2. Identify your transferable skills.
Your resume should reflect all the skills you’ve accrued in your past work experience and demonstrate how you can apply them to the new role.
For example, if you are a seasoned teacher looking to get into account management, emphasize your communication, organization and time-management skills.
“Find where your skills in your current career are relevant to your new career and highlight them,” advised John Crossman, founder of Crossman Career Builders.
Don’t get hung up on skills unique to the new field. Remember, you have valuable skills and experience to bring to the table. Ensure your resume clearly shows how you can use your existing skills to be effective in the new position.
Your resume should reflect all the skills you’ve accrued in your past work experience and demonstrate how you can apply them to the new role.
For example, if you are a seasoned teacher looking to get into account management, emphasize your communication, organization and time-management skills.
“Find where your skills in your current career are relevant to your new career and highlight them,” advised John Crossman, founder of Crossman Career Builders.
Don’t get hung up on skills unique to the new field. Remember, you have valuable skills and experience to bring to the table. Ensure your resume clearly shows how you can use your existing skills to be effective in the new position.
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3. Volunteer or freelance to gain relevant experience.
If you’re set on amassing relevant experience in your new field before applying, volunteering and doing freelance work are excellent ways to gain experience, build a network and pad your resume.
Freelancing is becoming more popular and accessible across industries than ever. “Many hiring managers feel that volunteer work makes job candidates more attractive,” Khare said. “If you have volunteered or done freelance work, it counts as work experience.”
Furthermore, freelancing or volunteering helps you build a network, which can prove invaluable as you embark on a new career path. People in your network can provide guidance and may even have contacts to help you with your job search.
If you’re set on amassing relevant experience in your new field before applying, volunteering and doing freelance work are excellent ways to gain experience, build a network and pad your resume.
Freelancing is becoming more popular and accessible across industries than ever. “Many hiring managers feel that volunteer work makes job candidates more attractive,” Khare said. “If you have volunteered or done freelance work, it counts as work experience.”
Furthermore, freelancing or volunteering helps you build a network, which can prove invaluable as you embark on a new career path. People in your network can provide guidance and may even have contacts to help you with your job search.
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4. Quantify your achievements to show actionable changes.
Regardless of the fields you worked in previously, when hiring employees, employers want to see quantifiable achievements to know you can make a positive change in any situation.
Your resume should tell them about problems you solved in past positions – and how you solved them – even if they aren’t related to your new industry.
“You need to [present] quantifiable data for the hiring manager to analyze,” said Charley Polachi, managing partner of recruiting firm Polachi & Company Inc. “What was the state of the company when you went in, and what is the state today? Hopefully, it’s up, and if it is, what did you do there to improve it?”
Quantifying your achievements can be challenging, particularly if your past roles didn’t require you to work with numbers. Still, it can be done in a way that meaningfully measures your experience.
Regardless of the fields you worked in previously, when hiring employees, employers want to see quantifiable achievements to know you can make a positive change in any situation.
Your resume should tell them about problems you solved in past positions – and how you solved them – even if they aren’t related to your new industry.
“You need to [present] quantifiable data for the hiring manager to analyze,” said Charley Polachi, managing partner of recruiting firm Polachi & Company Inc. “What was the state of the company when you went in, and what is the state today? Hopefully, it’s up, and if it is, what did you do there to improve it?”
Quantifying your achievements can be challenging, particularly if your past roles didn’t require you to work with numbers. Still, it can be done in a way that meaningfully measures your experience.
5. Scrutinize resumes of people who work in the position.
Utilize LinkedIn to better understand what’s required or expected from someone applying for the position you’re seeking. Should you have a certain degree? Specific training? Unique skills?
LinkedIn can help you find individuals who work in the same job or a position similar to the one you’re seeking. Note their experience and skills, and use this information as a guide when presenting yourself on paper.
If you come across someone you have a connection with, like someone in your alumni network or someone with whom you share a mutual contact, politely reach out and see if they would be willing to chat with you about their experience in the field. Make sure you mention how you found them and why you’re reaching out.
