13 answers
Caleb
Student
Ohio City, Ohio
1
Question
Asked
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Can you share some tips for navigating a career transition, particularly from one industry to another??
Can you share some tips for navigating a career transition, particularly from one industry to another?
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13 answers
Jedrich Sison
Emergency Medical Technician
1
Answer
Carson, California
Updated
Jedrich’s Answer
I had transitioned from working in retail to working in emergency medical services. I embarked on this career transition because I wanted to get my foot in the door into the healthcare field, especially because my future goal was to become a physician.
There were some skills I had in retail that had transitioned smoothly into healthcare (ex, attention to detail, customer service, multi-tasking). However, I had to get used to things I hadn't worried about in retail. Things such as documenting the patient's condition for each call, memorizing a whole host of different treatment modalities that slightly or vastly differ based on what each EMS Agency's county allows you to do within your scope of practice, driving lights & sirens (Code 3) to emergencies or with critical patients in the back.
Things such as these had thrown me off initially, and I had felt the "impostor syndrome" that I barely scraped to get by in my EMT class, and I shouldn't even be doing this in the first place. However, what helped me transition smoothly into this new career and industry were the people I had known who were from this field in the first place.
My EMT school was unique. We had many different volunteers and mentors who helped us out, including active EMTs and former students from the class. Learning from them and getting insider information about what the job entails helped me settle in much more manageable, especially as I started working at my agency for the first time. Also, my friends in my class worked at different agencies after we passed, and discussing how work was going for the rest of us helped me feel that I wasn't alone in tackling such a vastly different job.
Some tips I would suggest for you
- Do your best to network yourself and meet people from the industry you're trying to get into
- Know that everybody, even senior employees, were just new hires at one point in time
- If you make mistakes/constantly make mistakes in your new career, try to reflect on how it can be mitigated in the future
Best of luck to you if you do decide to make a career transition!
There were some skills I had in retail that had transitioned smoothly into healthcare (ex, attention to detail, customer service, multi-tasking). However, I had to get used to things I hadn't worried about in retail. Things such as documenting the patient's condition for each call, memorizing a whole host of different treatment modalities that slightly or vastly differ based on what each EMS Agency's county allows you to do within your scope of practice, driving lights & sirens (Code 3) to emergencies or with critical patients in the back.
Things such as these had thrown me off initially, and I had felt the "impostor syndrome" that I barely scraped to get by in my EMT class, and I shouldn't even be doing this in the first place. However, what helped me transition smoothly into this new career and industry were the people I had known who were from this field in the first place.
My EMT school was unique. We had many different volunteers and mentors who helped us out, including active EMTs and former students from the class. Learning from them and getting insider information about what the job entails helped me settle in much more manageable, especially as I started working at my agency for the first time. Also, my friends in my class worked at different agencies after we passed, and discussing how work was going for the rest of us helped me feel that I wasn't alone in tackling such a vastly different job.
Some tips I would suggest for you
- Do your best to network yourself and meet people from the industry you're trying to get into
- Know that everybody, even senior employees, were just new hires at one point in time
- If you make mistakes/constantly make mistakes in your new career, try to reflect on how it can be mitigated in the future
Best of luck to you if you do decide to make a career transition!
Martha Kramer
Corporate Training, Communications
334
Answers
Stamford, Connecticut
Updated
Martha’s Answer
Hi Caleb - your question resonated with me because I have changed careers and industries in my life (telecom to finance to credit to medicine to consumer products to tech). As the others have said, you have personal qualities and skills that transcend a particular job and certainly an industry. Qualities could include customer-focused, patience, attention to detail, tenacity and more. Skills could include writing, research, quantitative, graphical design, computer and more.
If you want to change jobs or industry - I suggest doing only one at a time - you likely will need to explain how your qualities and skills apply to the new role or industry. First, you need to understand how, yourself. Second, you need to be able to explain it confidently and succinctly. Be prepared to repeat this with anyone you interview with. Employers often have many applicants for an open job so their application requirements are not questioned.
Be polite, but persistent - good luck!
