I won’t lie; making a career transition is a very difficult thing. In a lot of cases, many professionals have been working for a number of years in one area and then decide they want to pursue a different line of work. Some decide that they want to do something they are more passionate about; work in an area that they previously studied; or even, pursue something that was a hobby and turn it into their professional life. No matter what the reason, there are some basic things that you need to explore and understand to ensure that you are not wasting your time.
Industry Understanding: Once you have decided to make the transition, do you understand enough about the industry that you are now targeting? Oftentimes I hear people talk about making a transition, yet they don’t fully understand the industry parameters or players. Part of what will make your transition smoother is KNOWLEDGE. You need to do the research about the industry, including trends. This will help you identify positions that might be right for you, and also set you up to prepare yourself for a change.
Viability: This is a topic that begs serious consideration. Is transitioning a viable option for you? I have found that people decide they are going to make a switch without fully exploring or understanding the potential ramifications, including salary and position. It is likely that you will need to take a step back in your career to make a move. Unless you are totally unencumbered – family, car payments, a mortgage or two can put the kebash on a transition where you will definitely feel it in your wallet. This obvious hurdle notwithstanding, what about the (potential) blow to your ego when you are interviewing for junior positions? Is transitioning really a viable option for you?
Education: One thing that many people fail to consider is that additional education might be necessary to make a successful transition. You will need to factor this expense and time commitment into your overall program. A relevant industry certification can help open doors and give you the credibility to make a transition.
Plan of Attack: To avoid wasting a tremendous amount of energy and time, you will need to develop an action plan for the transition. There is nothing that is a bigger time waster than a disorganized approach to your search. You will likely feel more than a little lost and harried – unless you create your ‘transition plan’. This should include the following elements: