Switching careers is not for the faint of heart.

Changing jobs is difficult, but completely changing industries is tougher. It can be hard to break into a new industry because the decision-makers tend to close ranks. If you haven’t worked in that specific industry, then you can’t possibly know what’s what.

Well, those decision-makers are wrong!

There are plenty of successful people who change industries and bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to the job. And usually, the company is better for it.

The challenge lies in changing the minds of those who are hiring.

Reasons for Switching Careers

Before you can change anyone’s mind, you need to understand your motivations for changing industries.

Passion

Some people feel stuck in dead-end jobs. They feel the weight of hating what they do from 9-5. It’s no way to live! Your dream job shouldn’t literally be a dream.

Switching into an industry that truly ignites your passion is a fantastic decision. Your work will improve because you will feel a stronger sense of purpose. People who are passionate about their work tend to be excellent contributors.

Making a massive change for your passion can be hard to justify, but remember: life is short! There is no sense in spending most of your life doing something that makes you truly unhappy. Instead, explore your options and make a decision.

Job security

While chasing passion is admirable, job security is important too. Some people choose a career independent of what it offers financially, but most cannot afford this luxury. If job security is essential for you at this point in your life, be extremely mindful about switching industries. Make sure you select a field that can survive most challenges.

COVID has had a significant impact on the job market over the last year, and it sparked many to rethink their career industries (or, in some cases, their career as a whole!) It was an in-your-face reminder of how important it is to continuously evaluate your job, company, overall industry, and career path.

Regardless of your reason for switching industries, you need to know what to expect. One of the significant adjustments involves salary, and it can be a tough pill to swallow.

Setting expectations

Shifting industries comes with the responsibility of shifting expectations – yours and others.

You need to prepare for the challenges that arise when facing a significant change. It is not an easy path to take for a reason, and the more knowledgeable you are about these obstacles, the more you will be able to overcome them.

Things to consider:

• Lower compensation and benefits
• Difficulty getting interviews
• Needing to justify your decisions
• Hearing a lot of “no”s

Compensation Expectations

One of the biggest mistakes I see people make is assuming that they can enter a new industry in an equivalent role or the same salary bracket; this is not the case. You need to view the situation as it truly is – a fresh start!

How to Figure Out Your New Salary

To determine your new salary, you’re going to need to look at a few different things. In addition to reviewing the position, industry, and local job market, you’ll have to look at your experiences and see if any of that can justify a higher salary. Yes, you’re starting from scratch in some sense, but there will be some transferable skills from your work history that provide you with experience that someone else (like a new grad) would not have.

Check out my article on how to research your salary.

Interview Expectations

Be prepared for an uphill battle. Getting interviews will be hard. Most recruiters or hiring managers will look at your resume and not understand. Why are you applying for a position in HR when you’ve only ever held Accounting positions? Never mind the immense confusion if you’re making a huge switch from manufacturing to an office-based environment.

The best way to face this challenge is to attack it from as many angles as possible:

• Network in person and via social media
• Have a strong cover letter
• Have a resume that works for you

Look at your applications from the hiring manager’s perspective and work to dismantle any potential disadvantages or refurbish work experiences into unique advantages. You’ll find yourself with a lot more opportunities. There is always something you can do to increase your chances of getting an interview. Sometimes you just need to do some research and expand beyond your comfort zone. As my dear friend, Janice always says, “it’s funny how lucky you are when you work hard.”

No truer words, J.

Justifying Your Decisions

The obstacles don’t stop once you get the interview. Once you’re in the room, you’ll need to justify everything: from your decision to make the change, right down to how much you want to be paid. You’re now in a position where you have to prove that you’re a serious candidate (even more than you usually are!).

It is hard to compete with people who have been in this position or industry for most (if not all) of their careers. But preparation can win even the most challenging battles! Strong, research-based, and passion-fueled justifications can go a long way. Strong candidates anticipate potential questions ahead of time and ensure that they can answer in a clear, concise manner.

The biggest decision you’ll have to justify?

Your compensation. Be sure that whatever you’re asking for is fully supported with research and experience. The last thing you want to do is price yourself out of a job because you didn’t do the work. You have to think of this research as a time investment; putting in a couple of hours upfront could mean thousands of dollars every year.

Switching Careers: Making Your Dream Job Happen

Once you’ve managed expectations, the next step is to take action! If you’ve decided to change industries entirely, then you’ve got to commit to working harder than ever to make things happen (but you already know that because you’ve set your expectations!)

So how do you do that?

Network

Networking is a massive piece of the puzzle and one of the fastest ways to see results!

When you tell people in your network that you’re looking for a job, it’s like getting an extra set of eyes and free advertising. If a job pops up and they think of you, they will let you know. Even better, if they are personally connected to someone who can help you, they can make an introduction or put in a good word for you.

A common misconception about networking is that you have to attend awkward functions and make small talk with a bunch of strangers. While this is certainly one way to go about it, it is far from your only option!

Ways to network:

• Announce that you’re looking for a new job via social media (LinkedIn is the best platform, but Facebook works too)
• Tell friends and family. I don’t know about you, but my parents LOVE to talk. I’ve gotten a few opportunities based on conversations they were having with people they know.
• Reach out to recruiters directly by phone, email, or LinkedIn. Recruiters are some of the most well-connected people, and most are social butterflies. (I’m a very friendly butterfly if you feel like connecting over LinkedIn. Just saying.)

Find ways to let people know you are looking and reap the benefits of those extra eyes and ears.

Caution: Be careful about what you announce on social media if you’re still working. Be mindful of any coworkers who may see your posts!

Create a Resume with Purpose

Your resume is also a key player in your job search, especially when you’re switching careers. You need to be very conscious of how you present yourself so that your application doesn’t look completely irrelevant.

One of the best ways to do this is to structure your resume in a way that highlights your transferable skills. Check out The 7 Transferable Skills to Help You Change Careers on Forbes. It emphasizes practical skills that should be included in your resume.

Here is another great post (with samples!) about resumes that work for people looking to make a career change.

Continue to Grow and Improve

Beyond networking and creating a purposeful resume, you must continue to grow towards your new career.

Don’t panic. You don’t necessarily have to drop everything and go back to school. There are plenty of options! You could engage in a related hobby, take on small projects, or find a transition position with a lot of overlap between your current role and your desired role. You can also explore the world of online learning; there are so many resources (both free and paid) at your fingertips!

Below are some great learning resources:

• LinkedIn Learning
• Coursera
• EdX
• UDemy
• TEDTalks
• Online portals at your local library

These resources are fantastic ways to level up your existing skills or add new ones to your repertoire. It’s great to include these pursuits in your resume and on your LinkedIn profile (where appropriate) to show that you’re committed to learning, self-improvement, and making your career change.

Final Thoughts on Switching Careers

Switching careers is not easy, but it is worth it! People who make significant career changes are usually doing it to follow their passion or provide themselves with more job security. As long as they persevere through the initial challenges, few regret they made the shift.

There are things you can do to make the change easier:

• Know why you’re switching careers
• Manage your expectations and be prepared to manage the expectations of others
• Network with friends, family, and recruiters
• Share your career change goals on network sites like LinkedIn and Facebook
• Create a resume with an effective format for your goals
• Continue to improve through learning new skills and leveling up existing ones

Lastly, don’t be afraid to make this change. While it can seem scary initially, it will truly be rewarding in the long run. Never be scared to follow your heart and go after your dreams!

What are you most concerned about when it comes to switching careers? Tell me in the comments!