by Todd Anten
hotjobs.yahoo.com
When most people undertake a job search, they seek a position that is fairly similar to their last job.
Sure, they may get a title change or some new responsibilities, but they basically stay on the same career track. Accountants look for accounting jobs, teachers look for teaching jobs and underwater basket-weavers look for underwater basket-weaving jobs.
But what if you're sick of your career track? What if you want to get a job in a completely new field in which you have no experience and no contacts?
We have good news for you: This may be the perfect time to explore such a switch. In a rough economy where many people are struggling to find ANY job, many are also reevaluating their priorities and entertaining risky (but exciting) career changes.
In fact, nearly half of all job seekers tracked over the past year have found new jobs in completely different industries, according to a survey from outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas.
But making a switch isn't easy. It means you're going to have to work harder to learn about your new job of interest, make contacts and establish yourself as someone worth taking a chance on.
Here are some tips for making a major career U-turn.
The Ultimate Career-Switch Handbook
So you're interested in switching to a completely different job ... but do you know what the job entails? Or what the requirements are? Or how much it pays? Don't panic. Consult the "Occupational Outlook Handbook."
The handbook, compiled by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, is essential reading for any job seeker, but especially for a job seeker who's changing careers.
In the BLS's own words, the handbook "describes what workers do on the job, working conditions, the training and education needed, earnings, and expected job prospects in a wide range of occupations." In other words, it tells all.
The information in the "Occupational Outlook Handbook" is essential reading because it lays out the basic prerequisites for almost any job you can think of. So if you need to take some classes, get a certification or have certain types of work experience before applying for a job, this handbook will tell you how to prepare.
To read the handbook, click here.
To Switch Careers, Be Industrious
When considering a major career switch, it helps to know what people in your prospective new industry are talking about. To get filled in, all you need to do is a bit of reading.
Industry publications -- that is, specialty magazines, newspapers and newsletters -- can give you a great glimpse into the latest news, big debates, common buzzwords and major players involved in a particular industry.
In other words, these niche publications show you what it's like to have a job in a particular industry.
Some examples of industry publications:
* Advertising and marketing execs have "Advertising Age."
* Human resources professionals often read "HR Magazine."
* Police officers have "Police: The Law Enforcement Magazine."
The list goes on ...
To find some possible industry magazines, do a simple Yahoo! search at www.yahoo.com. Type in the name of the industry and "magazine."
Also, your local library will likely have current and back issues of many industry publications.
Calling All Alumni!
When it comes to switching jobs, there's one resource that can help you more than anything else: People who actually have the job you want.
Talking to a professional who holds your dream job can provide an insider's perspective, giving you a feel for the day-to-day tasks a job might entail. It also gives you a chance to ask questions and get some honest answers.
"But I don't know anybody with that job," you might say.
Here's a good way to start: If you have a college alumni network, use it! Many college career centers have lists of alumni and where they work. These lists are part of mentoring programs in which former graduates help recent graduates find jobs.
When contacting alumni, be respectful and try not to be too pushy. Remember to thank them for their assistance.
If you did not go to college, there are other career networking resources available to you. Clubs, social gatherings and professional organizations all provide strong networking opportunities.
Insider Info Through Informational Interviews
To learn about a completely new industry, go straight to the source.
Many organizations allow curious people such as yourself to come in for informational interviews.
The purpose of an informational interview is for you to learn about the company -- to get a sense of what they do and what it would be like to work there. It is not a formal job interview.
Before arranging an informational interview, be sure to research the company and create a list of smart questions to ask. After all, they're going to expect that you have some baseline knowledge about the company. So visit the company's Web site, click around and get a sense of the company history.
To read a HotJobs article on how to find and ace informational interviews, click here.
Launching a major career switch can be intimidating -- it's almost like you're starting all over again. But remember: That can be a positive. And some employers are looking for candidates with unusual or nontraditional work experiences. So go for it -- you never know until you try.
hotjobs.yahoo.com
When most people undertake a job search, they seek a position that is fairly similar to their last job.
