Do’s and Don’ts for Career Transition
If you’re looking to change careers there are several things that can get in the way of a smooth transition. You want to be sure you address these areas, while not getting stuck or slowed down by poor preparation. True, economics can play a role in available opportunities, but by your using a more focused and strategic approach, you’ll get faster and lasting results, beating out the competition. Here’s a few key areas to assist you:
DO’S
1. Update and make relevant for the job you seek, your resume, appearance, attitude, contacts list for possible introductions, personal and professional assessments, learning and training.
2. Fully research what you would be doing in the new job, confident you are the right fit for it, and learn all you can about your customer, competitors, best marketing practices, the economic industry ranking and financial expectations, networking strategies and your most effective business development channels.
3. Set up your support team. Who will help mentor you? Who will help position you? Who will coach you? Navigate into new territories with a select boat full of your best advisors and confidantes.
DON’TS
1. Avoid unnecessary or excessive research of jobs sites, newspaper ads or job boards. Cover the basics, but don’t overlook step one which is develop a list of potential supporters, conveying your short blurb on your chosen career area and your top 3 qualifications for it. Request specific support for introductions and ideas from them.
2. Don’t overplan. Too much contemplation is like choosing the perfect design for a table you desire, spending time purchasing supplies and selecting where the table will go, but never building it. If you’re rusty in the best approach to take, turn to your team of advisors or hire a coach. But don’t let planning dull your passion or keep you from moving ahead.
3. Don’t spend too much time or money in re-training unless you’re absolutely certain that you will use that training in your next career phase or that it’s necessary to make you available for the job opportunity. Decide what you absolutely need to reach your career goal, set your budget accordingly and carefully select your training and trainers. Eventually you have to say you have what it takes and delaying for additional education could be a stalling tactic to avoid making the leap and putting yourself out there for the job.
Tags: career planning, career transition, planning, strategic approach
