Top 10 Tips for Career Changers

How many of you reading this, right now, can look at your career and find yourself saying things like "I hate what I do" or "If I had my way, I'd rather be doing ____________" or "I just sort of fell into this" or "I never thought I'd be here this long." If these sentiments sound familiar, then chances are you've already considered changing careers.

There was a time when changing a career was virtually unheard of. Sure, a person might change jobs or even companies now and again, but what they did day-to-day generally stayed the same - they were in sales, or finance, or logistics, or retail. But this was also back in a day when working with one company from cradle to grave was the benchmark of a fine career.


In today's work world, the benchmark is different. Changing your career is quite common, very possible, and often recommended. In a full-time job, we spend roughly 50% of our waking hours every week at work, getting ready for work, and travelling to work. Personally, I consider 50% of my waking hours quite precious, so I made a major career change a number of years ago and started my own company. And I am much happier and professionally satisfied than ever.

You too can make a significant career change if you want, but it's not as simple as changing a pair of shoes. Changing a career takes work, careful thought, and a plan if you want to do it right - but the payoffs can be life changing. So here are a few key points you need to consider if a major career change is in your future.

1. Be clear

I've had many clients come to me and say "I don't know what I want to do; I just know I want out of here now." Well, the motivation is obviously there but the lack of focus will virtually guarantee failure, because even if this person does manage to get another job, chances are it won't be the right job and he/she will be looking for something new again in short order.


If you know what you want, great! If, however, you still aren't certain, then you need to take the time and effort to find out. Trust me, it will be worth it. You will need to go through a good self-assessment process - this will help you determine where your true interests and passions lie, how your skills might relate, and what gaps might need to be addressed. While there are some interesting career assessment tools out there, in my opinion you cannot replace the value that a good career coach can provide.


On the web, you can find the right career coach for you in a number of places, including:

- Career Masters Institute

- Professional Association of Resume Writers and Career Coaches

- Association of Career Professionals International

- Career Coach Academy

2. Give yourself a realistic timeframe

While your motivation to change may be immediate, chances are the transition will take some time. If you rush into it ill-prepared and in a rush, chances are you're going to get frustrated. So, be realistic about how long this might take. There might be training you need, you will most likely need to do research into your new industry, you will need to make a new list of contacts, etc.

Give yourself a realistic timeframe to make the change. It will help you guarantee success and reduce stress and frustration.

3. Know your new industry/job

Its one thing to say "I want to be in the movie industry", but it's another thing entirely to get into it and succeed. What will you do? How will you start? What sort of salaries can you expect? You need to know your new industry back to front, and you need a good idea of where YOU are going to fit in.

Here are some questions you need to ask yourself:

- What does the industry do? What are its sub-categories?

- What's the current/future climate in the industry?

- What types of jobs/careers are there?

- Who are the big players?

- What type of person succeeds?

- What skills/experience/training are they looking for?

- Who can I talk to?

- Do they have a professional association or networking group? Can I become a member?

It's often been said that the quality of our life is determined the quality of the questions we ask. The same is true here - ask the right question and you'll get the right information.
4. Know your unique VALUE

Once you know everything about your target, you need to pinpoint how you can fit into it. It's very important that you know how to articulate why this transition makes sense - not just to you, but to the new company/industry as well.

What unique value or expertise can you offer them that others can't? Chances are there's something from your previous career that can be of use in your new career. Some people call these things "transferable skills", but I like to refer to "transferable value". If you try to sell yourself to a new industry on skills alone, you'll be out-gunned by someone from within the industry who has more experience. But if you try to sell yourself on the unique "value" that you can offer based on your unique experience, now you have a marketable edge.

5. Refocus your resume and cover letters

Obviously, your old resume and cover letter will not work. Your new resume must reflect what your new audience is looking for. Again, you need to be able to make a compelling argument on paper as to why this switch makes sense, not just for you but for the company!

