Page 8 - Career-Transitions-Seven-Steps-06-20-2017a

Second, they often provide annual reports and industry analyses such
as employment and salary data, emerging growth areas, and hot career
paths. Third, many professional associations have career content that can
help you understand how your existing skills and experience line up with
those of your target jobs and employers.
Volunteer. If the work you’re interested in lends itself to volunteer
opportunities (and you have the time in your schedule), volunteering is one
of the most effective ways to explore your target career change. You have
an opportunity to “try on” the work to see if it’s really what you want to do
before making a change, while also developing relevant skills you can add
to your resume, building your network of connections in your new area,
and building your professional reputation as a passionate and dedicated
individual in your target field.

Temp. If you’ve already left your previous job and are now in the midst
of transitioning to your new career focus, working a temporary job in your
new area, or “temping,” can be a great foot-in-the-door move. Similar to
volunteering, it can help you not only polish skills of interest to potential
employers but also help build your network and visibility within the area
you’d like to transition to.
In addition, temporary work can also provide you with opportunities to:

• try out different types of work to get a first-hand sense of pros and
cons;

• get to know potential employers, and have an opportunity to
dazzle them as a temp before you approach them for a permanent
position – essentially positioning yourself as a known, and
valuable, commodity; and

• begin building a portfolio of projects and accomplishments to
highlight in interviews.

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