If “The Great Resignation” has you considering a career change, you’re certainly not alone. But, it can be challenging to apply for jobs in a new industry or job function when your experiences and brand don’t align. Here are a few tricks you can use during your job search to rebrand yourself for a career transition.
Write a blog or two
Once you have become an expert in your new desired career, you need to show it off. Since your work history doesn’t allow that, you must create a platform for your newly acquired knowledge. LinkedIn is a great place to publish articles for free, and it gives you exposure on the job search site. It doesn’t have to be anything in-depth. Simply pick a topic you’re passionate about, and share your opinions and knowledge. This is a great way to highlight your expertise.
Create a fake project to show off your new skills
Are you itching to get your hands on a project related to your new career path? Don’t wait for a job to come along; create a project yourself! Whether it’s a faux marketing campaign, coding sample, or structural design, just get started. Treat it just like you would a project for work, but you’re in control of the content and deadlines. Again, choose something you’re passionate about and have fun with it! Since you are in the driver’s seat, you want it to reflect your absolute best and let your dedication to this new career shine through. Additionally, this will show how motivated you are to excel in this new role and the level of commitment you would bring should they hire you.
Create a personal website
Head to a user-friendly website builder like Squarespace or Wix to build your own personal website. This should include the classic job seeker materials such as your resume and portfolio, but you can also brand it specifically for your transition. Prominently feature new certifications you’ve acquired or classes you’ve taken. Craft a FAQ page that addresses gaps or lack of experience. Now, you can link to your new think pieces and self-driven projects to demonstrate your skills.
When you’re transitioning to a new career, you need to rebrand yourself. Try implementing these three tricks for rebranding yourself for a career transition, and you’ll be on your way to a new job in no time! If you’re considering a career switch to a STEM role, read more about that transition here.
