Fasten your seat belt! This change will not happen overnight, it will be a roller coaster of the process.
Here are five mistakes to avoid as you navigate the job change process.
Mistake #1: Assume that changing jobs is easy
As alluded to in the opening paragraph, the job change process is an emotional roller coaster ride and nothing is easy! And when setbacks pile up, you lose confidence and become frustrated.
You need to take a step back and taper your expectations.
The job market remains competitive, and the job search process has changed significantly, depending on how long you have been with your previous job. The way you look for a job, the way you apply, the way you interview, etc., will never be the same.
Mistake #2: Not Doing Enough Research
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You decide that you don’t want to continue on your current career path and have narrowed down to another career to pursue. Guess what? That’s not enough!
You should research the industry you are going into to see how much of your professional skills transfer to the new career field. You should also take a hard look at your missing skills and explore upskilling options to acquire those valuable skills. This might be the hardest of all career change challenges. However, addressing issues early in the job search will only pay off more in the long run.
On top of all this, you need to have a deep understanding of the landscape of your target industry. Some industries, such as journalism, are struggling and are seeing large cuts in their workforces, while others are on the brink of automation. Researching occupational salaries is also important, so there are no surprises in the process (more on that later).
Mistake #3: Attacking the Job Change Process Alone
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If you’ve neglected or don’t have a professional network, it’s a good idea to make it a top priority before you start your job search.
A career change is hard enough on its own, but few people can pull it off without a little help. This is where your expert network can help. Talking to former colleagues, professional acquaintances, and mentors will not only help shape your career path, but they may also be able to recommend companies that are right for you and provide you with initial introductions.
If your network of experts needs some work done, reach out to your colleagues and see if they can refer you to an expert in their network. Additionally, you can consider attending some local networking events to meet new people.
Online networking tools such as LinkedIn also provide opportunities for job seekers to actively search for jobs. If you identify companies that interest you, you can use LinkedIn to connect with people at those companies. You can also contact recruiters at these companies. Networking efforts should coincide with your job search.
Mistake #4: Ignore your resume
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In the past, there may have been times when a uniform resume was fine, but that is no longer the case. Every resume should be tailored to the specific job it is intended for. Modern recruiters are dealing with so many resumes that they only have time to read them.
Basically, it takes 6 seconds to get that recruiter’s attention therefore, all skills relevant to the job should be listed at the top of the resume.
Some people spend most of their time writing great cover letters, yet still fall into the trap of using the same resume over and over again. Both documents deserve equal attention. It might take a little extra time, but it’s better than being skipped over and over again in job interviews.
Mistake #5: Expecting to Make More Money
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It might surprise you if you’re changing careers just to make more money. Sure, there are career changes that can give you a quick pay raise, depending on your industry and professional experience.
However, in many cases, the economic benefits of changing jobs are long-term rather than short-term. It is very likely that you will have to cut your salary at first until you have proven yourself in your new position. This is especially true when a company takes a chance and hires you with less experience. The company wants to make sure you can do the job before making a big investment.
That’s why it’s important to do a salary survey early in the process and plan accordingly. The job search process isn’t easy, but if you follow the right steps, it doesn’t have to be miserable. We hope that by avoiding these 5 mistakes, you’ll feel a little less daunted and intimidated when changing careers. Also (not on the list) be careful not to leave your current job prematurely before securing a new one (unless you have the resources).
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