It's not easy to transition into another industry, but the process isn't complicated. If you're wondering how to change jobs with little to no experience, then read on. Related:8 Steps To Changing Jobs With A Current Employer When you're applying for a job in a new industry, putting information from another job that is unrelated is going to raise a red flag for any potential employer. They're going to ask why you were in the other job for so long instead of switching to this industry earlier. If you're younger, it's easier to pull off, but the question may still come up. With that thought in mind, there's not always a way to craft your resume that will get you hired for the job you want. You can still convince them to hire you, but it won't be solely because of your resume. You have to strategize on a higher level. Make sure the resume isn't the main focus of your pitch, especially online. People should come across other stories and documents about you first to give you the best shot at getting the job or being seriously considered. If they see your resume first, they'll probably disqualify you pretty quickly. They don't know your personality or aptitude, which are the qualifications you can utilize regardless of your level of experience. (On your resume, lead with your degree if it's relevant and the experience you have, including anything that could be related to your new field. It may not be your top priority in this situation, but neglecting it would also be a poor choice.) Leverage the relevant skills you have to meet people and tell a great story about your past. If you frame your experience in terms of what the employer wants, it will be much easier to prove you're a fit for the job (and the company in general). The example in the video above is a bartender trying to become a marketer. Customer service can be an important element of both of those roles, depending on the exact responsibilities. In terms of your starting position, you'll begin at least one step lower than where you would have been if you were working in the industry all along, but if the potential employer knows you're okay with that, it shouldn't be an issue. There are so many people that think certain jobs or tasks are beneath them, and that can quickly turn employers off. Stressing that you understand and are open to those possibilities will make it easier on the hiring manager to choose you. Showing your personality really can't happen in a resume or cover letter, which is why it's so important to find ways to meet people at the company. Lead with your story, not your resume. Meet people at the company at the level you're applying for and above too. If you can exhibit your personality and aptitude through those channels, you just may land the job.
It's not uncommon to feel lost when embarking on your job search journey. After all, school teaches us everything except how to get a job. What should you put on your resume? What questions should you ask in an interview? How can you stand out in the hiring process when there's so much competition?
Are you feeling spooked yet?
Believe it or not, there's no need to be afraid of the job search process! You can land your dream job with the right tools and strategy. You can find a job that won't give you nightmares. Here are three spooky secrets every job seeker should know as they look for a job this fall.
1. An Effective Job Search Starts With An Interview Bucket List
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Despite your fears, you've decided to take the plunge and look for a new job. You might be asking yourself, "Where do I start?" The answer is simple: start by creating an interview bucket list.
An interview bucket list is a list of 10-20 companies you'd love to work for. Are you passionate about a company's products or services? Do you feel connected to its mission? Can you relate to its values and beliefs as an organization? If you answer "yes" to any of these questions, that company probably belongs on your interview bucket list.
Once you create an interview bucket list, you'll be able to conduct a targeted job search, one with direction and a foundation upon which everything else will be built. An interview bucket list helps you focus your job search and networking strategies on the right opportunities, making it easier to get your foot in the door at one of your dream companies.
2. Your Job Application Needs To Disrupt Hiring Managers
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In order to stand out in the hiring process, you need to disrupt recruiters and hiring managers. You accomplish this by doing two things: optimizing your resume and writing a disruptive cover letter.
A well-optimized resume includes keywords from the job description. This ensures your resume gets past the ATS and into the hands of the hiring manager. Once it's in front of the hiring manager, it needs to grab and keep their attention. Quantifying your work experience—adding numbers to your bullet points—will make you stand out from other applicants. Hiring managers will want to know more about you and your accomplishments, and that's how you land a phone interview.
Before that, though, a hiring manager will read your cover letter. To disrupt them, you need to write a disruptive cover letter (obviously!). A disruptive cover letter gives you the opportunity to tell a story about why you feel connected to the company you're applying for. It's that storytelling aspect that will stand out to hiring managers and compel them to pick up the phone and give you a call.
3. Employers Hire You Based On 3 Things
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You can't get hired unless you know what employers are assessing you on in the interview process. While your skills and expertise matter, companies actually hire for three things: personality, aptitude, and experience (in that order).
Most job seekers don't realize how important it is to demonstrate their personality, aptitude, and experience in an interview. You could have the right experience for a job, but if the hiring manager doesn't think your personality is a good fit for the company culture, you probably won't get a job offer.
Make sure you demonstrate your soft skills and learn how to answer behavioral interview questions to prove you're the best candidate for the job you're applying for, not just the most qualified.
Want To Learn More Job Search Secrets?
As you look for a job this fall, it might be helpful to know some more spooky secrets so you can get over your job search fears and finally take control of your career.
We know the job search process can be scary. However, it's important to get clear on what you want to do next and focus on conducting a strategic job search, or what we refer to at Work It DAILY as job shopping. This is the only way to effectively market yourself to employers. If they can't see exactly where and how you add value, then that's going to decrease your chances of landing the job.
The competition is fierce, and there are a lot of factors that are out of your control. But the one factor you can control is your job search strategy, the tools and tactics you use to land a job.
If you want to learn the secrets to conducting a strategic job search, sign up for our Job Search Bootcamp, a two-hour, on-demand video workshop that comes with a free workbook.
In this video workshop, you'll learn:
- How to use backchanneling to get directly to hiring managers.
- The secret to using a connection story to stand out against the competition.
- How social media can be your secret weapon to get job interviews.
- The resume format that is getting job seekers more job interviews.
- And, a lot more hacks for job search success!
Let us show you the secrets to getting a new, better-paying job you actually love. Sign up for our Job Search Bootcamp today.
Are you ready to land the job of your dreams (and leave the job of your nightmares)?
