We had a bit of a gardening accident this week: some weeds had gotten so established and deep-rooted that to dig them up, we wound up killing a beloved old peony. It struck me as an apt analogy for what I’m seeing happen with increasing frequency: one career path ends unceremoniously through things like layoffs, reorganizations, and business closures. So suddenly, many of my clients are faced with the need to figure out what’s next.
The peony was fairly easy to replace: I just went online and found a retailer of old-fashioned bulbs and ordered a replacement (and some crocuses because why not?), but a new job or career path is, of course, much harder.
A lot of the people I work with are making the decision to seek something new and unrelated to their old path, either because they’re nervous about the state of the field or because they want a clean break. Sometimes people also report significant discrimination now that they’re looking again, which can tip the balance too.
So how, then, can a person think about starting over wisely?
Well, the first thing to remember is that you’re not really starting over. Sure, the field might be new, and there may be differences in how you apply from last time. But you’re still the person you were before, with all those experiences and skills under your belt. The real challenge now is figuring out how to frame those so they’re attractive to the recruiters and hiring managers in whatever role is next for you.
In order to do that, you’ll want to dig in and really start reading job descriptions. Make some notes about what you find, focusing on what you have to offer. If there are any significant areas where you fall short, for example specific pieces of technology, note those as well in case you do need to sharpen some skills. Pay attention, too, to the way things are written, especially if it’s a new field for you. Chances are good that you’ve done a lot of what they’re asking for, but also that you’re framing it differently on your current resume.
Once you know how much your skills overlap with what the hiring folks are asking for, it’s time to get to work customizing your application. If you’re looking for something in a new industry, I generally recommend a cover letter, even if you don’t normally write one. It will give you the opportunity to tell your career-change story (in a positive way, of course!) so they don’t have to wonder why you’re making the change.
You will still want to tailor the resume to each role you’re applying for, though. Don’t skip this step! Those hand-wringing posts you read about people who have applied for 2,000 jobs and not even gotten an interview are your warning—those are not folks who are customizing their applications.
Finally, a quick cautionary note: age discrimination is still very much an issue in the world of work, so be mindful of making sure your information is current and not outdated. Go back roughly 10 or 15 years in your experience, make sure you don’t include things like hobbies and interests (unless they are directly relevant to the field), and stop using your Hotmail, AOL, or Yahoo email addresses.
