The HBCU Career Center

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No Experience? No Connections? No Worries, You Can Still Break into a New Industry

Are you interested in moving into a new career or industry but lack connections and experience? Have you engaged in preliminary research to understand what experience and skills are needed for this new career? Consider these strategies offered by The HBCU Career Center and Washington Post article, "How to Break into a New Industry with No Connections or Experience"

Be open to entry level positions

Your lack of connections and experience may mean that you have to take a step backwards in terms of pay and prestige. However, if you are open to possibilities, this move can help get your foot in the door, learn new skills and allow you to build a new career from within the company.

Rescript your resume

You may need to use different descriptors to showcase your knowledge and skills in a new industry. Also, as job descriptions change and become more outcome-focused, skill-focused and team-based, pay careful attention to the job responsibilities and refocus your resume to appeal to these new descriptions. Use this list of transferable skills to help you revise your resume. Also, consider creating a functional resume to highlight the skills you have acquired rather than a timeline of your experience. This can help the recruiter focus on \

Upskill or go back to school

Invest in ways to make yourself marketable for the new industry that you’re aiming to work in. You may be able to get a certification, take a few classes, or even volunteer with an organization to acquire new knowledge and skills. Indeed offers a list of in-demand soft and hard skills to consider as well as a process for upskilling if you are changing careers or industries. 

Network

Just because you do not currently have connections in this new field, doesn't mean you can't network to make new connections. In Have you Caught the Career Transition Bug, and Build Your Network Using these Platforms,The HBCU Career Center offers a variety of ways to get started with networking.

Work with a career coach

If you feel overwhelmed by employing these strategies on your own, consider hiring a career coach to help you navigate which moves to make. Indeed suggests using a career change coach: "A coach can help identify how to make this change, including the skills you require, connections you can make and the adjustments to make on your resume."

Planning future career moves? Use our career insights tool to research education and certifications needed to succeed in your field, salary ranges in your profession, and the overall prospects of your industry.