Prior to beginning the job search, it’s important to determine what type of job you are looking for as well as what industry. Not sure where’s your niche? The Meyers Briggs Indicator is a great start. Not into testing? Write down a list of things you enjoy doing. Turn something you love into a career. For example, you may have an interest in travel and love to socialize. In fact you’re the life of the party. Have you ever thought of becoming a travel agent?
How you market yourself is completely different for the same position depending on the industry. For example, a resume for a pharmaceutical sales rep will focus on your sales experience but mainly on product knowledge, possibly your pre-med or nursing experience or education. This is different than if you were looking to enter software sales in the banking industry. Specialized experience in the banking industry would be preferred but not required. Your sales experience in other industries and sales training would be a focus because you could with some effort learn the banking industry through research or job shadowing. The sales process is basically still the same with one goal in mind-getting the sale.
It might be important to realize that if you are looking to make a career change from Accounting to Event Planning you need to focus on skills and qualifications and most importantly do your research. Look at companies and start by visiting their website. View job descriptions of positions you are interested in and learn the business. Keep notes of key words used in the job or industry of your choice.
Next Week. . . The resume
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
Very Cool! I know a lot of folks who could learn from your site. Looking forward to “the resume” next time!!!
Very Cool! I know a lot of folks who need and could benefit from this type of blog. Looking forward to the next edition – “the resume…”
Jessica, you have touched upon the first and foremost important principle in anyone’s job search – identifying what kind of job or industry one would like to join. A lot of job seekers spread their energy over unrelated fields in the hope of getting in ‘somewhere’ and ‘somehow’. While this strategy might be a little justified if someone is in an extreme survival mode, it won’t be a long term or a satisfying solution. One has to find out by looking inwards about what one loves to do, related skills already possessed or that may easily be developed. Finally, like you have suggested, one has to market oneself into that target niche with full focus and the results are bound to be positive. Good advice. Thanks.