Career Change: Success Tips

Successful career change is based on first making an honest assessment of your skills and experiences. Then you match them against the current market conditions. Finally you set realistic goals. Here are five strategies to keep in mind when changing careers:

  • Plan for a longer job search.
    Changing industries requires research, which requires time. Assess your financial situation and make realistic decisions. You may have to consider an interim position or part-time work or even volunteering to bridge to your new career and gain valuable experience.

  • Learn the business.
    Read every article you can find on the industry, so that you can leverage your skills in offering solutions to industry challenges and demonstrate the value you would add to an organization.

  • Find a coach.
    Coaches can provide you with insights into your new career field. They can also introduce you to key people and give you success advice. Treat them well for they are valuable resources.

  • Forget about ads and search firms.
    With the exception of entry-level positions, companies run ads to recruit prospects with specific experience. This is also true of search firms, who are paid to find highly experienced talent that matches the job description exactly.

  • Network, network, network.
    Networking is the key to any successful job search, especially in the case of a career change. The most effective way to transfer skills to a new field or new career is by using your contacts. Companies are more willing to take risks on people who are referred to them by individuals who can account for the candidates' abilities and potential.

    Marcia Zidle, the 'people smarts' coach, works with business leaders to quickly solve their people management headaches so they can concentrate on their #1 job ­ to grow and increase profits. She offers free help through Leadership Briefing, a weekly e-newsletter with practical tips on leadership style, employee motivation, recruitment and retention and relationship management. Subscribe by going to http://leadershiphooks.com/ and get the bonus report "61 Leadership Time Savers and Life Savers". Marcia is the author of the What Really Works Handbooks ­ resources for managers on the front line and the Power-by-the-Hour programs ­ fast, convenient, real life, affordable courses for leadership and staff development. She is available for media interviews, conference presentations and panel discussions on the hottest issues affecting the workplace today. Contact Marcia at 800-971-7619.


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    In The News:


    IBTimes

    A Lifetime of Career Changes
    Wall Street Journal (blog)
    “The declining job duration and declining probability of long-term employment clearly implies that individuals are changing jobs more,†Farber said. ...
    Seven Careers in a Lifetime? Think Twice, Researchers SayWall Street Journal

    all 39 news articles »

    What Labor Day Means to Me
    Huffington Post (blog)
    ... post-employment services, including skills training, job search assistance, job retention support, and other career programs tailored to their needs. ...


    UCO to host career fair
    Edmond Sun
    Free and open to the public, the fair will feature various local and national organizations that will be on hand to discuss full-time employment, ...

    and more »

    Troy Media Corporation

    America's employment malaise ominous news
    Troy Media Corporation
    Yet as everyone knows, retraining is an uphill battle, particularly for workers later in their careers or ones who aren't interested in being re-trained. ...

    and more »

    UN researchers criticize UN anti-poverty plan
    BusinessWeek
    Hot Careers in Internet Marketing Get prepared for your new career with online degrees from Full Sail University! T. Rowe Price No-load mutual funds and ...

    and more »

    Warning over cut to Surrey Connexions funding
    BBC News
    Cuts to a careers advice service will create a generation of young people "lost to employment and training", campaigners have warned. ...
    Calls for council u-turn on funding for youngstersEagle Radio

    all 2 news articles »

    CACI Receives Excellence in Innovation Recognition for Deploying Talent ...
    MarketWatch (press release)
    It was specifically developed to provide meaningful careers for talented veterans with disabilities. The company recognized that the re-employment of ...

    and more »

    Charlotte Observer

    For young blacks, few jobs
    Charlotte Observer
    As plentiful research shows, young people who can't get steady employment at the onset of their careers have lower lifetime earnings. ...


    As the economy turns the corner, young Canadians face downsized 'dream'
    Vancouver Sun
    That wake-up call could be especially jarring for 20-somethings launching their careers. As a young man, Blaine Higgs had relatively modest career goals: ...

    and more »

    A Small Step Forward for Initial Jobless Claims
    DailyFinance
    With the latest weekly initial jobless claims declining 6000 to 472000, the US labor market has ...

    and more »
    Google News

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