Changing Careers With No Relevant Experience

Changing careers with no relevant experience can seem daunting. No matter your career path, there will be many others with more experience. This can make breaking into any industry intimidating.

If you're currently in this situation, don't give up hope. There are steps you can take to make changing careers successful. Yes, even without prior experience. We'll give you all the information you need to achieve Career Success at this crucial stage.

Why Is Changing Careers With No Relevant Experience Hard?

Making a career change can take months and sometimes even years. This is especially the case if the career changer is entering a completely new field. And double especially if they have no experience. But why is the lack of experience such a big hindrance?

Lack of Knowledge

It might seem SO obvious, but it makes sense. Zero experience in a career field often means you don't have knowledge about the industry. The job seeker is often unaware of changing trends in the field. They're often lost on current industry developments.

Being green in a field also means you may have little grasp of the key terms experts in the industry use. Such information is essential for communicating with colleagues and superiors. Employers are wary of such gaps.

No Professional References

Interviewers will usually ask for references who can attest to your qualifications. They're interested in verifying your experience in the industry. You might struggle to find someone to vouch for you.

If employers can't verify your background and skills, it's a huge disadvantage. They're more likely to give other job seekers with experience priority.

No Professional Network

Professional connections are key to career success. Changing careers with no relevant experience? It's likely you hardly know anyone in the field. This might hold you back, as networking opportunities are hard to come by.

A professional network helps you learn about new opportunities. It can even help you get your foot in the door with interviews and job offers. You miss out on such benefits if you’re new to the industry.

Competition From Experienced Professionals

It’s likely you're up against candidates who've worked in the field for years. They have networks, references, and knowledge that you don't. They can prove their suitability for a job with evidence.

Experienced professionals have already established themselves in the field. Thus, employers are more likely to rank them over you.

Tips for Making a Career Change

Changing careers with no relevant experience can seem intimidating. But it's not impossible to do!

In fact, people do it all the time. With the right approach and attitude, you can make your career shift successful. Read on to find out how.

Tell Your Story

A crucial part of changing careers is applying for jobs and attending interviews. This is your opportunity to help recruiters and employers notice you. Showcase the skills and knowledge that make you stand out from other applicants.

The best way to do this is by telling your story. Explain why changing careers was important to you and how it ties into your values and life goals. Show employers how hardworking and motivated you are to make the shift.

Take your potential employers through your career journey. Help them see the stage you're at in your career journey. Establish a connection with them so that they want to get involved in the next phase of your career.

Leverage Your Transferable Skills

Changing careers can be a natural progression. Show off the transferable skills that you've developed in prior roles or fields of study. Think about those skills and then focus on how they can apply in different contexts. This will give recruiters an idea of what kind of value you bring to their organization. Even without direct relevant experience, you have something to offer.

For example, you may be thinking of breaking into a career in tech sales. Think about what skills from your previous jobs could be transferable. Skills like customer relations, communication, and problem-solving might come in handy.

You can also think of any volunteer work and hobbies you have. What skills have you developed there? If you're changing careers from a teaching role to marketing, your community work may give you an edge!

Invest in Your Education

Changing careers may require you to pick up new skills and knowledge. Investing in your education is one of the best ways to do this. It shows potential employers that you're committed to making a career shift.

Look for online courses, webinars, and workshops. Anything that can help build your understanding of the new field. This shows recruiters you're serious about changing careers. And that you have the necessary skills for it.

Show That You’re Coachable

Many employers are willing to take a chance on someone with no experience if they’re coachable. Are you committed to learning? Do you have the motivation and drive to succeed in a new field?

Highlight specific examples that show your coachable nature. For example, have you taken any courses or seminars to gain more knowledge in the field? Have you done internships or apprenticeships in your chosen area? Prove that you take initiative and are willing to learn!

Take On Freelance Assignments

An estimated 70.4 million Americans now work freelance. Doing so at this phase in your career may provide the boost you need.

Freelance work is a great way for you to gain experience and build your portfolio in the changing field. You can do this online or even in your local area.

Look for freelance opportunities related to your changing career. You can also reach out to professionals in the field and ask if they need any help with their projects or tasks. This will give you real-world experience and help you build your knowledge base.

Network

Networking is essential for career success. It's even more so when changing careers with no relevant experience.

Research potential mentors who could help you transition into your desired position. Reach out to them and explain why changing careers is important to you. Show them how they could help you achieve your goal.

Attend conferences related to your new field of interest. Join online communities and discussion boards where industry professionals are talking. Show that you're already an active part of the community and have a good understanding of the field.

Be Flexible With Your Salary Expectations

Changing careers can also mean changing your salary expectations. You don't want to sell yourself short. But you know that changing careers means starting a new journey. This often means earning less than what you were making in your previous job.

Be realistic about your salary expectations when changing careers with no experience. Talk to recruiters and employers to get an idea of the salary range for your new career. Consider taking a pay cut if it will help you gain experience.

You can always negotiate a higher salary later on once you’ve gained more experience in that field.

Make a Career Transition Plan

You want to stay focused and organized throughout the changing process. Have a timeline that outlines your goals and milestones. Outline the steps you need to take to get there. And understand that setbacks will happen.

Your plan should include the steps you’ll be taking to gain experience in your changing field. It should also include any courses you'll need to take to gain more skills and knowledge.

Creating a plan will help keep your changing process organized and on track. It will also give you something tangible to refer to when needed.

Get Professional Help

A career coach can provide valuable insight and guidance throughout the changing process. They can also give you personalized advice based on your individual situation.

Look for mentors who have experience in the field you're changing into. They can provide you with valuable information and help you make better decisions.

Don’t Give Up

It may take some time before you start seeing results from changing careers. They may turn you down many times before you land a new position.

Persistence is key to career success, especially when changing careers with no experience. Follow up on leads, apply to more jobs, and keep networking. Use any feedback you get from recruiters or employers as an opportunity to improve!

Making a Successful Career Change With Uvaro

Changing careers with no relevant experience is possible and within reach! With hard work, dedication, and a positive attitude, it can even be an exciting journey. And if you need help figuring out where to start, Uvaro is here to help.

We're a remote learning community designed to help you achieve Career Success.Find out how we can help you make your career transition a success. Download our Career Success Catalog today.