Utilize LinkedIn to better understand what’s required or expected from someone applying for the position you’re seeking. Should you have a certain degree? Specific training? Unique skills?
LinkedIn can help you find individuals who work in the same job or a position similar to the one you’re seeking. Note their experience and skills, and use this information as a guide when presenting yourself on paper.
If you come across someone you have a connection with, like someone in your alumni network or someone with whom you share a mutual contact, politely reach out and see if they would be willing to chat with you about their experience in the field. Make sure you mention how you found them and why you’re reaching out.
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6. Ensure you have a strong online presence.
In the age of digital job searches, your online presence is like an extension of your resume. Because of the proliferation of social media screenings, ensure all your social profiles are professional and up to date.
If you don’t have a social media presence, create a LinkedIn profile to give hiring managers a more in-depth picture of your professional background.
You can also use your LinkedIn account to further establish yourself in your new industry by sharing articles and connecting with relevant voices in the field.
Tierra Smith contributed to the writing and reporting in this article. Source interviews were conducted for a previous version of this article.
In the age of digital job searches, your online presence is like an extension of your resume. Because of the proliferation of social media screenings, ensure all your social profiles are professional and up to date.
If you don’t have a social media presence, create a LinkedIn profile to give hiring managers a more in-depth picture of your professional background.
You can also use your LinkedIn account to further establish yourself in your new industry by sharing articles and connecting with relevant voices in the field.
Tierra Smith contributed to the writing and reporting in this article. Source interviews were conducted for a previous version of this article.
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26 great small business ideas
This list of 26 great business ideas will help you get started on your entrepreneurial journey. Note that many of the ideas below only require you to have a credit card processing partner to get started, so you can keep upfront expenses relatively low.
Read on for some inspiration into the many types of businesses that could launch you to success.
This list of 26 great business ideas will help you get started on your entrepreneurial journey. Note that many of the ideas below only require you to have a credit card processing partner to get started, so you can keep upfront expenses relatively low.
Read on for some inspiration into the many types of businesses that could launch you to success.
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1. Online reselling
If you’re interested in clothing and sales, you might consider starting an online reseller business. Although it takes time, dedication and an eye for fashion, you can start your business as a side hustle and turn it into a full-time resale business. You could start by using online store websites like Poshmark and Mercari to sell your unwanted clothing and items, then expand to your own resale website.
Consider shopping estate sales and flea markets for hidden finds at a low cost and then listing them for a profit online. You may be able to collect a substantial inventory of items that are in good shape for very little overhead if you’re diligent enough and search the right places.
If you’re interested in clothing and sales, you might consider starting an online reseller business. Although it takes time, dedication and an eye for fashion, you can start your business as a side hustle and turn it into a full-time resale business. You could start by using online store websites like Poshmark and Mercari to sell your unwanted clothing and items, then expand to your own resale website.
Consider shopping estate sales and flea markets for hidden finds at a low cost and then listing them for a profit online. You may be able to collect a substantial inventory of items that are in good shape for very little overhead if you’re diligent enough and search the right places.
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2. Pet sitting
About 70% of U.S. families have a pet. When these families go away for extended periods, your pet-sitting small business can give them peace of mind. As a pet sitter, you’ll watch over your clients’ dogs, cats or other pets at their house. As part of the job, you’ll need to feed them, give them water, play with them, and (with dogs) walk them as needed. To help keep clients satisfied, you’ll need to regularly update them on how their pets are doing.
If you have other sources of income that require nothing more than an internet connection and a laptop, pet sitting may be an especially apt small business idea. Almost all pet owners will be glad to let you work on your laptop while you spend time at their home with their pets, meaning that you can run two income streams simultaneously
About 70% of U.S. families have a pet. When these families go away for extended periods, your pet-sitting small business can give them peace of mind. As a pet sitter, you’ll watch over your clients’ dogs, cats or other pets at their house. As part of the job, you’ll need to feed them, give them water, play with them, and (with dogs) walk them as needed. To help keep clients satisfied, you’ll need to regularly update them on how their pets are doing.
