Working in your chosen industry is a rewarding feeling for most people until you realize that you are not as fulfilled as you once were. This scenario happens to more people than you may think, especially if the job you are in has you feeling overwhelmed.

More and more people are choosing to leave the comfort of the careers they currently hold to seek out new opportunities. Facing the unknown can be both exciting and overwhelming, primarily if you have never worked in the industry you are interested in.

Wondering how you can build a successful career in a new industry? Keep reading to find out.

What Causes People to Change Industries?

The decision to change careers after you have been in an industry for some time can be both a blessing and a daunting task. This is especially true if you spent many years honing your craft and building rapport within your industry.

Many people get to the point in their careers where they feel the need for a change. Whether they feel stuck in a job that has no advancement opportunities or are just feeling burned out, a career change may be the best move to make.

For some people, having the opportunity to work in their chosen field is a dream come true until they feel the need for more. This typically happens because the chosen job has no opportunity for advancement, which can make you feel stuck.

Other people hunker down into their careers so much that they do not realize that they are at work more than they are at home. When this happens, you can begin to feel burned out, which can make you want to leave the job to find something new.

The bottom line is that many people choose to change careers for a wide variety of reasons. No matter what the reason, you should take the time to explore the reasons and options that may be available to you.

Is it Possible to Change Industries Without Experience?

Depending on the industry you want to work in, you may need to gain more experience before you can land the job of your dreams. Many industries require specialized training or experience before you can dive in. 

There are, however, ways to get the experience you need to work in the industry you have chosen. Keep in mind that this may mean that you have to take a slight pay cut temporarily to get to where you want to go.

If you do not mind working at an entry-level position and working your way up in a new industry, then there is usually no requirement for experience. This also means that you are starting from scratch, and it may take some time to move up.

One thing you should keep in mind is that when changing industries, you may be able to leverage your current skills in a new job. For example, if you are wanting to leave your current career as a teacher, you can use your educational knowledge to gain a job as a job trainer for a corporation.

How Do You Know It is Time to Change Careers?

For most people, knowing that it is time to change careers is not as easy as it is for others. This is especially true if you have worked for years in your job and/or industry.

Studies show that there are typically tell-tale signs to indicate that you should be looking for a new career. While many of these signs can be chalked up to temporary angst, many of them can cause you to feel overwhelmed and burn you out over time.

Here are a few of the most common signs you should look for when determining whether or not it is time to change your career:

Boredom 

While everyone experiences boredom at work at some point in their career, extreme boredom can be a sign of something else. This is typically the case if you find yourself daily feeling like you would rather be somewhere else and are not finding any joy at your current job.

Stress 

Most people understand that sometimes stress is a part of life, especially if you are having to deal with deadlines. However, when the stresses of the job get to be overwhelming and you are stressed more than not, it may be a sign that you need a change.

Feeling Stuck 

There is nothing worse than being in a position where you know there is nowhere else to go. This typically happens when there are no advancement opportunities and can make you feel like you are going to be stuck doing the same thing for the rest of your life.

Money 

When it comes down to the bottom line, many people begin to realize that they are only staying in their job because the money and benefits are so good. While you have to ensure that you can provide for yourself and your family, it is not a reason to stay in a job that does not bring you joy.

Value 

Most likely, when you first started your current job, you may have felt a passion for what you do. However, over time, some people can feel that they are no longer passionate about the work, and it shows through their lack of interest in the company as a whole.

Overall, it is important to keep an eye out for these and other signs that it may be time for you to find another career. 

How Can You Build a Career in a New Industry Successfully?

Building a career in a new industry can be done successfully if you are willing to do the work it takes to emerge yourself into the process. This typically means that you are not going to be able to just slide into a new position without first doing some leg work. 

Research shows that to successfully build a career in a new industry, you first need to do some work on your end to make the change. In most cases, this means ensuring that you have some idea of the direction you want to go.

Here are some steps that you should follow to ensure that you are stepping into your new industry with your eyes wide open:

1. Research the Possibilities

If you are unsure which industry you want to move into, you may need to spend some time researching the options. To do this successfully, you should take into consideration the skills that you have in your current job.