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/changing-industries-mid-career-guide-people2people-85tyc/
If you want to change jobs or industry - I suggest doing only one at a time - you likely will need to explain how your qualities and skills apply to the new role or industry. First, you need to understand how, yourself. Second, you need to be able to explain it confidently and succinctly. Be prepared to repeat this with anyone you interview with. Employers often have many applicants for an open job so their application requirements are not questioned.
Be polite, but persistent - good luck!
Martha recommends the following next steps:
Afrad Mahamed
Operations & Project Management
80
Answers
Lakeland, Florida
Updated
Afrad’s Answer
Hi Caleb -
It may seem like heading into a new unknown but most of the time that's not the case. Generally, we are selling a product, providing a service, or improving a process. The principles in each of these are alike regardless of the type of product, type of service, or process being improved.
As an example, I studied process improvement in advanced manufacturing and am now applying the same techniques in an office setting. I found that the methods are relatable in assessing the issues and developing solutions. This would be one part, whereby you take transferrable job-specific skills and adapt them to the new environment.
On the other hand, all personal skills can be carried from job to job; skills that you've gained through learning and your own experiences. These, along with your qualities will help you drive success wherever you go.
Bottomline, look at what you've learned and skills you've gained from a personal and professional capacity and figure out how you can adapt them to new environments.
Hope this helps!
It may seem like heading into a new unknown but most of the time that's not the case. Generally, we are selling a product, providing a service, or improving a process. The principles in each of these are alike regardless of the type of product, type of service, or process being improved.
As an example, I studied process improvement in advanced manufacturing and am now applying the same techniques in an office setting. I found that the methods are relatable in assessing the issues and developing solutions. This would be one part, whereby you take transferrable job-specific skills and adapt them to the new environment.
On the other hand, all personal skills can be carried from job to job; skills that you've gained through learning and your own experiences. These, along with your qualities will help you drive success wherever you go.
Bottomline, look at what you've learned and skills you've gained from a personal and professional capacity and figure out how you can adapt them to new environments.
Hope this helps!
Jasmine Fly, M.S.
Learning + Enrichment Program Delivery Specialist
12
Answers
Houston, Texas
Updated
Jasmine’s Answer
Answers provided by the Cloudera New Hire Cohort:
A career transition, especially when moving from one industry to another, can be both exciting and challenging. Focus on the following steps on a daily basis.
Suggested Next Steps:
Advanced Education
Leveraging existing hard and soft skills
Leaning on your professional network
Staying persistent
Use AI..
A career transition, especially when moving from one industry to another, can be both exciting and challenging. Focus on the following steps on a daily basis.
Suggested Next Steps:
Advanced Education
Leveraging existing hard and soft skills
Leaning on your professional network
Staying persistent
Use AI..
Taylor Fronk
Sales Support
13
Answers
Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio
Updated
Taylor’s Answer
Hello! The most important thing to remember is that you are not stuck in a box when it comes to your career! As long as you absorb the transition like a sponge, you will be alright!
Transitioning can be an extremely daunting experience, but there are ways to handle it with grace.
1. Be willing to step outside of your comfort zone
2. Stay coachable and dedicated to learning new ideas
3. Ask questions, ask questions, ask questions
Also, focus on developing transferrable skills. Often times, if a company is hiring you in a new industry, they are aware you can't give them experience. However, you can provide them with your transferrable skills, which is probably why they hired you! It makes a daunting career change much less scary when you are sure of yourself and your skills!
Transitioning can be an extremely daunting experience, but there are ways to handle it with grace.
1. Be willing to step outside of your comfort zone
2. Stay coachable and dedicated to learning new ideas
3. Ask questions, ask questions, ask questions
Also, focus on developing transferrable skills. Often times, if a company is hiring you in a new industry, they are aware you can't give them experience. However, you can provide them with your transferrable skills, which is probably why they hired you! It makes a daunting career change much less scary when you are sure of yourself and your skills!
