3 Steps for Switching Sectors
Thinking about switching sectors in your career but struggling to translate your skills? Start here.
Break up with your identity
This phrase might sound absolutely terrifying but I’ve found it to be one of the most liberating ideas when we think about our careers. We spend years establishing ourselves in a field, gaining credibility, and stacking up qualifications in order to garner more opportunity and success. Our job titles, letters after our name, and resumes become our identity and often hold onto these fragile things with a very tight grip.
But what happens when that ladder we’ve been climbing is seemingly propped up against the wrong building? Perhaps you’re looking around and realizing that the person you’ve become is not quite the same one who made this original career choice. Perhaps you’re daydreaming about what it might be like to do something completely different but write this thought off immediately because it would mean throwing away your years of hard work and achievements.
When we break up with our identity, we’re not dismissing our accomplishments up to this point. Because that’s exactly what they are- things we’ve done, not who we are. Start looking back at your career story as a list of experiences you’ve had, work you’ve done, and impact you’ve made in the world. This reframing will help you see the incredibly diverse value you could bring to any sector while dissolving some of the boundaries you’ve placed upon yourself and the definitions on who you are and what your potential is. If you want to truly become a lifelong learner, explorer, and adventurer, separate what you can offer from who you are.Become an industry anthropologist
If you already have a sense of what you might like to do, you’ll get clarity and opportunity much faster by connecting with and observing people who are doing it today. If you’re considering a career change, there is no way around the fact that building relationships with people in your desired field is essential. This can feel intimidating though, especially if you don’t have a specific ask or clarity around what your next steps are.
One of the best ways to reduce the jitters is to think of yourself as an industry anthropologist. Remember, you’re not interviewing for a job yet! These early conversations are not a place for you to perform and no one is quizzing you on these calls.
When you reach out to people you admire and genuinely want to learn more about what they’re working on, what it’s been like for them, and where they see the industry going, your authenticity, curiosity, and admiration will lay the groundwork for real connection and an interesting conversation. Take a genuine interest in the person you’re speaking with and don’t only focus on your objectives around a career transition. Learn what ignites their passion at work or what they’re most proud of.Learn the new language
Ready to find a job? You’ve been networking, researching, and learning as much as you can. However, the resume you wrote to advance your career in your current sector isn’t likely to translate well in your new sector. This is where you must begin to learn a new language.
Start by doing your own methodical research. This might look like pulling up a blank document and pasting in job postings, linkedin profiles, and website content from companies you’re interested in. What are the keywords that stand out? What skills seem to be most critical to the roles you’re interested in? What subjects should you be able to confidently speak to when it comes time to interview? Here’s an example:
Maybe you’re a Program Manager at a non-profit and as you’re searching for jobs in tech. When you search for Program Managers at your ideal tech companies, the only titles you’re seeing are in Engineering. You think- That can’t be right. Go back to your core skills as a Program Manager and start translating into the language of your new sector.
You manage a portfolio of grantees, ensuring they’re getting the resources they need to ensure their programs are impactful. This might look more like an Account Manager or Customer Success Manager at that tech company: managing a portfolio of accounts to ensure they get the products and services they need to realize their business goals.
If you can master this new language, you can begin translating your skill sets and experiences to tailor your resume and interview talking points to the role of your dreams.
Want to go deeper on this topic? I’d love to hear about your experience. Book a free session with me!
