Following A New Path

 

 

In today’s economy of layoffs, cutbacks, troubled housing and the finance market, it may be time to take a new job path. Making a career switch from, say sales manager to grocery store manager, can be as easy as putting to use your current skills in a new job area. Using crossover over skills that you have gathered through jobs, classes, volunteer work, hobbies, sports, projects, parenting or any life experience can be looked over and pulled together in search of a new career. How do you go about this?

 

*Discover what your cross skills are. Think about what your present job entails and write down what skills you have that can be used. Write down your hobbies and interests. Think about how those acquired skills could be used in the career you would like to go into. Some crossover skills can include the following: decision-making, oral and written communication skills, organization, problem solving and technology just to name a few.

 

*Try to meet people working in the career you are interested in. Social network through the internet, friends, and professional acquaintances. Ask questions. Figure out how your experience and skills can be an asset to the company. Think about the area where you might need improvement. Join professional organizations and read information on the career you are interested in and learn the terminology. This will show potential employers that you know what you’re talking about and give you creditability.

 

*Consider going back to school if your skills aren’t completely transferable or if there would be a disadvantage of not having formal training. A lot of colleges offer continuing education courses. You may be able to be certified in your chosen field. The coursework will give you an advantage with applying for the job.

 

*Volunteering will give you an excellent way to work hands on using the information and training you have. You can gain experience and meet people in the environment you’re interested in. It could even lead to a job offer.

 

* Make sure you update your resume. Take you experiences, skills and qualifications to the job you’re applying for. Use as much terminology of your new field as possible. Remember you are writing it with a focus on the new career you’re after. Remove anything from your resume that isn’t of use in the new job.

 

*You may have to take a pay cut. It’s not something that you would like to do but may be necessary for the new career. You will be able to advance and have better job prospects once your foot is in the door.

 

These are just a few suggestions for starting a new career with skills you already have or at least, a good many of them. Sit back, take a look and see what you come up with.

 

Comments, as always, are welcome.

 

By Linda Lee Ruzicka

 

 

 

Linda Lee Ruzicka lives in the mountains of Western PA , happily married and with her 8 cats and three dogs. She has been published in Twilight Times, Dark Krypt, Fables, Writing Village, June Cotner anthology, The Grit, Reminisce , the book, Haunted Encounters: Friends and Family. She also does freelances work for Beyond and for CSJobs.com. More of her blogs can be found at CSJobsblog.com