David Green
Data Engineer
14
Answers
Orlando, Florida
Updated
David’s Answer
Hi Caleb,
Transitioning to a new industry while performing the same type of job is exciting! There are job-related skills that transfer easily, like the process of achieving certain common tasks for your role. Let's say you're a business analyst. The skills and methods that a business analyst uses to discover and define a business process are pretty universal to any process that needs defining. Then there are intangible skills such as communication, networking with coworkers, understanding general corporate processes and methods, etc. Basically, you may not know the industry-specific knowledge for a similar role at a new company, but do you have the skills/knowledge of how to discover and learn about the industry-specific knowledge. It's always helpful to research about industry-specific knowledge for the same role at a new company, but most industries are easy enough to pick up the knowledge once you start working at a new company. The recruiters and hiring managers mainly want to make sure you have the role-specific competencies and you can learn the rest. There are some industries with higher learning curves than others. Health Insurance and Financial Services are 2 that come to mind. Hope this helps!
Transitioning to a new industry while performing the same type of job is exciting! There are job-related skills that transfer easily, like the process of achieving certain common tasks for your role. Let's say you're a business analyst. The skills and methods that a business analyst uses to discover and define a business process are pretty universal to any process that needs defining. Then there are intangible skills such as communication, networking with coworkers, understanding general corporate processes and methods, etc. Basically, you may not know the industry-specific knowledge for a similar role at a new company, but do you have the skills/knowledge of how to discover and learn about the industry-specific knowledge. It's always helpful to research about industry-specific knowledge for the same role at a new company, but most industries are easy enough to pick up the knowledge once you start working at a new company. The recruiters and hiring managers mainly want to make sure you have the role-specific competencies and you can learn the rest. There are some industries with higher learning curves than others. Health Insurance and Financial Services are 2 that come to mind. Hope this helps!
Meredith Emerson
2
Answers
Updated
Meredith’s Answer
Hello Caleb,
Embarking on a new career path can seem intimidating, but it's also an exciting opportunity for growth and self-discovery! As you've probably heard, the first step is to evaluate your current skill set. Soft skills, like communication and problem-solving, are often easily adaptable to a variety of roles and industries. However, there might be some technical skills that you'll need to develop. The bright side is, these can be acquired! And often, the best learning happens on the job.
To gain a clear picture of the skills you'll need, networking is an invaluable tool. Engage with professionals who are already working in the field you're interested in. Listen to their insights about the job, the skills that have made them successful, and their advice on how to leverage your current skills or which areas you might need to improve. There's a wealth of learning resources, training programs, and certification courses available that can help you enhance your abilities. Expanding your network will also prove beneficial when you begin your job search, and here's why:
Often, when you submit job applications online, your resume is scanned for specific keywords. If your resume doesn't reflect experience in the particular role or industry, you might be overlooked. However, by utilizing your network to get your resume in front of the right people, you bypass this automated process. Instead of relying on a system to recognize your qualifications, you'll have the chance to personally showcase how your unique background and skills make you an ideal candidate for the role.
Wishing you the best on your journey!
Embarking on a new career path can seem intimidating, but it's also an exciting opportunity for growth and self-discovery! As you've probably heard, the first step is to evaluate your current skill set. Soft skills, like communication and problem-solving, are often easily adaptable to a variety of roles and industries. However, there might be some technical skills that you'll need to develop. The bright side is, these can be acquired! And often, the best learning happens on the job.
To gain a clear picture of the skills you'll need, networking is an invaluable tool. Engage with professionals who are already working in the field you're interested in. Listen to their insights about the job, the skills that have made them successful, and their advice on how to leverage your current skills or which areas you might need to improve. There's a wealth of learning resources, training programs, and certification courses available that can help you enhance your abilities. Expanding your network will also prove beneficial when you begin your job search, and here's why:
Often, when you submit job applications online, your resume is scanned for specific keywords. If your resume doesn't reflect experience in the particular role or industry, you might be overlooked. However, by utilizing your network to get your resume in front of the right people, you bypass this automated process. Instead of relying on a system to recognize your qualifications, you'll have the chance to personally showcase how your unique background and skills make you an ideal candidate for the role.
Wishing you the best on your journey!
