It seems like a tricky maneuver — you’ve been working in one industry, possibly for a long time, and now you want to shift into another.
There are many reasons you may be tempted to execute such a move, and plenty of people have done it. The important thing is that you keep your eye on the prize and learn to make your existing skills and achievements work for you as you reposition yourself.
Here’s some advice on how to get a job into a new industry.
1. Triple-check yourself. When you know your career isn’t working for you, you feel it in your gut. But are you 110% sure you’ve explored all your options in your current industry? Maybe you work in sales but you’d be happier on the buy side. Maybe you happen to work for a particularly slow-moving company and you’re taking that as a sign of the whole industry. Do your homework. Do some soul searching. And then do it all again. You want to be really, truly ready to make the move.
2. Speak to someone in the type of job you’d like to have. There are so many opportunities for you to connect with people, so make use of them. Search around on LinkedIn for people who have your ideal job role. Ask them if they’d be down for a 10-minute phone chat, or, if they’re in your location, a quick coffee. If LinkedIn’s not your style, go to a networking event for people in your industry — you’ll find many people will be honored to chat with you if you tell them you’re looking to move into the industry. Also ask friends for people they may know who would be willing to have a chat. All of these sources can point you to various job boards and niche blogs specific to the industry.
3. Be ready to take a pay cut. It’s not always the case, but sometimes jumping ship means taking a lower salary. Why? You may have climbed the ranks in your industry, but if you lack the transferable skills to move into a new industry, you’ll often have to start at a lower rung. You may even have to enroll in a training course, or pursue necessary certifications, which could take you away from leaping into something full time right at the start. If you are willing to invest the time and learning necessary to get yourself into a new career, and you can see the end goal, the short-term pain will be worth it.
Related: Relocating for Work? How to Meet People in a New City
4. Learn relevant skills while still employed in your current industry. If you know you’re going to need to know a programming language to move into your dream industry, make the time now to get the experience and training under your belt. You can take an online course or an in-person class somewhere in your general area. General Assembly, Khan Academy and other programs have made the process far easier than it once was. Showing that you had the motivation to seek these opportunities will also speak volumes to a future employer.
5. Keep every bridge intact. You don’t want to break bonds with people in your former industry; you’ll be amazed to find out how those relationships continue to bear fruit. As you prepare to move into another industry, be sure to keep a positive, open rapport with those who’ve helped you in the past. In the very worst case scenario, you can always come back to them if you find your dream industry isn’t what you envisioned it to be.
