Changing careers within your field can be a good way to transfer your best skills from one job to the next. These transferable skills are great; however, you will likely need to perform some work to make the switch to a different career path. Within the Life Sciences industry, changing careers can be done, but you need to make a few moves before you can land your next job. Here are a few tips to get you started.
Target a Career Path You’d Like to Pursue
Before you do anything else, you need to determine what you’d like to do next. How difficult will it be to transition from your current job into the position you want? Will you need additional training? What is the expected trajectory of the career field?
To get more information about the various jobs available in the life sciences field, consider speaking to veterans in the industry. People who have been working the job you want for several years can give you a better idea of what is needed to pursue the career. Make sure you speak to people from multiple different companies to get a broad idea of the career field industry-wide.
Create an Entirely New Resume
The next thing you need to do if you are pursuing a new career is to create a new resume. While much of your experience and skills will transfer from one life sciences job to the next, you will want to frame your work history differently. Highlight the most relevant experience to the career you are interested in. For example, if you are seeking out a leadership position in the life sciences field, you would want to showcase any experience you have with managing teams or labs.
If you don’t have any experience that directly ties to the job in question, share experience that shows your reliability and willingness to learn. Remember, any experience you have is valuable. You simply need to make the employer see how your work history can make you a good fit for your new intended career.
Network With People in the Career Field You’re Interested In
Networking is another key part of making a career switch. As mentioned above, it is a good idea to chat with people who are currently holding the role you would like to have. Beyond that, you should build relationships with people who work with companies you’re interested in and tap into your social network to see what opportunities are available.
Taking the time to nurture these relationships can lend you a helping hand when it comes time to switch jobs. Your networking contacts can provide you with good referrals. They can also make you aware of new opportunities when they come up.
Bonus tip: Partnering with a staffing agency can also help you change careers within the life sciences field. The professional recruiters at the Staffing Resource Group can work with you to pinpoint career paths you can pursue with your current skills. We can also identify additional training needed to obtain your long-term career goals. Learn more about the opportunities available to you when you work with us.