Sure, they may get a title change or some new responsibilities, but they basically stay on the same career track. Accountants look for accounting jobs, teachers look for teaching jobs and underwater basket-weavers look for underwater basket-weaving jobs.
But what if you're sick of your career track? What if you want to get a job in a completely new field in which you have no experience and no contacts?
We have good news for you: This may be the perfect time to explore such a switch. In a rough economy where many people are struggling to find ANY job, many are also reevaluating their priorities and entertaining risky (but exciting) career changes.
In fact, nearly half of all job seekers tracked over the past year have found new jobs in completely different industries, according to a survey from outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas.
But making a switch isn't easy. It means you're going to have to work harder to learn about your new job of interest, make contacts and establish yourself as someone worth taking a chance on.
Here are some tips for making a major career U-turn.
The Ultimate Career-Switch Handbook
So you're interested in switching to a completely different job ... but do you know what the job entails? Or what the requirements are? Or how much it pays? Don't panic. Consult the "Occupational Outlook Handbook."
The handbook, compiled by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, is essential reading for any job seeker, but especially for a job seeker who's changing careers.
In the BLS's own words, the handbook "describes what workers do on the job, working conditions, the training and education needed, earnings, and expected job prospects in a wide range of occupations." In other words, it tells all.
The information in the "Occupational Outlook Handbook" is essential reading because it lays out the basic prerequisites for almost any job you can think of. So if you need to take some classes, get a certification or have certain types of work experience before applying for a job, this handbook will tell you how to prepare.
To read the handbook, click here.
To Switch Careers, Be Industrious
When considering a major career switch, it helps to know what people in your prospective new industry are talking about. To get filled in, all you need to do is a bit of reading.
Industry publications -- that is, specialty magazines, newspapers and newsletters -- can give you a great glimpse into the latest news, big debates, common buzzwords and major players involved in a particular industry.
In other words, these niche publications show you what it's like to have a job in a particular industry.
Some examples of industry publications:
* Advertising and marketing execs have "Advertising Age."
* Human resources professionals often read "HR Magazine."
* Police officers have "Police: The Law Enforcement Magazine."
The list goes on ...
To find some possible industry magazines, do a simple Yahoo! search at www.yahoo.com. Type in the name of the industry and "magazine."
Also, your local library will likely have current and back issues of many industry publications.
Calling All Alumni!
When it comes to switching jobs, there's one resource that can help you more than anything else: People who actually have the job you want.
Talking to a professional who holds your dream job can provide an insider's perspective, giving you a feel for the day-to-day tasks a job might entail. It also gives you a chance to ask questions and get some honest answers.
"But I don't know anybody with that job," you might say.
Here's a good way to start: If you have a college alumni network, use it! Many college career centers have lists of alumni and where they work. These lists are part of mentoring programs in which former graduates help recent graduates find jobs.
When contacting alumni, be respectful and try not to be too pushy. Remember to thank them for their assistance.
If you did not go to college, there are other career networking resources available to you. Clubs, social gatherings and professional organizations all provide strong networking opportunities.
Insider Info Through Informational Interviews
To learn about a completely new industry, go straight to the source.
Many organizations allow curious people such as yourself to come in for informational interviews.
The purpose of an informational interview is for you to learn about the company -- to get a sense of what they do and what it would be like to work there. It is not a formal job interview.
Before arranging an informational interview, be sure to research the company and create a list of smart questions to ask. After all, they're going to expect that you have some baseline knowledge about the company. So visit the company's Web site, click around and get a sense of the company history.
To read a HotJobs article on how to find and ace informational interviews, click here.
Launching a major career switch can be intimidating -- it's almost like you're starting all over again. But remember: That can be a positive. And some employers are looking for candidates with unusual or nontraditional work experiences. So go for it -- you never know until you try.
Job Info , Jobs Sources , Career Opportunity
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