{"id":3409,"date":"2021-05-07T12:53:11","date_gmt":"2021-05-07T12:53:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.iese.edu\/standout\/?p=3409"},"modified":"2024-03-04T09:48:46","modified_gmt":"2024-03-04T09:48:46","slug":"changing-sector-mid-career","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.iese.edu\/standout\/changing-sector-mid-career\/","title":{"rendered":"Changing sectors mid-career? Yes, it\u2019s possible"},"content":{"rendered":"

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css_animation=”bottom-to-top”]Have you been feeling stuck for a long time, like you\u2019ve reached the height of where you can aspire already? You want to take a step in another direction, take on new challenges, but you wonder whether after 15 or 20 years working, it\u2019s too late to reinvent yourself. Changing sectors<\/strong> at this time sounds intimidating, but nothing is further from the truth. Keep reading our tips on how to embark on a brand new professional adventure.<\/p>\n

Changing<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span>careers. From crisis to opportunity<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/b><\/h2>\n

Changing careers in adulthood can seem like a leap into a void. Not surprisingly, you’ve spent half your life making decisions in a certain direction. However, you\u2019re not the same person you were when you were 18 years old just starting out on your professional journey. So, don\u2019t worry; feeling you need a change<\/strong> is not at all strange. And don\u2019t forget: whatever the new path you embark down, experience is your ally<\/strong>. No one can take away what you\u2019ve already done and built on.<\/p>\n

Reflect<\/strong><\/h3>\n

First of all, you have to determine just how exactly you want to reinvent yourself<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Maybe you want to take advantage of all that accumulated experience<\/strong> to turn it into something new and make it profitable, maintaining and enhancing the part you liked the most about your former career. Or perhaps you\u2019re looking for something more disruptive, a new profession<\/strong>, in response to feelings of a frustrated vocation you never explored or some special skill you cultivated over the years. In any case, nobody starts a process of reinventing themselves professionally aiming to wind up in a job they don\u2019t like. This process indisputably implies having the conviction that it will be for the better<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Analyze yourself and analyze the market<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Analyze your strengths and weaknesses<\/strong> as a professional. If you think about the work you\u2019ve done up until now, you\u2019ll be able to identify the type of tasks that you\u2019re best at, those that are a struggle for you, and also, those that you liked the most and the least. Also analyze your profile: competencies, skills, personality, values and interests. Your experience and knowledge<\/strong> have strong value.<\/p>\n

When you\u2019ve defined your profile and the type of work you want to do, start researching where you can exercise this new role. This way, you\u2019ll be sure to balance your aspirations with the market demand, keeping in mind that nowadays many sectors are enriched by \u201cexternal personnel\u201d, which give them more diverse teams, and yield more innovative results. Fundamental skills<\/strong> such as the ability to influence, communicate and problem solve are transferable to any industry.<\/p>\n

Work on your personal brand and seek help<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Take care of your personal brand. What makes you different and how you can communicate this to the world<\/strong> is, without a doubt, the first thing you should work on. And don\u2019t be fooled: it takes time, strategy and dedication<\/strong>. Professional networks like LinkedIn are a great showcase to make yourself known, but you should always bet on content that adds value and differentiates you. Also, consider hiring a coach<\/strong> to provide you with advice and objectivity, help you develop your virtues and minimize your weaker points.<\/p>\n

Know all the benefits of executive coaching<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n

Expand your network and start selling yourself<\/strong><\/h3>\n

It\u2019s very important that you also identify who\u2019s going to accompany you<\/strong> and facilitate this career transformation that you long for. First of all, take advantage of all those relationships that you have established throughout your career and think about how they can help you achieve your new goal. But above all, plan how you\u2019re going to interact with those new people and companies in the sector you want to break into: sign up for events, connect with new contacts via LinkedIn, interact with them… Networking<\/strong>, both personal and virtual, is essential to get closer to the sector you\u2019re looking to transition into. Read <\/span>5 tips for networking in times of crisis<\/a>.<\/strong>[\/vc_column_text]

<\/div>