Ah, the good times. You went to school, did your best, got a job, and then you were done. Why is this not working? An industry that was promising a few years back is now disappearing as the economy changes. With new industries emerging all around the world, there are many new job titles.
You may find yourself unemployed after 20 years of working in one job. There is little chance that your old job will return. You can’t enjoy the stability of a career, but you need to start over.
The new career cycle is here. You can get educated, find work, and then get more experience. Then, your career ends and you start looking for a new job or career. How can you be successful in such a chaotic and unpredictable work environment and career?
Moving from one career to another or within an industry to another requires that you identify all your transferable skills. These skills must be identified and packaged so that the new employer can have confidence that you are capable of performing the duties required for the new job.
Here are five ways to transfer and build the skills you need:
1. It is a good habit to research careers. Keep an eye on the job market in your local area and keep up to date with job and career trends. Copying job announcements that are interesting is a good idea. Pay attention to the required skills. You may not possess the listed skills.
2. Evaluate your skills. Make a list of all your skills. You may think you know what you are good at, such as managing a project that is time sensitive and negotiating with vendors to complete the job on time. But, it’s really a collection of valuable and hard-earned skills.
3. Never stop learning. You should plan to learn for the rest of your life. You should always be learning new languages and the most recent technology. Your efforts should include a regular reading program. There are many programs offered by local schools and colleges. The internet offers a variety of options for distance learning.
4. Your experience is your best asset. You can build your experience by engaging in activities outside of your work. You can gain valuable experience by working with your church or charity. You can also gain experience through career group associations.
5. Refine your self. You are not your job title. Your work experience is not your entire job. Your accomplishments, skills and abilities are what make you unique. You are able to accomplish many things, such as solving problems, breaking down barriers, serving customers, building teams, and implementing ideas. All of these activities add value to your job and provide benefits for your employer.
Your career transition will succeed if you refocus your efforts and focus on the skills required by prospective employers. You will likely be changing careers multiple times. Keep working and using the five methods to find new opportunities.
