Career change tips: switching industries

The job market today is constantly evolving. Changes in technology and peoples’ perception of work mean that careers are far more fluid and changes are no longer seen as such a bad thing on the resume.

A career change can be both scary and exciting, with many new things to learn and challenges to overcome. To make sure you are well prepared for these challenges it pays to do some planning and research.

Whether you are looking at a career change to get ahead of a change in circumstances with health or family or just want a job that fits better, read our tips on switching industries below to make a start.

Self-reflect

Have a good hard think about what you want in a career. Think about what skills you have currently and what skills you would like to develop. Think about the tasks that you enjoy, the ones you don’t and the ones you can put up with.

Do you want to move to a job that is more flexible? Or maybe one with more responsibility? Do you want to be in an industry that creates an impact on society? Or is it about following what you are passionate about?

Having a clear idea of not just what kind of job you want but what kind of job you can get with your current skill set and experience is important. It might be helpful to make a list of your non-negotiables and your skill set to tick off as you look at possible industries.

Research

So, you have looked in the mirror, done some soul searching and know what you want out of a job. The next step is to find an industry (or industries) that match up with your skills and situation.

If you are a little more flexible to the industry you work in checking out the skills priority list could be a good place to start. It shows a state by state breakdown of jobs that are needed with projections on future demand. These jobs range from entry-level to senior professional roles so there is something for all backgrounds and skill sets.

If you know what industry you would like to work in the JobOutlook website can provide you with more in-depth information on specific roles within your target industry. This includes the skills you will need, how you can get into the industry and other specifics that can help you make a decision.

Talk to people

Have a chat with your friends and family. This could help in two very different ways depending on where you are at. If you are struggling to see yourself in different jobs, your friends and family may have some interesting insights that you may be too close to see. They could provide the inspiration to work in a position you never even considered!

If you have already settled on the types of job you want to shift to in your career change, having a conversation might uncover some useful contacts. With more than half of jobs being filled today as a result of personal or professional connections, it makes sense to see if your personal connections know anyone!

Study

You may need to work on some skills or do some study before you start your career change. Depending on what kind of role that is and the industry type, a short course or vocational training may be all that is required to get a start.

Network

If your personal network of friends and family haven’t uncovered any opportunities, then it may be time to look further afield. Again, it will depend on what kind of job you are looking for but having a LinkedIn profile is a free and easy way to start networking. Using LinkedIn to find jobs is easy and can be more effective than spamming applications on Seek.

Start now

Once you have decided to switch industries and change your career don’t hesitate. Start applying for jobs or taking those steps to get employable in your chosen field. What are you waiting for!

If you need some help with study or finding a role you can always speak to your friendly consultant.