This week we continue our job search exploration and discuss a topic that has come up many times in the comments section: changing careers.
We can’t say we’re surprised that this is such a hot topic – it is very It’s common for people to change majors at some point in their careers. After all, your priorities may change over time, you may find new passions or simply want something different than what you wanted when you first started your career.
These conversations can be especially lively within our community because on Coursera you can find several professional certifications from industry leaders designed to prepare you for entry-level careers such as data analytics, cybersecurity, and digital marketing. Many students earn this credential to demonstrate the development of foundational skills in a desired new career field.
But honing your skills and earning a credential is only one part of the career change journey. Here are our simplified steps to prepare for a career change:
- Evaluate your current career.
- Clarify your career goals.
- Explore potential careers.
- Read job descriptions.
- Define your course of action.
Now, how will you get from the job you have to work you want?
Let’s explore some strategies.
If you’ve been here for a while, you already know our number one tip: know your goals. Being clear about the results you are striving for can allow you to strategically plan your way forward. For guidance on goal setting, please revisit our Professional Development Goals issue.
Think about what you want more of, what you want less of, and what your top career priorities are. Then consider what types of roles align with those goals.
For example, salary could be a key driver for you. To find potential roles, you can search average salary databases, such as the US Bureau of Labor Statistics or Glassdoor, for roles that match your desired compensation and read the role descriptions to decide if the roles interest you. You can also search job listings online using keywords that match your criteria. For example, if you’re looking for a well-paying work-from-home job, you can search the Internet for “high-paying remote jobs.”
Following, focus on your skills. You can learn any technical skill you need to qualify for the role, but pay close attention to your transferable skills.
Although this may be your first time taking on a role in this specific field, you do bring with you several years of work experience, and that experience is valuable. In your resume and cover letter, relate the work you’ve done in the past to the work you hope to do in the future by highlighting the aspects of your previous roles that are most relevant to your future role.
For example, let’s say you’re transitioning from a high school math teacher to a data analyst. Hiring managers may not think too highly of your experience writing lesson plans, but they will be impressed by your analytical approach to test preparation by assessing five-year student achievement to optimize your areas of focus. Likewise, your Teacher of the Year award may carry more significance in your school district, but your demonstrated success in communicating complex math concepts in an engaging way that motivates stakeholders may be enticing.
Finally (for now), we recommend relying on your network. Finding a job is not easy, especially when you are trying to do something new. With the ease of online applications, companies are getting more qualified candidates than ever, which can mean people are applying for more jobs and getting less feedback. Your network can help you identify job opportunities, recommend you for jobs, or be your advisor when the going gets tough.
Revisit our Networking Tips issue to explore ways to grow your network, and check out the Coursera community to connect with students working toward the same goals as you.
Keep growing
For more tips on changing careers, read our articles on changing careers in your thirties, forties and fifties.
For step-by-step resume instructionstry SUNY Online’s five-hour How to Write a Resume course.
To dream of your next career movecheck out the University of California, Santa Cruz, The Career Design Lab: Change your Job, Change your Life course or explore other options with Coursera’s Career Academy.
Tell us how you manage to change your career in the comments (success stories are welcome!). We’ll be back next week with the problem of finding remote jobs. I’ll see you then!