Aisha Taylor
Mortgage Closing Specialist
464
Answers
Detroit, Michigan
Updated
Aisha’s Answer
Hi Caleb,
Transitioning from one industry to another can be a challenging yet rewarding endeavor. Here are some tips to help you navigate this career transition successfully:
Self-Assessment: Understand your skills and what motivates you.
Research: Learn about the new industry thoroughly.
Skills Gap: Identify and bridge any skill gaps.
Networking: Build connections in the new industry.
Transferable Skills: Highlight skills applicable to both industries.
Resume/Cover Letter: Tailor them to the new industry.
Gain Experience: Seek relevant experience through internships, etc.
Flexibility: Stay open to new opportunities and be adaptable.
Seek Guidance: Get advice from mentors or career coaches.
Persistence: Stay committed and patient through the transition.
Remember that a career transition is a journey, not a destination. Stay committed to your personal and professional growth, and embrace the opportunities that come your way.
Best of Luck,
Transitioning from one industry to another can be a challenging yet rewarding endeavor. Here are some tips to help you navigate this career transition successfully:
Self-Assessment: Understand your skills and what motivates you.
Research: Learn about the new industry thoroughly.
Skills Gap: Identify and bridge any skill gaps.
Networking: Build connections in the new industry.
Transferable Skills: Highlight skills applicable to both industries.
Resume/Cover Letter: Tailor them to the new industry.
Gain Experience: Seek relevant experience through internships, etc.
Flexibility: Stay open to new opportunities and be adaptable.
Seek Guidance: Get advice from mentors or career coaches.
Persistence: Stay committed and patient through the transition.
Remember that a career transition is a journey, not a destination. Stay committed to your personal and professional growth, and embrace the opportunities that come your way.
Best of Luck,
Ebonee Summerour
I am a call center manager who coaches and develop employees to be successful in their current job function and prepare for career advancement.
9
Answers
Sugar Hill, Georgia
Updated
Ebonee’s Answer
Hello Caleb,
I appreciate your curiosity. With a rich experience of 30 years in the customer service industry, I have quite a journey to share. My academic background is in Biology, specifically Pre-Medicine, which I pursued during my college years. However, to support myself financially, I took up part-time telemarketing sales and customer service roles for my off-campus apartment. This is where I discovered my knack for these roles, and I found myself returning to customer service jobs every summer.
As time passed, I realized that my heart wasn't set on a career in Pre-Medicine. Instead, my interests were steering me towards management. Starting as a mid-level customer service associate in my company, my dedication and hard work paid off, and I ascended to the position of a team lead in just a year and a half. Within the next year, I had the privilege of becoming a manager.
In my role as a manager, I find immense satisfaction in coaching, engaging with, and nurturing my team members, helping them carve their own successful career paths. My advice to you would be to identify your passion and concentrate on the results you wish to achieve. With this approach, your transition will undoubtedly be a rewarding one. I hope my journey provides some clarity and inspiration for you. Wishing you nothing but the best!
I appreciate your curiosity. With a rich experience of 30 years in the customer service industry, I have quite a journey to share. My academic background is in Biology, specifically Pre-Medicine, which I pursued during my college years. However, to support myself financially, I took up part-time telemarketing sales and customer service roles for my off-campus apartment. This is where I discovered my knack for these roles, and I found myself returning to customer service jobs every summer.
As time passed, I realized that my heart wasn't set on a career in Pre-Medicine. Instead, my interests were steering me towards management. Starting as a mid-level customer service associate in my company, my dedication and hard work paid off, and I ascended to the position of a team lead in just a year and a half. Within the next year, I had the privilege of becoming a manager.
In my role as a manager, I find immense satisfaction in coaching, engaging with, and nurturing my team members, helping them carve their own successful career paths. My advice to you would be to identify your passion and concentrate on the results you wish to achieve. With this approach, your transition will undoubtedly be a rewarding one. I hope my journey provides some clarity and inspiration for you. Wishing you nothing but the best!
James Constantine Frangos
Consultant Dietitian & Software Developer since 1972 => Nutrition Education => Health & Longevity => Self-Actualization.
