Career Change: Your First Interview
So you’ve finally decided to change careers after careful thought and consideration. Good for you! The only problem in job hunting is that you’re going against applicants who have spent a good majority of their years in this field, and you would just be starting out. How can you land that first interview? Here are some tips that you can use (hat tip to this Jobfox scam article for the ideas).
Use social networking. Facebook and Twitter have millions and millions of users, thus being great sources for job openings. If you are planning to look for potential employers and headhunters using these tools, make sure that you keep your social media profile as professional as possible. Since they will gain access to your photos and comments, make sure that you remove any uncompromising pictures that can influence their perception of you.
Try online search sites. Have you ever heard of the professional network LinkedIn? Creating a professional online profile will also help other people take notice. Being able to join the discussion forums and threads will be a plus. It will help the hiring managers get a feel of who you are, so your profile should represent you well!
Consider internships. If you’re still not confident about getting hired for a first job in your new career, you can also opt to be assigned as an intern first. In that way, it will give us an idea of the ins and outs in the industry. Majority of these internships are free, so do not expect them to offer a salary that can be comparable to your most recent job.
Evaluate your network. Your network could be your university professor or your former boss. You may also run into friends that work in the industry you chose. Sending out emails to potential employers will also work, just make sure that you are able to write an effective cover letter that highlights why you wanted to change careers. Being able to do all that can definitely work to your advantage.
