Recently, someone asked me how to change careers.
The first thing I did was acknowledge how good a question that was. Mainly because there’s this empty rhetoric floating around that you can change career, do something different, move in a new direction. But nobody tells you how to do it. Or what it will take.
So I really appreciated her asking that question. Even after several years of working with career changers, I still appreciate getting back to basics, asking fundamental questions about career development, and taking it one step at a time.
So…how do you change careers?
Well, you have to get into the habit of talking about your experience differently. Most candidates say they’re ready to switch careers, but then do everything they can to stay put…even if they don’t realize it. And while it’s normal to start off talking about your current field more than any other, it’s really important not to get stuck in that narrative.
You are not a finance professional. You are a professional who has worked primarily in finance. And yes, there is a difference.
To change careers, you have to talk about your experience differently. You have to reimagine your skills and experiences. You have to commit to the career change. You have to give yourself a reasonable amount of time to make the switch (so, at last 6 months to 12 months), and you have to translate your experiences at every opportunity, including your resume, LinkedIn profile, and in conversation with potential employers.
That is how you change careers.
Like anything else, it’s going to take time. It’s going to take focus. And it’s going to feel much easier said than done. That is normal. But if you truly want to change careers, you can. I’ve worked with career changers for years, and I’ve seen lots of people make it happen.
You can, too.