6175
Answers
Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
Updated
James Constantine’s Answer
Dear Caleb,
Guidelines for Successfully Shifting Careers Between Industries:
Transitioning your career to a different industry can be a daunting yet fulfilling journey. Here are some practical steps to ensure a successful transition:
Self-Reflection: Prior to diving into a new industry, it's crucial to evaluate your abilities, strengths, and passions. Pinpoint skills that are adaptable across various sectors and see how they match with the needs of your prospective industry.
Investigate the Prospective Industry: Carry out an in-depth study of the industry you're aiming to enter. Familiarize yourself with its trends, major players, job market demand, and necessary qualifications. This knowledge will enable you to customize your resume, cover letter, and interview answers to highlight your suitability and enthusiasm for the new field.
Build Connections: Establishing connections is key when shifting industries. Connect with professionals in your prospective industry via networking events, LinkedIn, informational interviews, and professional groups. Forming relationships with those already in the industry can offer valuable insights, guidance, and potential job openings.
Enhance Your Skills: Recognize any skills gaps between your current proficiency and the needs of the new industry. Think about enrolling in courses, obtaining certifications, or gaining relevant experience through internships or volunteer work to fill these gaps and boost your qualifications.
Revamp Your Resume and Cover Letter: Modify your resume and cover letter to emphasize pertinent experiences, skills, and achievements that prove your fit for the new industry. Use industry-specific keywords to increase your likelihood of getting through applicant tracking systems.
Embrace Adaptability and Openness: Welcome the need for flexibility and be open to starting in entry-level positions or roles that may not perfectly match your past experience. Show a willingness to learn and adapt swiftly to the new setting while showing eagerness for growth and development.
Find a Mentor: Seek a mentor in the new industry who can offer guidance, advice, and support as you maneuver your career shift. A mentor can provide valuable insights from their own experiences and help you sidestep common missteps.
Keep a Positive Attitude and Persevere: Career shifts can be tough and may involve dealing with rejection or obstacles along the way. Stay optimistic, embrace a growth mindset, and persist through challenges with resilience and determination.
Invest in Your Professional Growth: Regularly invest in your professional growth by participating in workshops, seminars, webinars, or pursuing further education relevant to your new career path. Keep abreast of industry trends and best practices to stay competitive in the job market.
Monitor Your Progress: Keep track of your progress during the career shift process by setting goals, noting achievements, seeking feedback from mentors or peers, and tweaking your strategies as needed to stay on track towards reaching your career objectives.
Top 3 Credible Sources Used:
Harvard Business Review
Forbes
The Balance Careers
Blessings,
James C.
Guidelines for Successfully Shifting Careers Between Industries:
Transitioning your career to a different industry can be a daunting yet fulfilling journey. Here are some practical steps to ensure a successful transition:
Self-Reflection: Prior to diving into a new industry, it's crucial to evaluate your abilities, strengths, and passions. Pinpoint skills that are adaptable across various sectors and see how they match with the needs of your prospective industry.
Investigate the Prospective Industry: Carry out an in-depth study of the industry you're aiming to enter. Familiarize yourself with its trends, major players, job market demand, and necessary qualifications. This knowledge will enable you to customize your resume, cover letter, and interview answers to highlight your suitability and enthusiasm for the new field.
Build Connections: Establishing connections is key when shifting industries. Connect with professionals in your prospective industry via networking events, LinkedIn, informational interviews, and professional groups. Forming relationships with those already in the industry can offer valuable insights, guidance, and potential job openings.
Enhance Your Skills: Recognize any skills gaps between your current proficiency and the needs of the new industry. Think about enrolling in courses, obtaining certifications, or gaining relevant experience through internships or volunteer work to fill these gaps and boost your qualifications.
Revamp Your Resume and Cover Letter: Modify your resume and cover letter to emphasize pertinent experiences, skills, and achievements that prove your fit for the new industry. Use industry-specific keywords to increase your likelihood of getting through applicant tracking systems.
Embrace Adaptability and Openness: Welcome the need for flexibility and be open to starting in entry-level positions or roles that may not perfectly match your past experience. Show a willingness to learn and adapt swiftly to the new setting while showing eagerness for growth and development.
