Are you a mid to senior-level manager who is finding it hard to look for a job after switching careers? You’re not alone. Switching careers can be a daunting task, especially if you’ve been in your previous career for 10+ years. However, with the right approach and a well-crafted resume, you can showcase your new job search to potential employers and land your dream job.
- Here are some common problems faced by mid to senior-level managers when switching careers and solutions to help showcase their new job search in their resume:
Problem: Lack of clarity on the new career path
Solution: The first step to switching careers is to gain clarity on your new career path. Research the industry, job roles, and companies that interest you. Attend job fairs, network with professionals in the field, and take online courses to gain knowledge and skills related to your new career path.
Example: A marketing executive who wants to switch to the field of education can start by attending job fairs and speaking with representatives from schools, colleges, and universities. They can also join education-related groups on LinkedIn and attend webinars or workshops to gain knowledge about the education industry.
Things to do:
- Research the industry, job roles, and companies that interest you
- Attend job fairs, network with professionals in the field, and take online courses to gain knowledge and skills related to your new career path
Problem: Limited experience in the new industry
Solution: If you have limited experience in your new industry, focus on transferable skills that can be applied to your new job. For instance, if you’re switching from finance to marketing, highlight your skills in data analysis, budget management, and strategic planning, which can be valuable in a marketing role.
Example: A finance manager who wants to switch to marketing can highlight their experience in budget management, financial analysis, and strategic planning. These skills are highly transferable to marketing roles, where data analysis, budget management, and strategic planning are key components of the job.
Things to do:
- Identify your transferable skills and highlight them on your resume
- Research the job requirements of the new industry and match them with your transferable skills
Problem: Difficulty in highlighting relevant experience on the resume
Solution: When switching careers, it’s important to customize your resume to the new job you’re applying for. Focus on the skills and experience that are most relevant to the new job, rather than providing a detailed account of your entire work history. Use bullet points to showcase your accomplishments, and quantify your achievements where possible.
Example: A project manager who wants to switch to a business development role can customize their resume to highlight their sales skills and experience. They can focus on their achievements in lead generation, client relationship management, and revenue growth, rather than providing a detailed account of their project management experience.
Things to do:
- Customize your resume to the job requirements of the new industry
- Focus on the skills and experience that are most relevant to the new job
- Use bullet points to showcase your accomplishments and quantify your achievements
Problem: Overcoming employer biases
Solution: Unfortunately, employers may have biases against candidates who are switching careers, especially if they have been in their previous career for a long time. To overcome this bias, be upfront about your career switch in your cover letter and explain why you’re interested in the new industry. Also, highlight any transferable skills or experience that can be applied to the new job.
Example: A lawyer who wants to switch to a non-profit role can be upfront about their career switch in their cover letter and explain their passion for social justice and advocacy work. They can also highlight their transferable skills, such as communication, negotiation, and project management, that can be valuable in a non-profit role.
Things to do:
- Be upfront about your career switch in your cover letter
- Explain why you’re interested in the new industry
- Highlight any transferable skills or experience that can be applied to the new job
Problem: Lack of industry-specific keywords on the resume
Solution: When applying for a job in a new industry, it’s important to use industry-specific keywords on your resume. This will help your resume pass through applicant tracking systems (ATS) and be seen by potential employers. Use job descriptions and industry-specific language to help identify relevant keywords.
Example: A journalist who wants to switch to a content marketing role can use industry-specific keywords on their resume such as “content strategy,” “SEO optimization,” and “social media marketing.” These keywords will help their resume pass through ATS and be seen by potential employers.
Things to do:
- Use industry-specific keywords on your resume
- Identify relevant keywords from job descriptions and industry-specific language
In summary, switching careers after 10+ years of working experience can be a challenging process, but it’s not impossible. By gaining clarity on your new career path, identifying transferable skills, customizing your resume, and being upfront about your career switch, you can showcase your new job search to potential employers and land your dream job. Remember to use industry-specific keywords on your resume and highlight your accomplishments and achievements to stand out from other candidates.
Good luck on your job search!
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