Become an Insider in a New Industry

The Door to Career Transition

This is the time of career transition for many job seekers. It is important to know strategies for recreating yourself as an insider in a new industry, and learning how successfully to transfer your skills to a new line of endeavor. Keep in mind that you may indeed have to do a full-fledged career transition not once in your work lifetime, but perhaps several times

When you want to change industries, or go back to an old industry, one cannot let one's most recent position act as a handicap.

Coming from a background different from the field you may be targeting can actually be an advantage. Although you may have no actual experience in an area, and will almost certainly be competing with workers who have solid experience, you can separate yourself from the competition. You can simply point out that you are different, and that you can do other things that the competition can't do. Sometimes this works.

Your positioning statement (see Resume Tips) is very important when you are making a move like this. The positioning statement sets the tone for the rest of the resume, so its importance can't be overestimated. It is crucial to get your pitch strong and ready for the new industry.

Career changes have to be negotiated carefully, but you can do it. Search firms don't lie handling career changers, so you are on your own here.

Know that you must offer proof of your interest and capability in the new arena.

• Read the industry's trade journals and go to every possible meeting associated with the trade.
• Get to know the people in your new industry or field.
• Join organizations in the new field, and attend every meeting you can.
• Be persistent. There's that fine line between persistence and being a pest. Figure out where that is, and respect it.
• Know how your skills can be transformed and know how to show this.
• Write proposals. You have nothing to lose. Just keep on doing it.
• Continue your persistence.
• Take any relevant courses, part-time jobs, or do volunteer work related to the new industry or skill arena.
• Don't give up. Be creative.
• Seemingly unrelated skills from former positions may actually help you get a job. Know these skills, and how to articulate them.

Practice a pitch of who you are and what you will be doing. It should last only a few minutes, and it will be the foundation for both your summary statement on the resume and the primary talking point in interviews. Know who you are! What do you want people to remember about you?

Your pitch is the backbone of your job search. Know what you bring to the party that your competitors do not. Be able to let interviewers know that you are competent and interested, say things that are relevant, and come across at the right level. Above all, tailor your pitch to suit the situation—and show unbridled enthusiasm. Job seekers, and especially career changers, sometimes underestimate the power of enthusiasm. It goes such a long way toward a positive conclusion.

Would you like to Become an Insider? Click here for Transition Services.