How to Address Concerns About a Career Change During an Interview was originally published on Ivy Exec.
Changing careers is exciting since it presents new learning opportunities and creates room for growth. But you could worry that recruiters may be unwilling to hire you. After all, they may feel that you don’t have enough experience in the field. Some may also think that you’ll change your mind and resign after a short time.
It’s normal for hiring managers to have concerns about job seekers who change careers. So, it’s important to determine how to address their worries to secure your dream job.
Here are some pointers.
☑ Disclose Your Motivation
People often change careers because they want something that excites them. Others do it to be in a position of influence and make more money. A career change can also occur due to newly discovered talents or interests.
When searching for a job, many potential employers will wonder why you changed careers. Some may ask about the reason during interviews, while others won’t.
Whether the topic of career change comes up or not, it’s always ideal to help recruiters understand your decision. You don’t have to explain why you left your other career. Just hint why you feel the new one is more suitable.
Talking about your motivation for career change helps potential employers see that you thought about the decision. This can help convince those who felt you did it on a whim to hire you. Besides, it proves you are strategic and focused on your personal goals.
☑ Talk About Your Transferable Skills
Transferable skills allow you to be competent across different industries and roles. Even if you have limited experience, you can still be efficient if you have relevant skills. If a recruiter has concerns about your career change, convince them to hire you by discussing transferable skills.
Read the job description to determine which capabilities are most needed. Then, identify the abilities that will make you an asset in the new company. For example, you can highlight your management and leadership skills if you led projects in your past workplace. Let the recruiter know how you can apply such skills in your new role.
Other transferable skills you can mention include:
- Problem-solving
- Innovativeness
- Adaptability
- Critical thinking
- Active listening
While mentioning your transferable skills is a good way to address career change concerns, it’s great to have examples. Describe instances where you applied these skills and explain how they helped in past roles. For example, you can talk about a problem that occurred and explain how you adapted to the change or solved the issues.
☑ Address Concerns About Your Work Experience
Once you change careers, many recruiters will raise concerns about your work experience. They may worry that you will slow down their teams, especially if you are interviewing for a senior position. Further, they may feel that hiring you will be a liability since you may not be as productive as others.
When preparing for an interview, check if you have any experience related to the job. Review the responsibilities to determine if they relate to your past roles.
For example, if you are trying for a sales job and previously worked in customer service, you may have relevant experience. You can explain to the recruiter that your past role helped you understand customer needs. After that, mention how you can use this knowledge to boost sales and improve reviews.
☑ Show That You Are Eager to Learn
Work environments evolve quickly as companies try to keep up with market trends. Practices that were relevant a year ago may not be as effective today. Due to this, employers are often looking for workers who are eager and open to learning.
Address concerns about your career change by talking about your eagerness to learn. Mention situations where you had to gain a new skill to stay competitive. Explain how you adapted to significant changes in your workplace. You can also showcase your ability to apply new skills in different roles.
Proving that you are open to new experiences can reassure employers. It shows them you can get up to speed quickly and do your duties well. Additionally, it demonstrates that you can thrive even in a new environment, which may convince them to hire you.
☑ Mention Your Connections in the Industry
Strategic networking is vital for a smooth career transition. Knowing the right people can help you navigate a new industry easily and give you insights into what to expect when you start working. If you have a good network, you can use it to prove to potential employees you are a great fit for the role.
Did you recently have a conversation with an industry leader about recent trends? Have you connected the firm’s founders on social media? Bring up such topics in your interview to engage the recruiter.
Informational interviews help you gain insights about an industry after changing careers. If you had a conversation with a reputable person in the field, let your recruiter know. Inform them about the matters you discussed and any helpful advice you received. Show them you are interested in the industry and committed to the change.
☑ Be Honest About Your Qualifications
It’s tempting to oversell your qualifications when changing careers. While you may fear that you don’t precisely match the recruiter’s needs, honesty will help you earn their trust.
If you don’t have a skill necessary for the job, don’t lie about it. Instead, inform the recruiter that you are open to upskilling. Tell them about the courses you have enrolled in to fill your skills gap. You can also mention industry events and relevant workshops you will attend soon.
Discussing the measures you are taking to upskill is a great sign of self-awareness. It shows that you understand your shortcomings and are willing to work on them to be more efficient. When you are honest and confident in your room for growth, the potential employer will have more faith in you.
Don’t Let a Career Change Stunt Your Growth
Preparing for an interview after a career change will help you address concerns that might come up. Still, you must equip yourself with the right skills to convince recruiters to hire you.
Besides, connect with other professionals in your new field to expand your knowledge. You should also vouch for yourself by mentioning relevant experience and abilities.
