In a context of economic crisis like the one caused by the coronavirus , many may be forced to turn their career around to adapt to new social needs or simply to find a new job, because in addition to the cost in lives The Sars-CoV-2 virus and the lockdown and social distancing measures put in place to combat it have also caused havoc in the world of work.
However, even if you have the necessary skills to develop a job in a sector other than the one you are familiar with or in which you have experience, making this leap is not entirely easy. In order not to stay in the attempt, as indicated in Forbes magazine by the writer, professional counselor and founder of Simplyservice.org, Kourtney Whitehead , you have to be prepared, apply only to the offers in which you really have opportunities and above all, learn to sell yourself , because even if you have never worked in a specific sector, some well-adapted knowledge can be the key to open the door to a jobthat in the long run will enrich the curriculum and open the mind to new ideas.
But how does he manage to do all this without fail? Whitehead explains step by step how to achieve success in such a process :
1. Follow the 70 – 30 rule
Even in times of crisis, applying for positions for which you are not prepared can be counterproductive, since it deprives you of time that can be devoted to looking for really interesting offers that are suitable for the applicant’s profile and also causes unnecessary rejections that can end up damaging the self esteem.
The expert explains that, although it is difficult to know where the line is between a person qualified for a position and one who is not, to apply for a job and have a chance of getting it , you must have at least 70% of the skills that appear broken down in the offer . “By reducing the number of contacts, she will have enough energy to adapt her application to each of the jobs and this will translate into better results,” explains the ‘coach’.
2. Tailor your resume to the industry
Although it is advisable to have a standard version of the curriculum that will serve you for any occasion, if you want to make a foray into a new sector it is best to adapt it to your specific needs .
For Whitehead, it is essential to rewrite the curriculum and adjust it to the industry in which you want to work. “You will have to modify the way in which the experience is described, since the wording may include specific words from one field that do not work for the new one,” emphasizes the professional adviser.
In this case, the easiest thing to do is review the main websites and job offers in this sector and soak up the language they use and then adapt your resume to it. Once this has been done, it is also important to have it reviewed and approved by someone with experience in that industry . Your resume, when you arrive at a company, should have the format that the company is used to seeing. In addition, leadership skills and all those that, as part of past experience, can contribute something to a new environment should also appear prominently.
“Don’t be afraid to ask for direct and honest feedback on the content and format of the resume. These small tweaks can go a long way in making it easier for the recruiter to see that the candidate is truly qualified for the role and would fit in the industry.” adds Whitehead.
3. Know how to explain the motivation
No company wants to hire an unmotivated employee. it means you need to have motivation as well as know how to explain the motivation “Employers expect to find highly committed people who see value in work what they are doing”, explains the expert. For this reason, it is important that, beyond the economic terms —which do not have to be ignored—, the candidate knows how to explain what is the part of the job that most attracts him.