Find a Mentor: Seek a mentor in the new industry who can offer guidance, advice, and support as you maneuver your career shift. A mentor can provide valuable insights from their own experiences and help you sidestep common missteps.
Keep a Positive Attitude and Persevere: Career shifts can be tough and may involve dealing with rejection or obstacles along the way. Stay optimistic, embrace a growth mindset, and persist through challenges with resilience and determination.
Invest in Your Professional Growth: Regularly invest in your professional growth by participating in workshops, seminars, webinars, or pursuing further education relevant to your new career path. Keep abreast of industry trends and best practices to stay competitive in the job market.
Monitor Your Progress: Keep track of your progress during the career shift process by setting goals, noting achievements, seeking feedback from mentors or peers, and tweaking your strategies as needed to stay on track towards reaching your career objectives.
Top 3 Credible Sources Used:
Harvard Business Review
Forbes
The Balance Careers
Blessings,
James C.
Violaine Gonzalez
Senior Associate
176
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Violaine’s Answer
Hi Caleb, hope this helps. Self-Assessment: Assess your skills and interests.
Research: Study your target industry thoroughly.
Networking: Connect with professionals in the new field.
Education and Training: Consider additional qualifications.
Tailor Your Resume: Highlight relevant experiences.
Gain Practical Experience: Seek internships or freelance work.
Be Flexible: Open up to various roles and opportunities.
Seek Mentorship: Find guidance from industry insiders.
Stay Persistent: Keep pushing forward despite setbacks.
Stay Positive: Embrace learning and growth.
These condensed tips should provide a quick overview of the key points to consider when transitioning to a new industry.
Research: Study your target industry thoroughly.
Networking: Connect with professionals in the new field.
Education and Training: Consider additional qualifications.
Tailor Your Resume: Highlight relevant experiences.
Gain Practical Experience: Seek internships or freelance work.
Be Flexible: Open up to various roles and opportunities.
Seek Mentorship: Find guidance from industry insiders.
Stay Persistent: Keep pushing forward despite setbacks.
Stay Positive: Embrace learning and growth.
These condensed tips should provide a quick overview of the key points to consider when transitioning to a new industry.
Megan McCoy
Career Coach
162
Answers
Lakeland, Florida
Updated
Megan’s Answer
I think this is becoming pretty common for people to transition. There are certain places that even pouch nontraditional career paths. For example, there are a lot of places that will look to recruit transitioning teachers.
Part of it is transitional skills. Do you have transitional skills that are adjacent or helpful to the career you are transitioning into? You might think that you do not but really look at the job description and focus on how the skills you have now could serve you in the new career.
The other big part is networking. Make connections with leaders or HR people in the career you want to transition to. Ask them what you need to do to transition. You can start by using LinkedIn to connect. Or look into joining a Young Professionals Network in your area. Career fairs are also helpful for networking.
I hope this helps!
Part of it is transitional skills. Do you have transitional skills that are adjacent or helpful to the career you are transitioning into? You might think that you do not but really look at the job description and focus on how the skills you have now could serve you in the new career.
The other big part is networking. Make connections with leaders or HR people in the career you want to transition to. Ask them what you need to do to transition. You can start by using LinkedIn to connect. Or look into joining a Young Professionals Network in your area. Career fairs are also helpful for networking.
I hope this helps!
Jim Nguyen
Senior Contract Sourcing Manager
36
Answers
South Plainfield, New Jersey
Updated
Jim’s Answer
Hi Caleb,
You can find a group or someone who is working in a job that you are interested in. Ask them to share you some details and responsibilities. If that is what you like to do, you can start going to school again if needed, and find another job within a your new interest. Networking is also important, and you can join LinkedIn to connect with other professionals.
Good luck!
You can find a group or someone who is working in a job that you are interested in. Ask them to share you some details and responsibilities. If that is what you like to do, you can start going to school again if needed, and find another job within a your new interest. Networking is also important, and you can join LinkedIn to connect with other professionals.
Good luck!