Making a career change usually takes time and effort. So getting prepared in the lead-up to making a career move can make the process more effective. As a career coach, I’ve created the following questions to uncover areas that may need some attention. As the saying goes…..’Preparation Prevents Poor Performance.’ To improve your chances and land your dream job or make a career change into another industry, take the time to consider your responses to each question below.
Career decisions are values-based decisions. Defining your values gives you insight into what you need and want to thrive in a job and a career. From here, you can navigate a path towards the type of work that is both satisfying and in harmony with what matters to you.
Character strengths are those that capture your uniqueness and authenticity and which ignite energy when using them. Known as your Signature Strengths, using them consistently in your work has been linked to happiness and life satisfaction.
As a part of a career change, you will have many transferrable skills – probably more than you think. The skills landscape is vast – here are some of the skills clusters to consider – communication, organisation, creativity & innovation, interpersonal, leadership, research, analytical, problem-solving, computer, mathematical, mechanical, personal management, time management, money management.
Identifying any potential barriers in advance will assist you in developing strategies to overcome them. Barriers may include a lack of training, having to compete with more experienced candidates, not having strong connections within a new field, or ageism.
If you are changing industries, you may need to compromise in seniority or pay grade to make the switch. Make sure you consider the consequences both emotionally and financially of this decision.
Your personal brand is how you market or promote yourself and your career. Your unique combination of skill, experience, and personality you want others to see. Tip: check-in and make sure the impression you want to create aligns with what people perceive.
Although they are both forms of personal marketing, they have different purposes. Your LinkedIn profile a more general snapshot of your career achievements and experience, and your resume should be much more specific to the role/s you are applying for. Both need to include the use of keywords to increase your chances of getting noticed.
As the old saying goes, ‘It’s not what you know, it’s who you know.’ Job and career opportunities often start with a conversation with someone in your network or by asking someone in your network to introduce you to particular people within their network. Putting yourself out there can sometimes feel difficult – remind yourself of the opportunities you could uncover by doing so.
Have I extended my job search beyond the usual places such as LinkedIn and Seek? Have I tapped into the ‘hidden job market’ and opportunities within the realms of my network and my network’s network!
You never get a second chance to make a first impression. Your elevator pitch is an introductory summary about you, your background, and your goals to create a positive first impression. It should promote your personal brand, capture attention, and encourage engagement. Useful as you build your network or in a job interview.
Thorough interview preparation can be the difference between securing a job offer or not. It can help overcome nerves and build your confidence to pitch yourself and stand out from other applicants. Understand how to respond to motivational and behavioural questions appropriately, answer challenging questions and avoid interview pitfalls.