With the job market more buoyant than ever, if you’re looking for a new challenge, now is a great time to look at changing industries. Many roles are directly transferable across different industries – and plenty mean you’ve developed transferable skills. Changing industries can directly benefit your career, but might seem like a daunting prospect. There are, however, steps you can take pre-application to help put you in the frame in a new industry, without feeling inauthentic.
Research your new industry
As ever, the number one task for how to get noticed in a new industry is research. Spend some time delving into the new industry. Work out what skills and qualifications are considered necessary or advantageous. Then assess your own experience to decide how directly transferable it is –and highlight any gaps that you need to fill.
For example, if you’re currently in HR in a professional service and considering a move to manufacturing; the role itself may appear the same, but there may be differing elements due to the change in industry that you may have no experience of. Perhaps working with TUPE regulations, with unions or consultancy on redundancies/restructures. How can you demonstrate awareness of the challenges of the new industry and fill those gaps?
Always assume you’re going to be competing with others who do have relevant industry experience. You’ll need to show that you appreciate and understand the challenges and requirements of the industry. Use your CV and covering letter or application to demonstrate relevant stories of success and dial down the other, less pertinent elements.
Why the change of sector?
It’s important to communicate why you want to change industries in your cover letter, so make sure you have a credible answer to that question. Think about how you will position why the new industry appeals to or excites you? What is it that interests you and makes you want to make that change?
Focus on what new challenges/learning you want to gain from the move. How would the new industry broaden your skills and experience and develop your career? Share any passions or values that align with those of the industry. Can you make connections or parallels with your previous experience, even if in a slightly different context? It’s vital that you ask yourself these questions and are crystal clear about your answers. You’ll need to coherently explain your reasons for making the change to any potential new employer when you get to an interview.
Networking to build understanding of and develop new contacts in a new industry
If you want to get noticed in a new industry, you’ll need to make the most of networking opportunities. LinkedIn is a good place to start. Adjust your profile and focus on your transferable skills, rather than highlighting the length of time you’ve been in your current industry, to give a more multi-faceted impression. LinkedIn is also useful for research. Follow and join groups, people and publications that are relevant to your chosen industry. Ask questions and join in discussions there. Consider current and future industry trends and research those via LinkedIn too. This will give you some useful examples of your wider learning that you can share at interview stage.
You might also want to attend industry events or conferences to meet new contacts within the sector. These will help you gain insight into the industry, or even advice on how to break into it.
Use your professional network and wider social connection to make links with people already working in your chosen industry, to gain insights as well as recommendations of places to work – and don’t be afraid to ask for help in making new connections via their contacts. Being able to set up conversations with those already in the sector will help you gather much-needed information which could be vital – for example, whether you need particular knowledge or qualifications to work in that industry.
I have one client who wanted to move into banking and has discovered they need a CeMAP qualification in order to be considered for the role they wanted. Now they know, they can do the qualification. Forewarned is forearmed.
That’s not to say you need to meet 100% of the job requirements – many companies will suggest qualifications are desirable not essential so it could be something you can say you are willing to pursue once in the role.
Fill the gaps
Another way to fill sector skills or experience gaps is to volunteer. Often accessible via charitable or non-profit organisations, this can be a great way of broadening your experience and honing any missing skills, as well as boosting your confidence. Volunteering in the industry you’re looking to move into also gives you the chance to “try before you buy” – and can give you some great relevant examples to use in interview, as well as potentially making new and useful connections to help you get your foot in the door.
I have a number of clients who have used volunteering to explore if the new sector is a good fit and then have successfully utilised the experience, skills, and contacts to help secure a future paid role in as a result. Alternatively consider interim roles, short term contacts that may be a way to get relevant sector experiences giving you a leg-up for future roles.
Be your own marketing department
Once you’ve done all the prep work, it’s time to market yourself. How do you get in front of the right people when you haven’t worked in that industry before? There are plenty of things you can do to be your own personal marketing department. Get back in touch with your network again, but this time it’s all about putting out feelers for roles that might be coming up. Ask for introductions to people in your chosen industry, arrange one to ones, seek out and attend industry events. Don’t forget to clarify with recruiters that you are seeking roles within a new industry, so they can direct their attentions accordingly.
Changing sectors can sometimes be relatively straight forward. Other times, bigger shifts may mean making sacrifices, whether this is in income or changes to working hours or in location/how you work in order to get to your goal.
Think the change through. What impact might it have on your finances or lifestyle? Is this realistic and achievable? Discuss what support you might need from others to enable you to do it.
And finally, be prepared for setbacks – you know you may have some bigger gaps that mean employers are nervous about giving you a chance. Don’t let this deter you or knock your confidence. I There isn’t much you can do about being up against more experienced applicants, but persist and persevere and you will find that organisation which sees and recognises your potential is willing to give you the opportunity.
If you’re thinking about a change want to talk about how to get noticed in a new industry, I can help. Email me for a free introductory session.
Featured image courtesy of Kyle Glenn – Unsplash
