The Secrets of Career-Changing Success

According to the Holmes-Rahe scale of stressful life events, losing or changing jobs is the eighth most stressful experience a person can have. Changing career paths, whether you're unemployed or simply not happy in your current position, can lead to worry and frustration--especially in an increasingly competitive job market.

That doesn't mean you shouldn't try it. When you seek fulfillment, put your talents to use, and follow your dreams, changing careers can be richly rewarding for both you and your new employer.

The Up Side of Changing Your Mind
In 2004, only 51 percent of American workers reported being very satisfied with their work. Research also shows that unsatisfied workers have higher rates of absenteeism and lower productivity. It behooves employers to make sure they have happy employees who want to be there.

Making a choice to embark on a new career path implies that you're willing to take a risk, and that your job satisfaction--and, ultimately, your productivity--are important to you. Those are qualities any employer should find desirable.

However, per employee, the costs of employee turnover are 25-30 percent of an individual employee's salary and benefits package. So employers may be hesitant to take a chance on someone with lots of passion and no experience, knowing that it could wind up costing them if you change your mind again later on. It's up to you to sell this career change as a win-win for you both.

Tips for Marketing Your Career Change to Prospective Employers

• Rethink your resume format. Instead of the chronological format, a functional resume might be better for career-changers. Functional resumes focus on your skills, not your previous employers and job titles. For example, under the Professional Experience heading, develop skill categories, like Marketing or Project Management, which are likely to transfer between industries. And when you're crafting that all-important cover letter, address your decision to change careers right up front; anticipate their questions and give them a reason to take a closer look at your resume.
• Demonstrate your commitment. Show employers you mean business by joining professional organizations, volunteering in the field, or attending trade shows or seminars. These things demonstrate that you're willing to go the extra mile to learn more.
• Get creative to get experience. Take every opportunity to gain experience in your chosen field. Enroll in college courses. Attend conferences. Or even take on additional responsibilities in your current job; for instance, if you're looking for a marketing job, maybe you could volunteer to organize a fundraiser for a nonprofit, or tackle an interoffice newsletter. Even if it's unpaid, this can help you build a resume and portfolio.
• Do your research. Talk the talk. Explore job listings and attend professional networking luncheons to learn about the jargon of the field; using this language in your resume and interactions with them shows employers that you speak their language and know what they need. Also, utilize the career departments at alumni colleges and universities.
  
• Let your passion shine. When you love your job and do it well, everybody wins. Don't be afraid to let that passion you have for this new field come across to employers. Let them see how that passion can lead to greater productivity and higher morale. In this way, career changing can truly be a win-win.

Take these tips to heart and act accordingly. Instead of being a high-stress moment in your life, changing careers could end up being exhilarating, fun, and profitable.