Are you Afraid of a Career Change?

“For time and the world do not stand still. Change is the law of life. And those who look only to the past or the present are certain to miss the future.”
-John F. Kennedy

The familiar is always more comfortable. When it comes to careers, most people tend to get set in their ways. Even the thought of a career change  is enough to paralyze most job seekers with fear. They wrongfully assume that once you’ve been down a certain career path long enough, there’s no changing course. They make a big deal out of experience – or the “right kind” of experience – and pretend that they would never be qualified for a new career because they lack the right skills to make the change.

In reality, their fears couldn’t be more far from the truth. Here are three reasons why you can change careers:

You have transferable skills:The further along you are in your current career, the more likely it is that you possess the right skills for an entirely different career path. How can that be? Because everyone has transferable skills – whether you admit it or not. While some of your expertise will, of course, be highly specialized and industry specific, every worker has a set of “soft skills” that applies across industries. The longer you’ve been working, the more performance and problem solving skills you’ve developed.  Speaking of which…

You’re a solution to a problem: People want solutions, and you’re a solution to their problem. When it comes time for your interview, (and ultimately your new career path) you can rest a easier knowing you have all the marketing tools you need in front of you to really shine. You have a vibrant career history reflected through your resume (by now, you’ve updated your resume to include your transferable skills and knowledge) – you’re passionate about putting these skills to use in a new industry, (your achievements and experiences should reflect a results driven attitude), and you’re excited to bring a fresh outlook to the team (your a unique and forward thinking candidate – the best fit for the job!)

You’re a positive and friendly person: When it comes down to it, likability is a huge factor in any interviewer’s decision making process. As long as you put your best foot forward and keep a smile on your face, you’re bound to impress somebody. The worst thing you have to fear from an interview is rejection, and rejection isn’t permanent. The cornerstone of any career change is confidence – having confidence in yourself and showing the confidence to take a leap and try something new.