One Way to Change Careers
By Kevin Donlin | January 3rd, 2008
For some of you, it’s not enough to find a new job in 2008 — you want a whole new career.
No problem. You can do that. It may not be easy, but it can be simple.
Here’s a proven way to make the leap to a new career in two steps.
Let me explain.
Say you’re an accountant … who wants to be a graphic designer. You certainly can try to move directly into a design job, but it may be hard to prove artistic skills based on your experience using Excel.
Instead, you could try the following ”two-step” approach.
First, get an accounting job at a design firm. Then, network with designers and pick their brains. Come in on weekends — with permission — and learn the software.
Next, after you’ve had a chance to learn from fellow employees, take the second step: Ask for an internal move to a design role. If your skills and work ethic are solid, the boss should have no qualms about giving you a new job as a designer.
I saw this done twice at my last employer. There was Jane, who went from answering phones to a position in graphic design following the principles above. And Anne, who also started as a receptionist, and was later promoted to a writing job.
Before that — way back in 1993 — I was working for a language school in Tokyo as an English teacher and trainer. But I really wanted to write and edit textbooks. So I volunteered to proofread and help the writing staff in any way I could. I worked hard, learning and contributing, for a couple of months.
One fine spring day, my boss faxed me at one of our branch offices, where I was stationed (this was pre-email) and asked if I would give her a call. On the phone, she offered me a position as … a textbook writer and editor. Mission accomplished.
Now. What will you do with this information?
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