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."