1) Formulate.

Make a plan and be prepared. Don’t get caught up in the “wait and see” mode, and don’t let yourself be idle. Looking for a new career is a project and requires planning and organization. Your detailed project plan will help keep you focused, productive and will force a discipline in your daily schedule. However to move to a new career, your milestones should include specific items regarding your search goals. What organizations are you going to contact? How are you going to contact them? Do you know anyone personally? Have they been included in your activities? When will you follow up? Use a project plan template or create one that includes milestones and the tasks required to reach them. If you need assistance in preparing your plan, reach out in the “Let’s Chat” page of this website.

2) Investigate.

Use this website as well as countless others to learn about opportunities that might be of interest to you. Many of the job search engines can give you ideas of the industries in demand for workers. The U.S. Department of Labor website has very good information that can help expand your thinking about what you can do and also has skills assessment tests that you can take on-line. Community colleges and local universities can also be great resources for researching careers and requisite education and training.

Once you have identified an industry, research individual companies and check out industry associations. An organization’s website provides a lot of information to help you determine if it could be a fit (culture, mission, career opportunities, income, etc.). As you do your research, begin to think of marketing yourself to them. How can you see yourself contributing to that company? Seek out the answers in your research.

3) Evaluate.

Once you determine what you want to do and possible career directions, consider whether you need to expand your network and how you might go about it.  Review opportunities that seem relevant and determine whether they fit within your personal plans. When considering an industry or specific organization, spend some time doing your homework and ask yourself key questions. What skills do you possess that you know would be of value to them? How can you make them realize your skills would be an asset? Are you aligned with their organization’s mission? Do they offer a work schedule that fits with your personal needs? Do you need to be trained in a specific area or need additional formal education? What role would you have?

As you evaluate opportunities, rank them in the order that you would like them and prioritize your efforts. Also recognize how you can relate your education, skills and experience to other industries. Know that your first job may not be the opportunity that meets all of your objectives, but every job can be an important stepping stone and an opportunity to expand your knowledge and network.

4) Communicate.

This is critical, as people cannot help you if they don’t know how! We all know that networks are the key to finding good jobs. Before you get in touch with former colleagues, classmates, friends, relatives and neighbors, know what you want to tell them – and what you want to ask them. Every conversation is an opportunity to learn and also to expand your network. Be positive about your options, and also know and practice what you want to say to others.

You should have a couple of speeches memorized. Sometimes called elevator speeches, these short snippets should answer the questions, “so what are you doing these days?”; “what are you looking to do?” and “how can I help?” A great book on this is “Brag, The Art of Tooting your own Horn without Blowing it” by Peggy Klaus.

One word of caution…If you are thinking or feeling negative, it will show up in your communication – either in the tone, your body language or in the actual words. Your impact may be very different from your intention if you are having a bad day. Before you reach out, do something to get into a positive mood. Call a friend, go for a walk, count your blessings, work out, read, sing, meditate – anything that works for you.

5)  Accentuate.

Seeking a job in another industry is going to be outside of your comfort zone and outside of the network you are most familiar with, so it is critical that you make the most of every aspect of “you” and leverage your connections. You have a lot to offer – make sure you let others know.

Review the “Marketing You” information on this site. Network, network, network!