6 Questions to Ask Yourself About Changing Careers: Plan for your next opportunity, not the unemployment line! (Part I of 3)

Periodically, I get calls, emails, or LinkedIn messages asking for a general resume so the jobseeker can apply for “any job”. Naturally, I would like everyone to find happiness at work, so I want to help. It’s also good business to say “yes, we can do that.”

You have probably noticed, though, that employers do not advertise “any job”. They hire people to meet specific business needs, whether the challenge is to invent a new vaccine, or respond to that customer service questions their “agentic AI” can’t answer. As a result, I tell jobseekers that they will get more traction when we start with a specific job target that matches their knowledge, skills, and abilities.

If you need to make, or feel you should make a career or job change take the time to ask yourself a few questions, including;

1. Do you want to pursue a new job, or a new career?
2. What skills and experience do you need?
3. What problems do you want to solve?
4. What are you most proud of in your past work experience?
5. What are 10 job titles that you’d consider pursuing?
6. How much do you need to earn?

 Do you want to change jobs or change careers?

The first question to consider is whether or not to make a change at all. Jobseekers are facing an economy noted for layoffs in both the public and private sectors, so you may not have a choice.

Think about why you want a change when you do have a choice. For example, do you want to make a move because you disagree with the way your employer does things? There is usually more than one way to solve a problem. People I have worked with that always agree with the way leadership instructs them to solve a problem, I’ve found, may not be thinking very hard. When leadership’s approach conflicts with deeply held values, though, it is wise to consider moving on.

There is a difference between finding a new job in your current business or profession and finding a job in a different occupation. It is more difficult, to take an extreme example, for one to become a doctor instead of being a lawyer—each requires unique and specialized training. Transitioning from one law or medical practice to another one would be less arduous. (Subspecialities in the professions can be very different, so the transition may not be seamless, but it probably won’t entail years of additional schooling.)

So, think even more about the change you have in mind if you want to enter a new occupation. It could involve extensive additional schooling or starting in an entry-level job.

Do you have the skills and experience for the job or career you want?

Jobseekers often contact me because they are applying for many jobs without landing interviews. The challenge may be that the jobseeker is applying for jobs he or she does not qualify to fill. For example, a graduate from a prominent school of international affairs once asked me to prepare materials for an application to a position at a United Nations agency. The job announcement she wanted to address required 10 years of experience at UN agencies, or organizations that do business with the UN, known as NGOs. She did not qualify for this job, or similar jobs that she was applying for because she lacked the required experience.

As discussed in one of my posts on job search letters, you can determine whether you are qualified for a specific job. Briefly, create two columns on a piece of paper or on your screen—the employer’s requirements, and your qualifications. You have a shot at landing an interview if the two columns largely match. Even better, you can summarize the results of your analysis in a cover letter!

What problems do you want to solve?

Some of us think about what we want from a new job or career. As a result, I still see resumes that list an objective such as “a challenging job in a growing company” or the like. The challenge is that this does not tell prospective employers and customers what you will deliver. Are you an expert in financial reporting, purchasing, or cloud software? You have already taken a giant step toward meeting your goal when a hiring manager sees what you deliver as soon as they open your resume.

Emphasize the problem you solve when you speak with industry contacts and hiring managers, and prospective consulting clients. For example, I could tell prospective clients that I write resumes. A better approach is to tell prospective clients that I make them more competitive in the job market by collaborating with them to select job targets and then prepare their career marketing materials.

What accomplishments are you most proud of in your past jobs?

Employers are interested in what you achieve at your jobs, rather than your job description. They either know your job description or can look it up in a few seconds. Think about the accomplishments at a recent job that you are most proud of. Chances are, if you are proud of a specific accomplishment, it involves something you like doing, and something you do well. You will not only be closer to developing a viable resume, and LinkedIn profile, but be better focused on what you deliver.

What are 10 job titles you want to pursue?

It’s useful to research the specific job titles you match. For example, I spoke with a public health officer about the jobs a new biologist could fill. While we talked, I checked the Federal Government occupation search web site and looked at job titles on LinkedIn. It turns out that the term “biologist” covers many job titles, such as Aquatic Biologist, Aquatic Scientist, Biological Scientist, Botanist, Horticulturist, Marine Biologist, Research Biologist, Research Scientist, Cellular Biologist, Molecular Biologist, Wildlife Biologist, and myriad others.

Research your occupation. You will probably find many more than 10 job titles your knowledge, skills, and abilities may match.

How much do you need to earn?

Often, the first question we ask about a job is “how much does it pay?” It’s an important question because we all must earn a living. Nonetheless, it’s not a good question to ask first because you want to be “customer”, i.e. employer, focused and concentrate on talking with prospective employers about their needs, instead of your needs.

Remember, if you are making a career change and starting out in a completely different industry or function, you will probably not earn the salary you are accustomed to at the beginning of your new career. You may advance faster than younger workers based on well-honed soft skills brought from your former career, though.

Research your salary prospects before committing yourself to a big change to avoid disappointment.

Our bottom line is that it is not enough to decide that you need a new job. Take the time to think about why you want to change jobs or start a new career, prepare to discuss the kind of problems you solve, your favorite accomplishments, and the salary you are prepared to accept. Keep your focus on the employer’s needs not your own needs for best results.

Remember, you are unlikely to get any job if you write a resume designed to fit every job.