Thursday, March 15, 2012

Should You Switch Careers?

By Kay Dalton


Regularly, executive search firms come across people who decided it's time to switch careers. There was a time where you chose your profession and stuck with it until retirement and many people still follow that path. An increasing number of people, however are deciding to give up their first choice and try something new. While others move their skills to a new sectors, there are those who move to a new country or explore new skills.

Do you think you can convince an executive search agency that it's all for the best if you switch careers? Can you show them that you haven't lost your abilities?

Switching careers is a bold and brave move. It can affect your income, your working hours and even where you live. People have different opinions about this and this decision is not taken lightly. If you take a career break to travel or to study you should be prepared to turn that experience into positive ways you can contribute to your new company.

The right candidates for the job is what executive search firms are looking for. If you have switched careers or taken a break and want to sign on with an executive search firm, then it's a good idea to make an appointment to go and see them. Doing this will give you the chance to explain to the consultant why you took some time off or why you decided to switch careers. Whatever your experience, you should be able to use elements of it to illustrate how you could be valuable to a company in a senior position.

For example, you have better communication and diplomacy skills if you've been volunteering for a charity and working in Africa. Or you can illustrate how you managed the building project you're involved in and how you got people to work together as a team. The things you've learned can still be applied to any situation even if sorting out a problem in the business area is not the same as building a school.

The things you've learned that could benefit their clients is what executive search firms are interested in knowing. It could be that your career switch gives the client exactly what they're looking for. It's up to you to turn it into the positives that could win you your next job.




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