchen or even going through your church.
And lastly, I really love recommending career transitioners get started by reaching out to folks in Facebook Groups.
For example, if you plan on becoming a Software Developer then you can join a FB group like Blacks In Tech or Women in Tech, Jamaican Technologists.
There are so many options out there.
My only criteria is to make sure the group is fairly active...meaning at least one or two posts a day.
Recommended: Do this before you use LinkedIn "Easy Apply" to job search
Last step!
Step 3: Take on Additional & Relevant Work
This step is semi crucial because it’ll give you a leg up once you enter the interview process. :-)
Try to start helping out that business unit at your current job or someplace else.
Volunteer work still counts.
You can do this okay?
Try not to skip this one!
In Summary:
Transitioning doesn't have to be as hard as your mind makes it out to be...and in 2020 its easier than ever, and actually a perfect time to do so.
Employers are expecting that employees are looking around at themselves and their environments and thinking...is this all there is out there…?
So take advantage and get started by…
1. Making your exit strategy plan.
2. Scheduling informational interviews to get the real real before you make the leap!
3. And, lastly, try tacking on as much experience as you can before you resign and jump into the job market waters….
Related: How to get MORE interview requests by doing less
Need more help or just want to say wassup?
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