So, you want to change careers and enter an entirely new field, but you’re not sure if you’ll be accepted? After all, you don’t have the relevant technical knowledge to hold down a job in the new field you’re considering. In such a scenario, how do you prove to prospective employers that you are a good fit for the job?
Here are a few ways by which you can demonstrate to your prospective employers or hiring managers that you are, in fact, the right candidate for the job.
- Be confident and optimistic.
It pays to look confident and optimistic, almost as if the job was made for you. True, this might be a bit difficult, but if you exude confidence, hiring managers will do all they can to continue the conversation with you.
At this point, you should focus on why you truly believe you would be good at this job. Make a list of all these reasons beforehand, so that you can put them across during the interview. If you demonstrate confidence, you can convince the hiring manager of your abilities.
- Prepare well for the interview.
Prepare well for all kinds of questions that could be thrown at you, not just job skills or industry experience. When you prove that you have such knowledge, you could come close to being accepted for the job. Check out the necessary skills, frequently asked questions, and related topics for your target job profile using resources like JobCompass and LinkedIn.
- Customize your resume to highlight all the skills you have.
Make a list of all the skills you’ve ever honed from all the jobs you’ve done and make your resume look enviable. This way, your prospective employer will have a better handle on what you’re worth and which of the skills you’ve highlighted in your resume can be useful to him. Check out https://www.arcresumes.com/local/georgia/ for help with resumes in Georgia.
- If technical skills are required, learn them.
You may not be able to have all the required technical skills or the level at which you would need to, but by taking a course or practicing them on your own, you can develop them to an extent. Be honest about what you know well and then leave it to the hiring manager.
- Demonstrate your level of experience in these ways.
You may not fulfil the exact requirements where technical skills are concerned, but surely you can demonstrate to your prospective employers that you have many transferrable skills that will be of great value in the job you apply for. Highlight them in your resume.
Here are some that you can go with:
Volunteer experience
By listing all the volunteer work you’ve ever done over a period of time, you can show that your skill base is wide and that you can be committed to your new job. With volunteering, you get a platform which helps you get solid results that you can showcase to future employers.
Project experience
If you join an affinity group at work, you might never have to look for hands-on experience at your current job. By being a member of an affinity group of writers, for instance, you could improve your writing skills.
The experience you gain by doing things outside your normal work routine counts for a lot and makes you a more well-rounded personality.
When you meet people at different levels and functions in your organization’s affinity groups, you can widen your network and learn from them.
Academic experience
Just because you want a career change doesn’t mean that you go back to school and get a degree. You might learn on your own or take up an online course. These are enough by way of substantial proof that you do know your subject and are genuinely interested in making the change.
From your academic experience, you will gain several skills and core expertise. Besides, you learn to participate in assignments and group projects, and hands-on experience. These skills go a long way in any job, so it’s well worth putting down in your resume.
Deep, core expertise
You might be interested in a particular field and know a lot about it but not use that knowledge to get a job in that field. But if you did, the knowledge that you hold would be enough to qualify you for a job in that particular field.
You would surely track developments and trends in this particular field and this is sure to impress your prospective employers, as you both would speak the same language.
- Ask a colleague or manager in your current organization for a referral highlighting your job skills.
It’s not as if you have no skills at all or none that will be useful in the one you’re considering. If you’re confident you’ll do well in it, ask your colleague or manager for a referral that highlights your job skills. This is a highly reliable resource that can go a long way.
Sites that offer work from home jobs
These days, you don’t necessarily have to work at an office. There are many sites that offer work from home jobs, though not all of them are reliable. One has to make sure that site is legit and offers genuine jobs.
Concluding Remarks
Job boards and websites are increasing in popularity every day. What does this mean for you? It means that more and more applicants are relying heavily on them for giving the right information about jobs and hiring through them is also high.
Though they may present the ideal job descriptions that a hiring manager might be looking for, it doesn’t necessarily mean that an applicant is supposed to possess all of them. Don’t make the mistake of thinking that you need to possess all the qualifications, skills and expertise that the job description lists.
You may have other skills or have worthier experience not listed in the description. So, don’t let this deter you. if you’re sure of yourself, put your best foot forward and ace that job you’ve got your eye on.
I’m a 20-something stay-at-home mother and wife. I have an amazing husband, a beautiful daughter, two loving dogs, and a lazy cat. I wouldn’t change my life for anything! I love to read, listen to music, cook and blog!
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