Choosing the career change path is a bold and exciting decision, often from a desire for growth, fulfillment, or simply being ready for the next challenge. However, this can be a daunting transition, bringing unique challenges that can slow or derail your efforts if not anticipated and carefully navigated.
After crossing multiple career boundaries, I discovered repeatable steps beginning in the early planning stages. I learned that preparing required time, which varied with each move. It took time to start with a realistic plan (or roadmap), upskill, and ultimately position myself, to reach the milestone of being ready to redefine my professional image (i.e. brand), resume, LinkedIn, and key-value messaging for networking and interviews. LinkedIn came in after my career began, and back then, we were not taught branding or value messaging. Career advancement was taught differently, however there are fundamentals that remain the same.
Professional branding is a newer concept for many. Still, before this became mainstream, the strategy mindset in me knew I needed to leverage the uniqueness in my background along with what I knew and prepare to appear as an applicant that lined up with their culture, values, and be overprepared to talk comfortably about things I had experience in as well as the things I did not. I also knew I needed to talk with others to determine which experiences I needed to know of and which I needed to have examples ready to explain in detail.
In each career change I’ve pursued, I received a job offer within the first or second interview. As a meticulous project manager, I can joke that this was my OCD coming out, or we can acknowledge that there are strategic approaches to changing careers that work and plans with only partial considerations that will struggle.
Today, as a career coach, I'm familiar with strategies that enable you to redefine your professional brand and apply it across your job search materials and stages. This supports not only your goals but also helps get you in the game with a career narrative and confidence booster.
Before we get into the strategic moves every career changer should consider in their Career Change Roadmap, let’s explore some of the top mistakes people make when changing careers and offer practical strategies to avoid them.
If you're considering a career change, these insights can help ensure you have an effective plan so your journey can be as efficient and effective as possible.
“A goal without a plan is just a wish.” – Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
When navigating a career change, having a clear plan with actionable steps is the key to turning dreams into reality.
An effective Career Change Roadmap should help avoid these traps:
1. Not Identifying Transferable Skills
The Mistake:
One of career changers' biggest mistakes is failing to identify and leverage their transferable skills. Transitioning into a new career is never starting from scratch, as many people may think. Your past experiences have equipped you with skills applicable across industries, often a unique differentiator in the market. If you do not take the time to discover or recognize them, then potential employers will never learn about them either.
How to Avoid:
Create a Skills Inventory of your current skill set, particularly skills adaptable to your desired field. If a new industry, work with someone familiar with your desired field, because basic skills are often transferrable but not always in ways you recognize. There are also different levels of experience needed for various skills. You need to be able to recognize which skills you simply need to be familiar with in an interview, which you need first-hand experience, and which you need extensive experience. This is where career coaches who have walked this path are valuable because we have gone through this and have seen the power of transferrable skills in new roles.
For example, if you've been in sales, you likely have strong communication and negotiation skills—these are useful in marketing, business development, or even project management.
An example close to home, if you’re in a technical role such as IT quality assurance, you likely have coding, requirements gathering, managing releases, risk management, and project management skills. These are useful when moving into various roles, such as development, business, risk management, and project management. The trick is the completeness of your Skills Inventory because anything you miss is value you’re leaving off the table. As human beings, we often overlook or unsell ourselves and do not recognize our value in a role in which we have never worked.
Your Skills Inventory becomes powerful when you can easily match it against the job requirements of your dream job. A visual view can quickly help you see the connections between where you are and where you want to go.
This process also helps you dig up possibly older memory files, because you need examples and be able to highlight your unique value and where your skills do line up. This is powerful when it comes time to rebrand and optimize resumes, LinkedIn profiles, as well as your elevator pitch, and career stories to use in interviews.
Perception is key. Not only with how potential employers will see you but also how you see yourself. Both are two big challenges for career changers that are not talked about enough and either can derail your roadmap by years.
2. Relying Solely on Online Applications
The Mistake:
Many career changers rely solely on job boards, online applications, or recruiters in their new field. Gone are the days when you could sit behind a screen, click “apply,” and wait for opportunities to flood in. Gone are the days of working with a recruiter (or two) who does the work for you. For those who have not reached this point in their career change journey, the reality is far from it. The online job market is over-saturated, and applying without networking can result in your resume never making it to the top of the pile (or anywhere near close).
How to Avoid It:
Networking is now ½ of the game. It’s often said that 80% of jobs are never publicly advertised but are filled through referrals and networking. Instead of spending all your time applying online, let’s also talk about strategies that allocate effort toward building a professional network in your new industry. An easy place to start is connecting with individuals in your desired field on LinkedIn, attending industry-specific events, and joining relevant online groups.
Reread that last statement.
It was not an OR condition but an AND condition. If you want to be seen as someone in your desired field, you need to be active in it. Especially if you have insecurities or are dealing with imposter syndrome. It's exciting to want to move into a new area, but we often start feeling like outsiders. The more comfortable you become around those in your desired field, you begin to feel a part of it, which is a big confidence builder. At a minimum, you learn the terminology and talk the talk, so you can eventually walk the walk.
