How to Be Strategic During a Career Transition

At some point in your career, you’re going to want to transition to another role. Your transition could be prompted by a new year, a desire for something bigger than your current role, or you could be seeking a less demanding job to prioritize your home. Either way, if you’re moving up, down, lateral, or seeking a completely new career, you have to do it strategically. If you think you’re ready to transition, here’s what you need to do.

BEFORE

Be Happy Where You Are

In my opinion, it’s really good to look for another job when you’re happy with what you’re doing. Doing so makes sure you’re not just trying to jump ship because someone upset you in the office. Worse case, you could end up in another crazy situation in a new place. If you really want a transition, try to look for something when you’re in a good space. When you do that, transitioning careers is not an emotional decision; it’s a sound one.

Apply and Interview for Another Job

I’ve been with my company for eight years and I like it. I have no intention of leaving soon, but a couple times a year, I’ll apply to other jobs. I’ll even take it a step further and interview for some jobs because I want to make sure my skills are still relevant. Interviewing also makes you more aware of how you are presenting your skills. You want your articulation to be fruitful enough that people will still hit you up after you decline a position. I want to be sure that if for whatever reason, I need to get another job, I’m prepared to interview.

Benchmark Your Skills Regularly

You don’t have to wait until you’re looking for a job to find out if you have the skillset needed for a new opportunity. Benchmarking your skills throughout the year is a much more proactive approach. Often times when you get into a situation where you have to leave or you’ve lost a job you’re shooting blind. You’re trying for the first time to see if you have what it takes to get into the opportunity that you want.

Try to Think Ahead

When you realize what new job you want, you should think about the job after that. Doing so will ensure you use your current job to get the skills that you need to get to that next step. I apply and interview for jobs all the time just to test the waters and see what’s out there. If you stay ready, you don’t have to get ready.

AFTER

Update Your Resume

My resume stays updated. At minimum, I update it twice a year. You won’t remember everything you’ve done throughout the year, so if you have a new project that yields a high ROI write it down. Even if that project doesn’t stay on your resume long, having a record of everything that you’ve done will help you in the long run. Jot down details about where the project originated, who your audience was, and what you accomplished over a specific amount of time. Making sure your resume is tight at all times will help you stay ready so you can stop calling your cousins and family or friends to ask if they have time to look at your resume. You always want to present your skillset at a high level of excellence and people gravitate toward resumes that clearly express your skillset or expertise.

Connect on LinkedIn

LinkedIn is literally the easiest way to talk to people you normally don’t have access to. It’s a great tool for networking and to make connections that are important. Every once in a while, I’ll reach out to someone on LinkedIn and say, “Hey, I really love what you’re doing” in a super noninvasive manner. I’ve reached out to CEOs on LinkedIn, Senior Directors, and had great success.

LinkedIn is also a great way to create a dialogue with recruiters. After an interview, I will go on LinkedIn to reintroduce myself. Before an interview, I will research a recruiter’s background so when we have a conversation, I’m not coming into it blind. The knowledge available to you on LinkedIn allows you to leverage career conversation differently. If you’re thinking about transitioning your career, go make a LinkedIn profile right now.

About The Author

Catherine L. Wheeler is passionate about developing healthy leaders, organizations, and internal teams. Visit TheOnlineCareerStore.com for her customized resume templates and professional resources to help you stand out as a professional.