Among the biggest reasons why people leave their jobs is that there is not movement, or other opportunities, within their organization. People want a career path they can work towards; one that utilizes their skills and experiences that got them hired in the first place.
Younger generations, particularly, are looking to make a difference in their organizations, and not just for the money. According to a study by Heartland Monitor Poll (2015), 57% of younger workers said they preferred a job that they found enjoyable or making a difference in society, versus one that made lot of money but did not lead to satisfaction, either personally or externally.
With that being said, more people will be looking to make a career transition of some kind. Perhaps this might mean going the path towards leadership; it may mean transitioning to a new department to learn more skills and that aligns with their goals; or it may mean starting their own business to help others.
Making a career transition is not something done lightly. It requires a dose of creative thinking with a dash of strategy and planning; stirring them together will bring success. Here are some steps to do so:
- Decide what the next step in the transition should be: it starts with the end-result, so identifying what the next role is will give a you the goal to attain. This may take some research to see what is available as well as decisions to make; what if your organization does not have the desired position you want, or not at this time – you may have to decide on staying and waiting, or going on. Having the end-goal in mind will keep you motivated to work towards it.
- Become a career explorer – this involves doing needed research on the role you desire to see what skills, experience, training, degree, etc. is desired and then matching yours to them. A great way to do so is to find a job description, which you can access either on the company’s website or google one, since there are samples out there. Look at what is required vs what is preferred; required means they are not negotiable and could immediately knock you out of consideration, while preferred means having them would put you ahead of those who may not possess that preference.
- Time to dust off the networking skills – it still holds true that the best way to get a job is through someone you know so getting out and talking to people who can connect you, or vouch for you, will become your #1 job search model. Meet the hiring manager and network with peers in the desired department. See who else knows who else that they can connect you with. Be a giver and see how you can add value to their role and how you have made a difference within the organization.
- Update your resume and tailor it to reflect the desired skills in the job description, using key words in them. While an internal move may not get your resume in the applicant tracking system (ATS), there is a possibility it may due to high volume; however, even if someone is reviewing it, make it easy for them to quickly determine you have the skills they are looking for and get you on the top of the pile.
- Practice your interviewing skills and identify your stories – write down experiences you have had, as behavioral interviewing is still key: was there a time you… how did you handle…..what was your response to…… etc. Past behavior determine future so paint them an action-filled picture that they can ‘see’ your capabilities and how you’ve used them to create results
- Have the right mindset – making any type of transition can be challenging, and also can be depleting, in the many layers and time it takes to make a desired career move. Ensuring you keep a positive attitude and outlook will see you through. Read positive motivational quotes, review your accomplishments, gain support from friends and family, journal or practice gratitude are all ways you can keep negative thoughts at bay and keep forging on.
Making a career transition is a process so that you want to go smoothly. Following the steps above will put you in control and get you through until you reach the desired results.
If you’d like to learn more and how to get the most out of yourself, and your people, we’re here to serve. We have our Fableader program where we will:
- Look at your goals, challenges you are facing, and opportunities you might be missing.
- Uncover any hidden problems that may be sabotaging your desired results
- Create an action plan and implement it together so that you finally get the results you have been looking for but were unable to find.
- Address challenges that come up along the way, leaving you feeling renewed, re-energized, and inspired to take action and get faster results
If you’re ready to get started, contact us today to schedule your Fableader Breakthrough Strategy Session. barbara@cyscoaching.com Visit our website at http://cyscoaching.com and our blog at https://allaboutcareerssite.com.
Your Career Success Blog 