3 Overlooked Strengths that Career Changers can tap into 💪
You got the goods, learn how to use em!
If you’re not ready for it, a transition into tech can be brutal.
The fast pace, wondering how to get noticed and many other struggles can become obstacles ❌ that seem you can’t get past. Yet - another way to view the transition is a journey where you are constantly 📚 learning, and constantly exploring 🌱 how to navigate a fast-paced industry like tech.
Most career changers have this in common - an interest in continuous learning and career growth 🚀.
This attitude is especially important because switching from a well-known career you’ve built up for years into a new industry like tech requires constantly taking in new information. Also, the transition takes perseverance - quite a lot of it.
Switching into tech may be prompted by lifestyle changes or interest in higher income, all important elements to consider when choosing to move into tech. These elements are very attractive and can be the main reason you are changing careers. Or maybe you are looking for a better work-life balance, a more stimulating work environment, or maybe all these reasons combined.
At the end of the day, no matter your reason for moving into tech, if you want to land a job in tech, learn to leverage your strengths to land that new role.
📮 Build relationships within your current network
Yes, your current network.
People you know from your previous work, family, friends, current co-workers, anyone that is available to you to reach out and start a conversation with. Ask them if they know someone in tech or if they are in tech, ask if their companies are hiring - if not, ask for intro. Always ask for intros to other people.
🔄 Understand your transferable skills
You may be new to tech, but you’re not new to the professional world.
Study job descriptions, and you’ll start to find a lot of similarities. Phrases like collaboration, communication, teamwork, and other common communication skills related to working with humans are necessary in ANY industry, not just tech. Your job is to clearly communicate your career story to share how your previous work is just as relevant to the current role in tech, as it was your past career. Learn to recognize and talk about your transferable skills.
⭐️ Show your personality and enthusiasm
Hiring is a complicated decision.
Most of the time hiring is done in teams that evaluate candidates on skills and culture fit. What else goes into hiring? Elements like truly connecting with someone during a conversation, showing up with energy and enthusiasm, asking specific questions, and more.
While hiring can seem black and white, it’s a complicated process where a group of people decides who they want to bring on as a new team member. Wouldn’t you want to hire someone with the right skills AND you liked as a person? Most hiring teams would.
The key is to BE YOURSELF, to let your personality shine through, even if you are feeling a bit awkward and not familiar with everything you are being asked.
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