Many students choose to further their education for the purpose of switching industries. This is a wonderful endeavor, but it can come with its own challenges when looking for those new jobs! Let’s go over a few tips and perks of being in this scenario.
First, you might have more experience. Even though this experience may not be directly related to the positions you are applying for, there is a high probability you have soft skills employers are looking for such as communication skills, problem solving/critical thinking skills, professionalism and much more! Don’t look at your experience in a different field as a negative, instead, think about how you can highlight the transferable skills on your resume and in your interview.
Next, realize that you might have transferable skills that just need to be converted to the right industry language. In other words, if I was a teacher looking to change industries into a trainer, I would put the terms the job posting used like “trained class of 20-30 at a time” instead of “taught class of 20-30 students.” Those slight wording changes will make it more apparent to the employer that you do, in fact, have the necessary skills and experience for the position you are applying for.
Thirdly, think outside of the box. Sometimes you have to think more creatively to see how you might have the necessary qualifications even if you have forgotten them. Don’t get bogged down in terms of job postings. Research what the terms mean to see if you have the related experience or transferable skills. You may find that your academic experience or your time volunteering (or some other experience) were the perfect springboard for developing the skill set that a job requires.
Lastly, get your resume and cover letter reviewed. Chances are you have a resume, but it may need some refreshing. Be sure to get another set of eyes to review your resume. If you have someone that is in the industry you are going into use them as a resource. Additionally, get your resume reviewed by one of our staff who can help you tailor your resume to the position/industry. Your cover letter can be the place where you have a chance to tell an example of how your skills are relevant so make the most of that opportunity!
To schedule an appointment with one of our staff members, visit Handshake. For information on upcoming Events and Webinars, click here. Head over to our YouTube channel to find previous workshops and employer information sessions.