If you have other sources of income that require nothing more than an internet connection and a laptop, pet sitting may be an especially apt small business idea. Almost all pet owners will be glad to let you work on your laptop while you spend time at their home with their pets, meaning that you can run two income streams simultaneously
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3. T-shirt printing
If you have a sense of fashion (or humor), you might enjoy launching a T-shirt printing business. You can also license someone else’s designs and screenprint them onto a blank tee. Either way, if you have space for a T-shirt printing setup, you can easily acquire the necessary tools to get started.
If you have a sense of fashion (or humor), you might enjoy launching a T-shirt printing business. You can also license someone else’s designs and screenprint them onto a blank tee. Either way, if you have space for a T-shirt printing setup, you can easily acquire the necessary tools to get started.
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Did You Know?
T-shirt printing can be a great e-commerce business. You can allow customers to place online orders and sell T-shirts in bulk. This way, you can sell to customers around the country and even the world.
T-shirt printing can be a great e-commerce business. You can allow customers to place online orders and sell T-shirts in bulk. This way, you can sell to customers around the country and even the world.
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4. Cleaning service
If you like to clean, you can easily turn that into a business. With a few staff members, a host of cleaning supplies and transportation, you can offer cleaning services to homeowners, apartment complexes and commercial properties. Most cleaning services charge $25 to $50 per hour. Cleaning services are straightforward businesses that require relatively little overhead; you simply need planning, dedication and marketing to attract customers.
If you’re looking to differentiate yourself from other cleaning services, consider adding premium options like floor waxing or exterior power-washing for an additional fee. These services could be the deciding factor between your new cleaning service and seasoned companies that maintain too large a client list to provide that level of cleaning.
If you like to clean, you can easily turn that into a business. With a few staff members, a host of cleaning supplies and transportation, you can offer cleaning services to homeowners, apartment complexes and commercial properties. Most cleaning services charge $25 to $50 per hour. Cleaning services are straightforward businesses that require relatively little overhead; you simply need planning, dedication and marketing to attract customers.
If you’re looking to differentiate yourself from other cleaning services, consider adding premium options like floor waxing or exterior power-washing for an additional fee. These services could be the deciding factor between your new cleaning service and seasoned companies that maintain too large a client list to provide that level of cleaning.
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5. Online teaching
The demand for online education has opened up possibilities for entrepreneurs. Since this is an online venture, you can choose any subject you know about and teach a course regardless of location. If you don’t have advanced knowledge in any particular subject, consider teaching English as a foreign language online to students overseas.
The demand for online education has opened up possibilities for entrepreneurs. Since this is an online venture, you can choose any subject you know about and teach a course regardless of location. If you don’t have advanced knowledge in any particular subject, consider teaching English as a foreign language online to students overseas.
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6. Online bookkeeping
As with education, technology allows many bookkeeping services to be performed online. If you are an accountant or bookkeeper who wants the freedom and autonomy of running your own business, take advantage of modern technology to start your own online bookkeeping service.
As with education, technology allows many bookkeeping services to be performed online. If you are an accountant or bookkeeper who wants the freedom and autonomy of running your own business, take advantage of modern technology to start your own online bookkeeping service.
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7. Consulting
If you are knowledgeable and passionate about a specific topic (like business, social media, marketing, human resources, leadership or communication), consulting can be a lucrative option. You can start a consulting business on your own, then grow your business and hire other consultants over time
If you are knowledgeable and passionate about a specific topic (like business, social media, marketing, human resources, leadership or communication), consulting can be a lucrative option. You can start a consulting business on your own, then grow your business and hire other consultants over time
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8. Medical courier service
If you have a reliable vehicle and good time management skills, consider creating your own courier service – more specifically, a medical courier service. As a driver, you would be responsible for transporting medical items like lab specimens, prescription drugs and equipment. You could start your courier business on your own or hire other drivers to work for you
If you have a reliable vehicle and good time management skills, consider creating your own courier service – more specifically, a medical courier service. As a driver, you would be responsible for transporting medical items like lab specimens, prescription drugs and equipment. You could start your courier business on your own or hire other drivers to work for you
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Did You Know?