If you thought writing a powerful resume is tough, writing a powerful and convincing "career change" resume is even tougher. You may want to strongly consider enlisting the services of a professional resume writer. This is what we are trained to do.

6. Make a plan

Time and time again, studies prove that people with a well-designed plan generally achieve their goals with greater success than those who try to wing it. With all of the information you now have on your new target, assemble a road map that will help you get there - including specific milestones along the way and specific timelines to achieve them.

Once you have your plan together, write down your daily, weekly, and monthly goals in your daytimer and check them off as you achieve them. Adjust the plan as you learn more and continue to chart your best course

Remember, a dream remains a dream until it's written down - then it becomes a goal. Once you have your goal, you can assemble a plan, and once you have your plan, you're halfway there!

TIP: If you are changing careers, don't count too much on recruiters as part of your plan. Recruiters are paid to find the absolute best candidate for a given industry, and more often than not (at least to a recruiter) that translates into recent industry experience - nothing more, nothing less. Except in tremendous circumstances, career changers usually don't appear on their radar.

7. Get talking

Honestly, I'm not a fan of the term "networking" - it's been done to death. But for career changers, I strongly recommend simply talking to people. You need to learn as much as you can about your target, and while books and courses help, there's no substitute for actually talking to someone who's doing it.

So, expand your circle of contacts to include experienced people in your new industry. Talk to others who have made a similar transition into the industry. Find out who the big players are in your local market and find a way to meet and talk with them (industry associations are great for this).

The key is to meet, learn from, and get to know people in your new carer path who are already successful at it! They can be a tremendous source of information and advice, can introduce you to the right people, and might even be willing to serve as a mentor for you. Find the right people and get talking!

8. Appreciate and understand your competition

Way back in the early 70's, there was a famous boxing match between Mohammed Ali and George Foreman, the infamous "Rumble in the Jungle". George Foreman was younger, bigger, stronger, and without question the single most intimidating opponent Ali had ever faced. Many people feared not just that the aging Ali would lose the fight, but that he might actually be killed in the ring. However, despite his opponent's obvious advantages, Mohammed Ali had one unique advantage himself - he was smarter. Ali knew his opponent well, and in the end figured out a way to defeat them despite his superior strengths.



When you are making a career change, you will be competing against people who have immediate experience in the area. Obviously, they have an advantage over you. So, like Mohammed Ali, its best that you know who your competition is, know their strengths, deal with them, and learn to overcome them.

This is why it's so critical for you to understand and effectively advertise your unique value, what you specifically offer from your experience that your competition can't offer. Use it as an advantage. Like any competition, you need to know, understand, and appreciate who your opponent is - only then can you figure out the best strategy to be successful.

It's often been said that the quality of our life is determined the quality of the questions we ask. The same is true here - ask the right question and you'll get the right information.

9. Be flexible

I'm a firm advocate of shooting for the stars - why start from the bottom when you can start from the middle or the top? In your career change, I assume you've done your homework and that you know where you can realistically enter your new chosen field. While it's ideal to start at the top, earn what you were earning, and otherwise hit the ground running, you may also need to be realistic and flexible when it comes to where you start and what you earn.

In certain cases - especially where the chosen field is fiercely competitive or nepotistic - it may be necessary to make a few sacrifices in order to first get in the door, so be willing to be flexible. The easier you make it on the employer to overcome any hesitancy in hiring you, the better your chances.

10. Be persistent

I'll end with one of my favourite quotes. It's by Calvin Coolidge and it speaks for itself:

"Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence.

Talent will not - nothing is more common than unsuccessful people with talent.

Genius will not - unrewarded genius is almost a proverb.

Education will not - the world is full of educated derelicts.

Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent."


Keep at it, stay focused, and best of luck!



© 2005 Ross Macpherson
About the Author
Ross Macpherson is the President of Career Quest, a Certified Professional Resume Writer, and a Career Success Coach who has helped thousands of motivated professionals advance their careers. To receive more valuable career advice, sign up to join his monthly newsletter "Career Accelerator" by visiting www.yourcareerquest.com.