Have you ever thought about changing careers? Most do; fewer
actually do it. Those that think about it
and do often act out of boredom, frustration or dissatisfaction with what
they have been doing. The rest tuck the notion into the back of their minds and
plug along with whatever.
Transforming the
psychological and emotional fear factors is critical whenever you attempt changing
careers. To resolve that element, one has to have an honest come-to-Abraham moment. That has to
occur before turning wishful thoughts and desires into employment reality. Toying
with one’s livelihood qualifies as serious business. An employment misstep or
error in judgment can be catastrophic. That notion alone has caused many a wannabe
jobseeker to take a prolonged pause.
How should one
attempt to address changing careers? How you think, evaluate and process
information will determine how you initially proceed. Employers give younger
jobseekers greater latitude in which to make career changes and employment mistakes.
That attitude
changes once the jobseeker reaches his or her mid-thirties and beyond. Whenever
a middle-aged jobseeker tells an experienced recruiter or potential employer he
or she is making a career change, the jobseeker often receives the cold
shoulder.
Awhile back, the wife of an unemployed Executive Chef contacted me. The wife
informed me that her husband had been on a six-month hiatus due to being fed up
and burned out. She said he needed to find another career, and forwarded me his
résumé.
His 15-plus years of progressive experience and education painted him as
a talented Executive Chef who knew every aspect of the industry. When I asked him
what he really wanted to do in terms of pursuing a new career, he informed me he
was open to anything paying six figures—beyond that, he had no specifics.
I declined the project, noting that designing a résumé for an unknown
career amounted to taking his money under false pretext. I would update his
résumé, however, as long as it was for another Executive Chef’s position.
His wife had grown concerned, as their financial reserves had dwindled. I
recommended they have a come-to-Abraham moment, and reach a decision. With that,
he decided to return to what he knew best.
Making a career
change is not an impossible mission: This occurs regularly. What’s important is
the quality of the career change. Desire alone rarely carries the day, and
employers are more prone to hiring experience over a jobseeker’s new-career aspirations.
Those
separating from military service often confront this dilemma. The key is
finding suitable civilian employment that utilizes the individual’s
transferable skillsets. That same principle applies to those considering a drastic
career change. In the majority of situations, one has to consider the
possibility of accepting lower pay or a less-prestigious position.
Leaving a job
search to happenstance is risky. The safer method involves careful resource
planning, assessing tangible and intangible assets, as well as taking decisive
action. In many situations, another degree or certifications may become mandatory.
From a
marketing perspective, changing careers amounts to selling one’s potential.
When you know your potential as it relates to undertaking a new career, and can
marshal your assets in a concise and engaging presentation, your chances of
success dramatically improve. All other options reduce to a futile exercise in wishful
thinking.
Copyrighted © 2015 by
Robert James at Confidential Résumé Writing