5 ways to make a successful career transition

One of the fallouts of the COVID-19 pandemic has been the large-scale disruption in the job market, leading to a prevailing sense of uncertainty within the corporate workforce. Globally, the International Labour Organization has pegged the impact of full or partial lockdown measures to have affected 2.7 billion workers, representing 81% of the global workforce. 

Amidst these job losses and economic malaise, the situation has inadvertently presented itself with an opportunity for job seekers to better understand their current job roles and future aspirations. At the tip of the technological revolution, now is a valuable time to reflect on the numerous opportunities that you can explore by stepping out of your professional comfort zone. 

Career pivoting, as it is more popularly known, has set itself up as the go-to choice for those seeking new challenges, new learnings, and new experiences. That said, transitioning to a new role, irrespective of the economic situation at hand, is no easy task and comes with its own set of challenges. Having the right strategy in place from the get-go is especially important, as you navigate unchartered territories. 

Strengths and strategy

The key to a rewarding career is finding something you are passionate about, and making it work. Before you can pivot, you need to ask yourself, what are you passionate about and how you can combine it with your strengths to find the right field for you. Do not be too modest. While you might feel like you do not have a lot of skills, reflect on your professional and personal journey to find what excites you the most, whether it is a soft or technical skill, and how you can apply that to solving real-world problems. 

It becomes important to understand what skills you want to focus on, along with understanding the current market, and how best you can position yourself to be a value add in this scenario. 

Tips for successful career transition 

Reinvent yourself: A big part of a career pivoting lies in reinventing yourself to suit the needs of the new sector you are exploring. While you may have gotten acclimatized to functioning in a certain way, let go of the past and focus on the present and future, with new skills, and a new outlook towards your career change.

Craft a compelling narrative on why you are pivoting: Irrespective of the highs and lows of the job market, you should be prepared to answer tough questions on why you are pivoting, especially if you are midcareer. Craft a narrative that justifies the reasons behind the switch and positions you as a value-add to the company you are looking to join.  

Network virtually: Professional social media platforms are a suitable place to connect with prospective mentors and partners and better understand what is happening in the market. Virtual networking also helps you keep a pulse on the job market and gain access to the right resources that will help you foster a support system to help you pivot successfully. 

Learn a new skill: Unless you learn a new skill, you will find it hard to pivot successfully. Continuous learning makes you more receptive to change and helps you develop a growth mindset that is crucial to starting in a new field. Align your passions with in-demand skills in the market to determine which new skills might be most relevant to your job search and next role. Today, there are plenty of options available utilizing learning management systems, online courses, webinars, and certifications from industry bodies that are aiding in the upskilling process. 

Get a career coach: At the start of a new career, working with a professional who will guide you through the process and chalk out an actionable roadmap is always advisable. Their ability will go a long way in helping you with insights, job leads, building a strong resume and preparation for interviews to land the job of your dreams.

Job hunting especially today is not easy, and we know it can be disheartening to not hear back from a company you pinned your hopes on. Be realistic and patient and continue to work on yourself. One way to thrive throughout your job search is to identify strengths that have helped you in the past and where you see yourself next. You don’t need to have it all planned, just a general idea is enough for now. This will help you pivot successfully and create brackets between now and moving forward.

The author Joel Paul, is the Managing Director of Randstad RiseSmart IMEA. He can be reached at joel.paul@randstadrisesmart.com