7 Steps to Prepare for Your Career Transition

7 Steps to Prepare for Your Career Transition 

 

If you were planning a trip to Fiji, you probably wouldn’t hop on a plane and hope for the best. Instead, you would look at the weather and pack appropriate clothes, book a hotel somewhere interesting, look up things to do while you’re there, and prepare for the long plane ride you’re about to take. 

 

Unfortunately, most of us won’t go to Fiji, but all of us have gone through changes in our lives. Possibly even career changes. 

 

Just like going on a big trip, if you’re making a career transition, you need to prepare for the journey. 

 

In a series of blogs before this, I outlined what to do when you’re beginning a career transition. That mostly included assessing your skills and life situation in order to inform your next steps.  

 

Now, let me take you through the different ways you can prepare for your career transition, enabling you to successfully attain the career you love. 

 

Your preparation can and should include: 

 

 

1. 30-second & 2-minute Commercial

 

Otherwise known as an elevator pitch, this is how you answer the question, “Tell me about yourself,” in a networking or interview setting. In it, you should detail who you are, what your relevant experience is, and how you bring value to a company or workplace.  

 

2. Resume & Business Cards

 

A well-written resume can mean the difference between getting an interview and being passed over. Your resume should be tailored to each job you’re applying for and be full of keywords and accomplishment statements. For business cards, you never know when you’ll meet someone who could help you along your career journey. Keep a few business cards with you at all times. 

 

3. Professional References

 

Inevitably, you will be asked for references in the job search process. Prepare that list beforehand by reaching out to current or former managers, customers, or coworkers and asking if they would be willing to serve as a professional reference.  

 

4. Marketing Emails

 

A marketing email is any correspondence you have during your job search, including cover letters. Every email you send should present your personality, writing style, and (depending on the situation), qualifications.  

 

5. Social Media

 

The way you use social media will vary based on your career. However, everyone should have a well-crafted LinkedIn profile and know how to utilize the platform. Taking advantage of social media is a major way you can craft your personal brand and make yourself an appealing hire for future employers.  

 

6. Researching Target Companies

 

Before commencing a job search, you should have some idea of which companies you want to work for. (If you don’t know or are unsure about what you even want your career to be, consider working with a career coach). Research the company, its strengths and weaknesses, and connect with current employees. 

 

7. Practice Interviewing

 

Interviews can be stressful and overwhelming. If they’re something that causes you anxiety, start preparing now for the interview, even if you don’t have one scheduled yet.  In preparation for the interview: 

• Research the organization online including Google search, Glassdoor and and Yahoo Finance if it is a public company.  In addition, look for the hiring leader’s bio on LinkedIn. 
• Formulate questions about the role and company that illustrate you have done your research.  
• Rehearse your responses to the most commonly asked interview questions and practice interviewing with a friend or career coach. 

 

Preparing for the job search process is just as important as the actual job search itself. Gathering and fine-tuning your resume, cover letter, social media, and interview skills—among other things—will make you a more desirable job candidate and solidify how you want to present yourself in the career world. Don’t skip this crucial step in your career transition journey. 

 

Happy prepping! 

 Sydney