Overcoming the Challenges of Changing Careers in Central Florida
At our most recent job fair in November at the Amway Center in downtown Orlando, in one of the careers sessions, we had questions from job seekers trying to figure out how to change careers, not just jobs. How is this done if you are a retail store manager or call center customer service professional and want a job in a different career?
While it is not the easiest thing to do, it happens daily. The one thing you have that all employers need is your great attitude, your career success to date (in any field), excellent references, the eagerness to learn and train, and great new energy. The challenge is getting this on a resume. Here are some ideas:
Focus on transferable skills.
When switching careers, it's essential to identify the skills you've developed in your previous field that also apply to your new job. These include communication, problem-solving, and attention to detail. To highlight these skills, you can use specific examples from your experience to illustrate how you've used them. For example, suppose you are a retail manager and want to switch to an office manager in the legal field. In that case, you might say, "Demonstrated excellent communication skills by effectively communicating with high-level customers in a very fast-paced environment. I excel in my attention to detail, problem-solving, and communications."
Use a skills-based resume format.
Instead of a chronological resume that lists your work history in reverse order, a skills-based resume format allows you to focus on your skills and experiences. This can be particularly helpful when switching careers because it will enable you to emphasize the most relevant skills to the new position you're pursuing. To create a skills-based resume, start by listing the skills you have that are relevant to the job you're applying for. Then, organize these skills into categories and use specific examples from your experience to illustrate how you've used them.
Customize your resume for each job.
Instead of using the same resume for every job you apply to, take the time to tailor your resume to the specific job you're applying for. This will help you emphasize the skills and experiences most relevant to the position. The more skills you have that match the skills need in the new career, the more powerful your resume will be!
Include any relevant education and training.
If you have any education or activity directly related to your new career, include it on your resume. This could consist of formal education, certifications, or professional development courses. If you want to change careers, visit local colleges like UCF, Valencia, or Keiser University. One of the best-kept secrets Orange County Technical College. It has numerous certificate programs that can give you an excellent education. For example, you can learn to be a medical administration specialist, nursing assistant, pharmacy technician, welder, auto collision specialist, digital cinema production, and so much more.
Finally, changing careers can be challenging. Once you zoom in on your following career path, try to find people you know in your friend or social network who are already in that career. They will be a tremendous asset with information and a possible employee referral to get you a job with their company.