5 tips for switching careers
I recently read two NY Times articles that announced some big shifts. One article suggested that the pandemic is over and one article said that the ‘Great Resignation’ is over. Wow! You know something is officially over when the NY Times writes about it. These articles made me think about how many things have changed in the past few years, especially regarding my daily work.
One thing is for sure, coming out of the pandemic, we are in a candidates’ market. Team culture and impact are things that people are prioritizing in their job search in new ways. My inbox is overflowing with people yearning to work for a non-profit for the first time in their careers, people who feel a calling to something climate-related, or teachers who have taught for 10+ years and are now looking to make a different kind of impact.
In this newsletter, I’m focusing on how to switch careers. In the past, I talked about how to prepare yourself for a big career change. Once you’ve done that prep work, here are a few tips on how to make a change and still be able to tell a story of what you’ve accomplished in your past roles.
5 tips if you are switching careers:
Language Matters. Make sure that the words you use in your resume, application materials, and LinkedIn profile can speak to people who are outside of your previous field. It’s not about the percentage of kids that passed the MCAS test because no one outside of the Massachusetts education scene knows that test. It’s about how your students did compared to the statewide average or how many percentage points everyone increased by during your tenure.
Use words that everyone can understand. The “Brother-In-Law Test" can help here: ask your brother-in-law to review your resume. My brother-in-law works in corporate America focused on health care. Our worlds couldn’t be more different. If he can understand it, anyone can.
Start small. For most roles I’m looking to fill, the client wants to hire someone who is connected in the space or has done a similar job elsewhere. If you haven’t done a similar job to the one you are applying for, then you need a way to stand out.
If you can do it, consider volunteering for a local organization. The Boston 350 chapter and the Boston Cyclists Union both have great local volunteer opportunities where you get to make a climate-related impact.
The key is to do something so that you have a story to tell. If you are a social media expert who wants to move from a big consulting firm to a climate organization, consider volunteering or giving your services away at a wicked reduced rate. Future employers will want to hear that you are connected to the space and this is a great way to do just that.
Focus on your LinkedIn Network. When looking to make a change, start with the people who know you and love you and ask for introductions. Lean into LinkedIn.
If you know you want to land a role at a political organization that inspires people to run for state level offices, figure out who the groups are in the space, and ask people for introductions. You could even ask people to connect on LinkedIn.
You can write something like: “I’ve been a teacher the last 10 years, but I’m looking to do more political work. I’m hoping to connect here on LinkedIn as I’m a big fan of Vote Run Lead and I see we have some mutual connections.” Or: “I’m starting to think about my next adventure and culture and impact are wicked important to me. I typically wouldn’t send out LinkedIn invites to total strangers, but I’m really trying to push myself to connect with people in the XXX space. I’m a fan of XXX organization and I’d love to connect here and learn more about what you all do.”
Prep your responses in advance. We’ve mentioned in other Get Hired editions about tips to nail your phone screen. If you are changing careers, make sure you have a good answer to any of the introductory questions about why you are interested in this position and what your superpower is.
Most importantly, make sure you have a response to a question about a time you’ve been in a new environment. Something like: “X thing was new to me, but I was able to accomplish X.” Similar to the “Brother-In-Law Test,” run your responses by someone outside your field to make sure it makes sense to us muggles.
5. When in doubt, if you have the means to do so, pay an expert to help you. Since the start of the year, Kristen Saybe has coached over 80 people. One service people speak highly of is the mock interview. For $200, you can send Kristin a job description you are applying for and she will do a mock interview with you for 30 minutes. Then, she’ll give you feedback on the interview for 20 minutes.
Check out all 30 of NRG’s searches. Eleven of those positions are remote.
Opportunities NRG is hiring for:
National Candidate Pipeline Director at Run For Something; $132,600; Remote
Canvass Director - Milwaukee at Action for the Climate Emergency (ACE); $7,500/month; temporary position that runs from August 20-October 20, 2023; Milwaukee, WI
Free Press Managing Director at Freedom Forum;; $175,000-$185,000; Washington, D.C.
Executive Communications Director at the Solidarity Center; $185,523; Washington, D.C.
Director of People and Operational Development at Build Health International; $90,000-$110,000; Boston, MA
State Directors in MI, AZ, NM, OR, and WA at Vote Run Lead; $80,000-$95,000; Remote within the respective state
Deputy Director at National Black Worker Center; $90,000-$110,000; Remote
Communications Director at National Black Worker Center; $70,000-$90,000; Remote
Executive Assistant at National Black Worker Center; $50,000-$57,000; Remote
Southeast Regional Lead Organizer at National Black Worker Center; $55,000-$65,000; Remote
Health Facilitator Fellows at Peer Health Exchange; $24/hour; opportunities in Boston, MA, Chicago, IL, Los Angeles, CA and New York, NY
In addition to this list, you can find more opportunities on the website. Follow NRG on LinkedIn to stay up-to-date on all of the roles we are hiring for.
Keep moving forward,
Naomi
P.S. If you want another perspective on your resume and interview answers, sign up right now for 15 minutes with Kristin to learn how NRG’s coaching programs can help you.
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