The What
Have you been thinking about changing careers recently? You’re not alone and now is the time!
Since the latter part of 2019, workers have been quitting their jobs in record numbers. The Covid-19 pandemic exacerbated this trend, and 25% of workers say they plan to quit their jobs once the pandemic threat has completely subsided. In April alone, 4 million workers have already quit their jobs! Add to that, it’s been predicted that 30% of workers in globally located companies plan to quit their jobs by the end of this year.
The Why
According to a recent Forbes magazine article, many employees feel the pandemic has stalled their careers since early 2020. The economic stall has led employees to feel stuck in their jobs with very real concerns about career progression and skills advancement.
It’s not surprising to see hundreds of thousands of workers displaced during the thick of the Covid-19 pandemic are now looking into different industries. The majority of restaurant, hospitality, event and retail workers were furloughed or laid-off for almost a year. With mounting debt and discovering how much time they lost being away from their friends & families, it’s no wonder these types of workers are seeking jobs in new industries.
Also, professional millennials are now finding that “job hopping” isn’t as big of a deal as it used to be. According to Vicki Salemi, a career expert at Monster, “Once deemed a red-flag for recruiters, switching jobs has become more common and accepted.” However, you will still need to be prepared to explain employment gaps.
Overall, workers are seeking career advancement opportunities, a better workplace culture, remote work options, improved work/life balance and more transparency from their superiors. This is in addition to seeking the best pay & benefits a potential employer has to offer.
The How
It’s important to have a plan in place should you be considering changing careers and/or industries. Yes, it’s a job-seeker’s market right now, but there will be a lot of competition vying for the same positions.
The first step is to identify the most in-demand industries and really dig into the details. Are you qualified to make the jump? Is that industry/position poised for growth? Make a list of local companies who hire for those positions.
Next, update your resume, and be prepared to tweak/customize it for each job you’re interested in. Writing a well composed cover letter is now considered more important than your resume in regards to getting noticed.
Have you networked with professionals in the industry you want to join? Have you sought out a mentor in that industry? Watched webinars? Knowing people in the industry is a helpful “shoe in” for the job you’d like to land. Researching the “who’s who” and emerging trends in those industries could really help you in an interview. You’re showing that you have a sincere, vested interest.
Specifically, workers looking to transition from the food service, hospitality, entertainment, retail and event sectors already have most of the skills necessary to start a job almost anywhere regarding customer service. Brushing up on software and tech skills could be helpful on your resume for securing your career jump. YouTube has videos on almost everything from MS Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint) to free online typing and data entry courses for ramping up useful skills.
We Make it Easy!
There has never been a better time to switch gears and change careers. In the post-pandemic job market, employers are needing to fill empty seats, which is great news for job seekers! FirstOption’s Staffing Specialists make it easy to transition into a new career and/or industry. Due to one of our Core Values, “Nurture lasting relationships,” we know exactly what our clients are looking for. We also love to coach our candidates so they will be offered the best opportunities.
After all, we help build better lives, one at a time. Contact us today to start making the switch into a new and better career!
