5 Career Tips for Changing Industries

When you are considering a career change, it can be daunting. When you are interested changing the industry you are in, it can challenge your self-confidence and feel like uncharted territory.

To combat this, there are a few things that you can do to help you with navigating the change and to increase your chances of success.

#1 Understand your why.

There is likely a reason why you are seeking a change, and understanding your motivation at a deeper level will likely yield a more successful match for you in your next role. Sometimes the reasons are pragmatic, other times it is related to finding a more fulfilling career. Here are some questions to guide your thinking:

• What do I enjoy most about my current role?

• What are my biggest frustrations with my current work? What is the root cause of these? Is it the work itself, or the work environment?

• If I changed careers, what role would best utilize my personal and professional strengths?

• What kind of work would allow me to utilize my passions?

• Am I willing to invest in myself to learn new skills and capacities?

• If I could do anything, it would be ____________.

#2 Identify your non-negotiables

There is a practical aspect of a career change for most people, therefore it is important to understand what is pragmatic. A good fit must meet your minimum needs. Making a list will help you understand the timing, requirements and how you may best transition. Here are a few things to consider:

Location

• Do you need to stay where you are located, or are you open to relocation?

• If open to relocation, are there preferred areas you would be more interested in? Any areas that are a definite “No”?

• If you choose to relocate, is there a particular timing that would be required?

• Are there family considerations for relocating?

Financial Considerations

• What is the minimum salary requirement you require to make a move to a new field?

• What is the target salary and earning potential for the role in which you are seeking?

• Will you require benefits? What would be your minimum expectation, as well as your preferred benefits?

Logistics

• Do you want an in office, hybrid, or remote role?

• If in the same city, what commute time is acceptable?

• If needed, are there childcare facilities in office or nearby?

Career Growth

• Does the role/company provide you the opportunities you are seeking?

• Is upward mobility important to you? Does this opportunity offer that potential?

#3 Research the Industry

Once you have considered what career you would be interested in, seek to really understand the reality of that role and industry. This will help you see it as it really is, rather than an unrealistic view through rose-colored glasses.

Here are some questions to get you started:

• General trends in the overall industry?

• What challenges the industry is facing now, and in the future?

• What companies are leaders in the industry, or new companies with expansion?

• What are typical salaries for the role you are seeking?

• Which skills are the in-demand for this industry?

If you know someone in the industry, ask to discuss their experience or job shadow them for a day if possible. Network with people in the field and let them know you are interested in the industry and role, or join a professional organization related to that field to get to know people and get industry publications and information.

#4 Find Your Fit, Fill the Gaps

After having done the previous activities, now is the time to reflect and determine your next steps.

Reflect on your current skills, and identify the skills that are transversal, those which can be applied to new situations. Skills such as project management, presentation skills, leadership skills, and change management can be applied to many different roles and in different contexts.

Once you identify the skills, review job applications for the roles you are interested in. How does the language specific to your industry vary from your current industry? How can you adapt your resume and cover letter to highlight the skills as applicable in your new field?

What are the gaps you may have for your desired role? Here is where you can plan to fill the gap with a course, certification, or even a new degree. Depending on how wide the gap is, you may be able to move to that industry in a short time frame, or it may take you a bit longer to fill the identified gaps. Perhaps you can take on a role that will provide you the experience and opportunity to move into your desired role.

#5 Prepare to Secure your Role

With resume updated, and skills refreshed you are ready to pursue your opportunity.

Here are a few things you may want to consider:

• Where are open jobs for this role typically posted? Is there a preferred location?

• Is it best to work through a recruiter, or apply to roles independently?

• Who can you network with in the industry to land an interview?

Once you have applied and been asked to interview, here are a few tips to have a successful interview.

• Prepare for your interview by researching company, and people in interview committee if you know who they are.

• Identify 3-5 key talking points. No need to write out everything, but knowing what you want to highlight ahead of time will allow you to work on these points when answering interview questions.

• Prepare a list of questions. Remember, it should be the right fit for you too, so what do you need to know to decide?

• Practice interviewing with someone who may be knowledgeable about the industry. Ensure you think about matching the language and give behavioral examples that will resonate with the people in the interviews.

As you work through this process, it may be beneficial to elicit the support and gain feedback. It can take time, and having support can make all the difference.

This is a highly personalized journey, and you may want to consider using a certified career coach who can support you through the process in a way that honors your unique circumstances. Job searchers who hire a career coach often find higher levels of success, so it is worth considering.