Many have discovered the power of informational interviews, which are still an invaluable tool for learning about your new industry and gaining insights from people already in your desired field. Remember, these are busy professionals with timelines and family obligations. However, we always want to ask! I can offer simple scripts to help get the conversation started. The worst they can do is not reply or decline, and that’s okay. We’re going for the 1-2 people who will offer the valuable insight you need. I believe many today also underestimate the power of interview questions through email, so busy professionals who would be happy to help can reply when they can. I've agreed to email responses when I knew I did not have time for a phone call, but I felt connected with the person or their career change goals and wanted to help.
You don’t have to know everything about your new field yet—showing curiosity, asking thoughtful questions, and demonstrating a willingness to learn can leave a positive impression. Another reminder, networking isn’t just about what others can do for you; it's about what you can offer. Building relationships helps uncover hidden opportunities and increase your chances of landing a job through personal connections.
3. Underestimating the Time and Effort Required
The Mistake:
Changing careers can be lengthy, and one common pitfall is underestimating the time and effort it will take. Many career changers assume that with their experience, they’ll quickly land a job in their new field. However, breaking into a new industry or role often requires significant time for learning, skill development, and networking. This is where a project plan or roadmap comes in.
How to Avoid It:
Plan for a longer-than-expected transition. Map out your career change in phases, similar to the Career Change Roadmap. The first phase might involve researching your new industry and networking. The second could be a clear picture of what to upskill or certifications you'll need to fill skill gaps. The third might be preparing your job search materials, and the fourth might be applying for roles and networking.
Set realistic expectations and give yourself the grace to make mistakes and learn from them along the way. Career changes aren’t linear, and setbacks can happen. A clear plan and timeline can keep you motivated, even when things take longer than expected.
4. Ignoring the Need for Professional Branding
The Mistake:
In today’s job market, especially for career changers, simply having a resume is no longer enough. Another thing to consider is that you are redefining your career, so redefining how you want to be perceived or your professional identity in the job market simply makes sense.
It is also crucial. In my career changes, I knew part of positioning myself was focusing on how I was perceived by the teams and hiring managers I wanted to join. Rather than being labeled as what I’ve been doing and not given an opportunity, I needed them to see me in their world. Failing to invest time in building a professional brand is a mistake that can cost you opportunities.
How to Avoid It:
Start by refining your professional brand. Consider what makes you unique and the value you bring to the table. Working with a coach who talks about and knows the subject will greatly simplify. Craft a value proposition that clearly defines who you are, what you’re looking for, and what you offer to your new industry. You will then use this to strategically craft your resume, LinkedIn profile, cover letters, and any portfolios or blogs you may want to create.
A strong professional brand helps potential employers or networking contacts understand not just what you’ve done but where you’re going. It shows you’re intentional about your career change and bringing something valuable to the new industry. Building an online presence (such as a blog or a well-curated LinkedIn profile) that showcases your expertise and enthusiasm for your new field will further solidify your position.
5. Skipping the Research
The Mistake:
Another mistake career changers often make is jumping into the job hunt without fully understanding the new industry they’re aiming to join. This lack of research can lead to misunderstandings about what the role entails or the most important skills, leaving career changers feeling unprepared or disappointed.
How to Avoid It:
Thorough research is crucial for a successful career change. Take time to dive deep into your new field. Read industry publications, attend webinars, and follow thought leaders on social media to learn and stay updated on trends and challenges. Follow companies in the industry you'd like to work for on LinkedIn. Join professional associations or groups can provide insider knowledge about industry expectations.
In addition to general industry research, make sure to research specific roles you’re interested in. Look at job descriptions to identify the most commonly required skills and qualifications. Speak with people currently in those roles to get a realistic sense of what the job involves on a daily basis and the challenges they face. This will allow you to approach your job search with a much clearer understanding of what’s expected and how you can meet those expectations.
6. Not Gaining New Skills
The Mistake:
Career changers often overlook the importance of developing new skills, assuming their past experience will be enough to make the transition. While transferable skills are crucial, every industry will have unique competencies and tools you’ll need to learn to compete and seem like a natural fit.
How to Avoid It:
Identify any skills gaps between your current abilities and the requirements of your new industry. Are there certifications you could obtain? Would an online course help you familiarize yourself with the tools? Remember, upskilling shows potential employers that you’re serious about your transition. However, you also want to invest your time and money in the right things and skills that qualify you for the right job. I've met many career changers taking certifications across different careers. That's one sure way to extend the time it will take to accomplish your goal.
Platforms like Coursera, LinkedIn Learning, or specialized industry courses can help you acquire these skills without returning to school full-time. Additionally, volunteer work, freelancing, or internships in your new field can be an excellent way to gain hands-on experience while transitioning.
Conclusion
Making a career change is exciting and challenging, and when you reach the finish line with a job offer, there is no better victory dance. By recognizing and avoiding these common mistakes, you can set yourself up for a success and a smoother transition.
If you’re a career changer interested in information on the Career Change Roadmap, send an email to angelle@afcareermarketing.com for more information.
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