by Caroline Levchuck
hotjobs.yahoo.com
So you've identified the new career that's right for you. Now you need to start making the switch.
In the third part of our series on changing careers, Richard Bolles, the author of "What Color Is Your Parachute? 2003: A Practical Manual for Job-Hunters and Career-Changers," offers strategies for starting a career change.
Bolles advises talking to at least five people who are successful in the field you want to pursue.
"There are four simple questions you need to ask [these people]," said Bolles in an interview with Yahoo! HotJobs.
Once you've gotten answers to these questions, you're on your way.
The Best of Times
When talking to someone in your desired industry, the first question a career changer should ask is "What do you like best about your job?", advised Bolles.
This question serves two purposes.
First, you learn about the rewards and advantages of the job.
Second, you have an opportunity to become familiar with the industry vocabulary. People will speak enthusiastically about their job's rewards, and you can pick up essential jargon by listening.
The information you collect here becomes especially helpful for future job interviews.
"If you've [spoken to] enough people, you start to speak the language they speak. When you go for an interview for a job, you speak as an insider instead of an outsider," said Bolles.
The Worst of Times
The second question that a career changer should ask someone in their target industry is "What do you like least about your job?," advised Bolles.
"You can find out where the land mines are hidden," said Bolles.
This question helps you identify the job's challenges and anticipate potential pitfalls. It will also help you maintain realistic expectations. For example, you might discover that a job involves more administrative work than you'd like, or that it requires more travel than you're willing to do.
"That's where the revelations come from," said Bolles.
Getting Out of the Gate
The third question that a career changer should ask someone in their desired industry is "How did you get into this [field]?," recommended Bolles.
"That's where the fascinating stories lie," said Bolles.
These stories give you essential insight into the career-change process.
"[They] are useful because they can give you new ideas on how to break into a field, as well as give you encouragement that it IS possible," said Bolles.
You might mistakenly believe that you need a degree or special knowledge to be successful in your chosen field. But you can learn that there are many different ways to get started, said Bolles.
Referrals
The fourth question that a career changer should ask someone in their target industry is "Can you suggest any other people I can talk to in the field?," advised Bolles.
"Most likely they do know people [in the industry]," said Bolles.
Bolles recommended that you ask the person if they will call the referral in advance for you.
"[An advance call] often kicks open a door that might be shut. It's [the referral's] friend who's called for you, instead of a stranger. That's how you get in the door," said Bolles.
If your referrer won't or can't make the initial contact, ask if you can mention their name when contacting the referral.
Always try to get the names of at least two referrals for informational interviews. And always send a thank-you note to everyone who was kind enough to meet with you.
hotjobs.yahoo.com
So you've identified the new career that's right for you. Now you need to start making the switch.
In the third part of our series on changing careers, Richard Bolles, the author of "What Color Is Your Parachute? 2003: A Practical Manual for Job-Hunters and Career-Changers," offers strategies for starting a career change.
Bolles advises talking to at least five people who are successful in the field you want to pursue.
"There are four simple questions you need to ask [these people]," said Bolles in an interview with Yahoo! HotJobs.
Once you've gotten answers to these questions, you're on your way.
The Best of Times
When talking to someone in your desired industry, the first question a career changer should ask is "What do you like best about your job?", advised Bolles.
This question serves two purposes.
First, you learn about the rewards and advantages of the job.
Second, you have an opportunity to become familiar with the industry vocabulary. People will speak enthusiastically about their job's rewards, and you can pick up essential jargon by listening.
The information you collect here becomes especially helpful for future job interviews.
"If you've [spoken to] enough people, you start to speak the language they speak. When you go for an interview for a job, you speak as an insider instead of an outsider," said Bolles.
The Worst of Times
The second question that a career changer should ask someone in their target industry is "What do you like least about your job?," advised Bolles.
"You can find out where the land mines are hidden," said Bolles.
This question helps you identify the job's challenges and anticipate potential pitfalls. It will also help you maintain realistic expectations. For example, you might discover that a job involves more administrative work than you'd like, or that it requires more travel than you're willing to do.
"That's where the revelations come from," said Bolles.
Getting Out of the Gate
The third question that a career changer should ask someone in their desired industry is "How did you get into this [field]?," recommended Bolles.
"That's where the fascinating stories lie," said Bolles.
These stories give you essential insight into the career-change process.
"[They] are useful because they can give you new ideas on how to break into a field, as well as give you encouragement that it IS possible," said Bolles.
You might mistakenly believe that you need a degree or special knowledge to be successful in your chosen field. But you can learn that there are many different ways to get started, said Bolles.
Referrals
The fourth question that a career changer should ask someone in their target industry is "Can you suggest any other people I can talk to in the field?," advised Bolles.
"Most likely they do know people [in the industry]," said Bolles.
Bolles recommended that you ask the person if they will call the referral in advance for you.
"[An advance call] often kicks open a door that might be shut. It's [the referral's] friend who's called for you, instead of a stranger. That's how you get in the door," said Bolles.
If your referrer won't or can't make the initial contact, ask if you can mention their name when contacting the referral.
Always try to get the names of at least two referrals for informational interviews. And always send a thank-you note to everyone who was kind enough to meet with you.
Job Info , Jobs Sources , Employment
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