Are you considering a career change? If so, you’ve probably looked at job descriptions and felt discouraged by the education or professional experience listed.
While it’s true that certain professions have strict guidelines for accreditation that cannot be skipped, you might be surprised at just how many assets you already have that cross over into a new field. In fact, some employers take the hiring strategy of onboarding people who are the right cultural fit for an organization, rather than emphasizing experience with a particular skillset.
Here are 4 reasons you could get hired even though you don’t have the perfect background for a job.
1) Reliability
The ability to show up consistently and follow-through with assignments is the cornerstone of any working relationship. If you have any experience with showing up to work every day, whether for a summer job or for a decade long career in another industry, you have a skillset that employers want. The hiring process is time consuming and expensive from the employer’s perspective. They want people who will be conscientious and diligent in their work.
2) Attitude
We all spend a lot of time at work, and we’d prefer to spend that time with people who have a good attitude. This could mean being friendly, respectful, or considerate. A ‘can do’ attitude is a wonderful asset that matters for any job or position in the world.
3) Engagement
If you are considering a career change into a new area, then you likely have a strong reason for wanting to make that change. Your engagement with the new field and your interest in it is something that is a huge benefit for you. Employers want people who want to do the work that they have to offer. Specific skills can be trained, but the underlying enthusiasm for the work resides with the individual.
4) Willingness to Learn
Most employers recognize that there will be a training period involved with bringing on someone who does not have specific industry experience. After all, every manager once started out in the exact same place of not knowing exactly what was going on. Demonstrating a willingness, or even eagerness, to go through that learning process will carry you through that initial learning curve.
I once heard a career advisor say “Don’t turn down the job that you haven’t been offered.” In other words, don’t assume that you can’t get a job without trying. If you have the aforementioned four elements, you already have the majority of what you need to succeed in a new field.
Are you in a hiring position? What do you look for in a candidate? Or, have you made a career change? What do you think helped you to succeed in entering a new field? Share your comments below!
Hi Alison,
Great article and indeed, these are the key elements for getting a job. However, how one gets to an interview and show all these good elements if hiring managers don’t even consider inviting people from an unrelated background to an interview?
Great question Gabriela! I think the most important answer is to network, network, network. Go to events that are catering to professionals in your desired industry. Look for folks who are in your extended network who are either working in the field you’re interested in or who may have connections. Stand out by showing up and building real world relationships with relevant people. Swap the mentality from ‘they’re not looking at me’ to ‘what can I do to be more visible?’ It’s extra work, but it’s effective.
Hi Alison,
Really enlightening. I did not know I have so many assets. You are right when you say that we get discouraged by the experience and/or education listed. This article has made me realize I do have assets and if an employer is looking for anything over and above just education or experience, I am a contender for the job.
Thanks
Pallavi
So glad it was helpful to you Pallavi!