Making a list of what you are bringing to the table can help guide you to another industry that can use your skills and expertise. You should not be intimidated by industries that you have never thought of going into during your search.

2. Know That You are in Charge of Your Career

When you decide that you are ready to make a career change, you need to understand that you are the one that has to make it happen. For many people, this is the hardest part of changing careers since they have relied on supervisors or managers to guide them in their current jobs.

Knowing that it is time to make a career change is half the battle. You need to realize that you are in charge of your next moves, which means that you should not settle into something if it does not feel right.

3. Put Yourself Out There

There is no other way to make a change than just putting yourself out there. While you may not be sure of what industry you want to work in, networking is one of the best ways to discover new interests.

The best thing you can do for yourself in this situation is to join various networking groups either online or in person. Doing this can lead you to opportunities that you never even thought of before but may be the perfect fit for you.

4. If You Cannot Find the Industry You Want, Create it

Industries exist because someone along the way chose to take a chance and step outside of their comfort zone. This typically happens when someone has an idea that may be a spin-off of what they currently do or something entirely new.

If you cannot find the industry that fits your passion, drive, and ideas, you may have to consider the possibility of creating it. Some of the most successful people in the world are in their chosen careers because they were brave enough to step outside of the norm and create something new.

While there are most likely to be more ways to build a career in a new industry than what is listed here, these are some of the most commonly used. Changing careers should never be an on-the-fly decision but a well-thought-out one that has a plan to back it up.

Tips for Searching for a Job in a New Industry

When it comes to searching for a job in a new industry, the thought can be somewhat overwhelming, especially if you have been out of the job search for some time. Knowing how to jump back in to find the job best for you can be daunting.

Check out these helpful tips that you should keep in mind when searching for a job in a new industry:

1. Do Your Research 

Whether you know the field you wish to pursue or not, research is power. You should begin by making a list of the various industries and skills that are required for the various jobs.

2. Find a Support Network 

Changing careers can be overwhelming, which means that you should have a support network backing you up. This can include people that are currently in your life or reaching out to various groups of like-minded people so you can bounce ideas off of them.

3. Make a List of Your Transferable Skills

You most likely have many skills that are transferable to other industries if you have worked for any length of time. Making a list of the most commonly transferable skills can help you to narrow down your options for industries and even jobs.

4. Change Up Your Resume 

Since you are looking for a career change in a new industry, it only makes sense to give your resume a refresher. Taking the skills, you deemed to be most transferable and adding them to your resume will help show your qualifications for the new job prospect.

5. Learn New Skills 

If you are looking to change your career to a new industry, there may be skills that are required that you need to learn. Do not be afraid to take on the challenge of learning new skills and then adding them to your resume.

While this is not an exhaustive list of the various tips you should keep in mind when changing industries, it certainly is enough to get you started. The most important thing you should keep in mind about changing careers is that it may not be easy in the beginning, but if you stick with it it can pay off in the long run.

What You Should Know About Starting a New Career 

Starting a career in a new industry is not the easiest thing to do, especially if you spent much of your time in a completely different industry. Depending on the position you are put into in your new career, there are some things you should know as you are getting started, especially if you are in a supervisory position.

1. Don’t Rush the Process

Learning a new job can be difficult enough but it can be even more so when you are changing industries entirely. Make sure you are taking the time to learn not only the job at hand but also the company and industry as a whole.

2. Start by Building Relationships

This concept is especially important if you are in a managerial position. Learning the various personalities you will be working with can make the difference between being accepted in your role and fighting a losing battle.

3. Get to Know the Workflow

No matter what position you are in, you should get to know how the work flows from one position to another. This can keep you from stepping on the toes of others in the workplace.

Ready to Build a Career in a New Industry?

If you are ready to start building your career in a new industry, the tips and strategies listed above should give you the push you need. Keep in mind that it is completely up to you to make the move but also realize that you may have to push the feeling of imposter syndrome aside to get the success you are looking for.