Since all sectors of the economy do not perform the same – with some industries faring better than others – job-seekers need to learn how to transfer their skills and expertise to those that are hiring. It is the simplest type of career change to make.
The employment picture can change several times during the year. Employees must learn how to determine which industries have the best employment prospects and how to leverage their experience in one industry to another.
About one-third of job-seekers are successfully transferring the skills they have developed in their careers to other industries.
The biggest roadblock to getting a job in another industry is not necessarily that you do not have experience in that area. Often, people do not know which industries to target other than their own and how to effectively position themselves as viable candidates.
ClearRock offers this advice to job-seekers on how to transfer their expertise from one industry to another:
Determine which industries have the most job openings. Follow the monthly job reports that the federal government issues for the country and your state to discover which industries are hiring the most and where demand for your skills would be greatest.
Search first in industries that are closely related to the ones where you have the most experience. You may be able to transfer the experience you have acquired in one financial-related industry, such as banking, to other financial-related industries such as credit unions, mortgage companies, and financial planning. Or parlay your journalism skills into a career in public relations or marketing.
Stick with the same function. You will have more success in trying to switch from being an accountant for a manufacturer to being an accountant for a hospital, for example, than you will have in trying to get a new job in a functional area in which you have no experience at all.
Research the new industries in which you are interested. Conduct Internet research and read trade-related publications and websites about the new fields you are targeting.
Talk with others about switching industries. Inform your career network that you are looking at opportunities in other industries and you are interested in learning more about these areas. Find out if they know anyone in the new industries and could arrange a meeting or provide referrals.
Clearly communicate the value of your work. Even if you are applying for a job in a different industry, the goal will be the same – to achieve your objectives as effectively and quickly as possible. Provide specific examples from your career to verify that you have the skills an employer has identified as being critical to succeeding in the job.
Focus on what you can add immediately. Can you bring in clients with you if you are hired? Do you have any special relationships with vendors that may result in discounts? Employers are looking to increase business and reduce costs.
Learn the language of the new industries. Just as you have buzzwords in your industry, you need to learn the terms and trends of the industry in which you are applying. It’s not only important to ‘walk the talk,’ but you need to be able to ‘talk the talk’ as well.
Use the right key words in your resume. Specify each particular area in which you are proficient, such as marketing, accounting, sales, budgeting and managing inventory, so your expertise in your line of work will compensate for your lack of experience in the industry. Use terms and buzzwords that are relevant to the industry so your resume will score well when scanned.
