After spending some years in a job that does not give much satisfaction, you will know it is time to make a move. Which would you choose; a job or career change?
Changing careers is more challenging than you think.

Job search firms generally do not handle career changes. These firms market to those who wish to stay in the same function in the same industry. That is why people who decide to change their careers do not seek help from job search firms.

Many job changers expect prospective employers to give them a chance and hire them on faith. That is unrealistic. Most employers just do not want to waste the time and effort to do so. They are afraid that you may lose interest or discourage in the new area as soon as you are hired.

Prospective employers are also afraid that you know too little in the new area which will put your job at risk. As you do not have experience in the new area, you are an incompetent. Prospective employers do not want to take risks accepting job changers who cannot prove themselves yet.

What can you do in this circumstance?

Read more in Employment
« Create a Plan for a Layoff
The Amazing Secrets That Will Give You the Edge in Getting That Dream Job! »

Be persistent. Read all you can about the new industry. Get to know some people who are in the industry. Identify which of your skills can be transferred to the new industry. Take up some relevant courses or part time jobs related to the new industry. Whatever you decide; be persistent.

Job changing can take some time. You may even have to accept inappropriate jobs in between to support yourself on the way. However, do not forget you have a dream and an objective. It really takes effort to make a career change. So, never expect people to hire you on faith and hope.

New technologies are going to make old skills obsolete. New technologies are going to open up many new career fields for people who are really prepared and ready to change. You need to know what you are up against.

Moving on to a new and better position is not difficult; but it requires much work on your part. You need to be able to “position” yourself in the new role. Your prospective employers need to be able to see your skills and qualities that will benefit them and their organizations.

How do you “position” yourself to your prospective employers?

- Identify the skills and qualities needed for the position

Job advertisements from prospective organizations will give much information away. Trade magazines can be great help too. If that is not enough, you can get more information from job search firms.

- Check your background to see if you have the skills and qualities needed.

Spend a little time to ponder on this. Since you are changing a career, many skills you have already possessed are transferable. However, always be sure as this will help you to sell yourself in interviews.

- Write a summary on top of your resume

This is to “position” yourself to your prospective employers. Maybe you were told not to do so earlier, but as this is a career change, and you want to get the right job; this is the best way.

As you already have working experience, your prospective employers would really like to know what you have been doing, and how you can contribute to the new organization. They also expect that the skills, experience and qualities that you possess are transferable and you need very little training to start your new job.

- Sell yourself in interviews using the same summary

When your summary is prepared carefully, it tells others about your accomplishment. It should be able to sell your ability, experience and even personality. Be reminded to make sure that your resume supports your summary.

Thinking through your summary helps you to focus on your entire job hunt. You need to clarify the sales pitch you are going to use in interviews.

Regular resumes would not help a job changer. You have to reposition yourself to show how your ability, experience and personality fit what the prospective employers want. That is why you need to prepare a new resume with carefully thought summary.

Your resume can also include some activities you do outside your previous organization that would interest your prospective employers. This is to add value to your capability and personality.

Do you really need a summary? The answer is; without one, you are still being positioned by the last job you held. If you are serious about a career change, spend some time to plan how to write your summary.

When you, a job hunter wants to change industries, you must not let your most recent position in the former industry act as a handicap. You need to plan and rewrite your resume again and all references to the previous position or industry should be removed or minimized. State what you did generically so that your prospective employers do not see you as being tied to the previous position or industry.

Be reminded that what seemingly unrelated skills or experience you have from former positions may actually help you to get the new job you want. Sometimes you can even negotiate to do something for the organization “in exchange” for something you really want to do. Remember to negotiate it the correct way; do not get agitate if your suggestion is not accepted.

You can still move into a new industry using your past experience and old skills to get around. You do have to pick up new skills in the new job, but that would not be difficult. Indeed it will be less stressful as you are using old strengths while building new ones.

Of course, changing careers is not like changing jobs. You will be miserable if you do not fit into the new career or industry you have chosen. There will be other problems which you will encounter as you chase your dream job. Always remember that good jobs do last a lifetime.