The healthcare industry is expanding, which is a good sign for medical courier service job stability. There’s a wide range of client groups your business can serve, including hospitals, nursing homes, labs and private practices.
The healthcare industry is expanding, which is a good sign for medical courier service job stability. There’s a wide range of client groups your business can serve, including hospitals, nursing homes, labs and private practices.
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9. App development
If you are knowledgeable and experienced in technology, you may want to consider a career in app development. Smartphones are an everyday accessory for many Americans that has increased the demand for mobile apps. Similarly, virtual reality software has become popular in recent years, so there is also a demand for VR app development.
If you are knowledgeable and experienced in technology, you may want to consider a career in app development. Smartphones are an everyday accessory for many Americans that has increased the demand for mobile apps. Similarly, virtual reality software has become popular in recent years, so there is also a demand for VR app development.
10. Transcription service
If you have a good ear and can type quickly, a transcription service would allow you to work from home with a flexible schedule. Medical transcription services are especially needed as voice recognition technology proliferates for healthcare provider dictation.
You can accept as few or as many transcription jobs as you’d like. This flexibility can be especially beneficial if you’re not looking to start all at once or if you have a day job you would like to keep for now. To boost your business prospects and justify charging more, consider becoming a certified transcriptionist and delving into a few specialties.
Medical transcriptionists typically charge 6 to 14 cents per line of transcription, which adds up quickly. The typical turnaround time for transcription work is 24 hours, so it’s important to stay on top of the jobs you accept.
If you have a good ear and can type quickly, a transcription service would allow you to work from home with a flexible schedule. Medical transcription services are especially needed as voice recognition technology proliferates for healthcare provider dictation.
You can accept as few or as many transcription jobs as you’d like. This flexibility can be especially beneficial if you’re not looking to start all at once or if you have a day job you would like to keep for now. To boost your business prospects and justify charging more, consider becoming a certified transcriptionist and delving into a few specialties.
Medical transcriptionists typically charge 6 to 14 cents per line of transcription, which adds up quickly. The typical turnaround time for transcription work is 24 hours, so it’s important to stay on top of the jobs you accept.
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Tip
While not required, a medical transcription license can increase your business’s competitive advantage while expanding your customer base to include larger companies. Some service providers prefer that their transcriptionists have training from a certified program.
While not required, a medical transcription license can increase your business’s competitive advantage while expanding your customer base to include larger companies. Some service providers prefer that their transcriptionists have training from a certified program.
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11. Professional organizing
Looking for a small business idea that can really spark joy? Professional organizers, like Marie Kondo, help people declutter and minimize for a living. In an age of materialism, many people are desperate to downsize and take control over their possessions. Minimalism is becoming extremely popular, but people often find it hard to part with things they’ve owned for a long time. Part of being a professional organizer is helping clients develop a system for downsizing.
If you’re a highly organized person who enjoys making spaces functional and comfortable, you might be good at coaching others to do the same.
People will pay you to help them devise a method of minimizing their possessions and maintaining an organized space.
To promote your business, ask if your clients will let you take before-and-after photos of the areas of their homes you’ve organized. If so, you can use those to create a portfolio that you can put on social media to attract more clients.
Looking for a small business idea that can really spark joy? Professional organizers, like Marie Kondo, help people declutter and minimize for a living. In an age of materialism, many people are desperate to downsize and take control over their possessions. Minimalism is becoming extremely popular, but people often find it hard to part with things they’ve owned for a long time. Part of being a professional organizer is helping clients develop a system for downsizing.
If you’re a highly organized person who enjoys making spaces functional and comfortable, you might be good at coaching others to do the same.
People will pay you to help them devise a method of minimizing their possessions and maintaining an organized space.
To promote your business, ask if your clients will let you take before-and-after photos of the areas of their homes you’ve organized. If so, you can use those to create a portfolio that you can put on social media to attract more clients.
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