Do you want to change industry sectors mid career?

Recently I spoke to a woman in her 40's who was looking to find a new position, preferably in a new industry. She had worked for 15 years in aged care and disability and she was feeling burned out and jaded. She wanted a new horizon, new learning and something to re-ignite her passion. Did I mention she had 2 school age children and had been working part time for the past 5 years - as many sole parents have to do?

She wailed:  "What am I doing wrong? I'm loyal, competent, hard working! What more would an employer want?"

I felt like I was talking to someone of my parents generation, who expected to stay at the same company and be given promotions based on those qualities of hard, work, loyalty and longevity.  It's hard to tell someone that the integrity that was so much a part of what employers wanted twenty odd years ago isn't of much interest to the companies of today. 

So how does someone with this kind of values system get a fair go in today's employment market?

Let's look at the situation she is in:

She has worked for only 2 companies in her 15 year work history. The problem with this is many fold:

• her company like to feel they can rely on her fulfilling the position they've employed her for
• as a part timer they can't consider upgrading her to a different position because she's working part time hours and the more senior roles will be full time positions
• as a sole parent she is considered less reliable than others working there because she might be called away to fulfil her parenting duties
• she will have limited on-going training because of being part time
• her knowledge of the industry is limited to 2 companies - if these companies are not leaders in the field she will not have up to date skills to bring with her to her new position.
• how transferable will her skills be across industry sectors? The Health and Community Services sector (especially in Aged Care) has such a skills and labour shortage they will take people who want to change careers but the opportunities for moving across to other industries isn't as open and nor are they as willing to train someone in their specific industry needs, particularly a mid career employee.
• she is competing against younger women who are cheaper to employ and who may have better technical skills than her (I say "may" here because it's more likely to be a perception rather than a reality)
• she will appear to have specialised skills or be overqualified for more junior administration positions

• She needs to think strategically about who would want her particular expertise to help them get better at what they're doing. By this I mean, her focus should be on companies that service the Aged Care sector - such as manufacturers of aged care products or services to the Aged Care sector, residential care contractors etc. In these companies her background would be invaluable.
• Any place where a sector interconnects with another is a good transition point where your knowledge and expertise will be recognised and appreciated.
• She needs to let go of staying in a position long term. If you wish to be growing in your career you need to be looking to changing your position approximately every 3 years. These changes can be internally within a company providing they are showing progression in your career, learning, management skills etc. 
• If you are still doing exactly the same job for 3 years in a row without learning new things, you are stagnating.
• She needs to be strategic in her choice of employers. 
• Have experience of different companies within your chosen sector, working towards working with the #1 employer of choice in that field.
• She needs to know what else is happening in her sector. 
• This means joining industry associations, connecting to groups on Linked In and putting your hand up to attend functions that will get you out and about meeting with peers in your industry.
• She needs to be working full time in her sector before she considers moving to a new industry.
• Choose a full-time position with more responsibility with a company that has a name for itself in the sector as an innovator or leader... and if you cannot get promotions within the company, start looking to move after 2 years work there.

• There is so much information on how to job hunt, write resumes, cover letters and practice for interviews. 
• Get doing some research.
• Recruiters are professionals and extremely helpful when you wish to change industry sector. 
• Research and find those who are specialists in the field you wish to go into. check out their websites for job hunting tips and ask for their advice.
• It takes time and a considerable amount of hard work and luck to change sectors successfully. 
• Don't give up. Good luck!

Melody R. Green is a Energy Healer || Soul Coach for Women in Career or Life Transition || Award-winning Author of  The Your Career Sweet Spot Course. Melody assists others to connect to their Soul Path and bring more joy, clarity, connection and creativity into their lives.