Knowing how to find work outside of your field of study is important should you want an occupation in a different field. Many professionals often change their career goals, which can prompt them to look for employment in a different industry. While having a degree in the industry you want to work in is advantageous, there are other methods to acquire knowledge and experience that will help you land new positions. You might be interested in learning how to find work outside of your field of study if you’re debating whether to look for a different type of employment.
In this post, we discuss the reasons behind professionals looking for work outside of their field of study in fields unrelated to their degrees, the advantages of doing so, and the actions to take to land a job in a new field.
Why do people with degrees look for work in fields unrelated to their education?
As their professions advance, many professionals set new objectives for themselves. Sometimes, soon after graduating from university or college, professionals decide they wish to work in another field of work. After gaining some expertise in their area, professionals occasionally decide to shift their career ambitions. For a variety of reasons, professionals could choose to find a new line of work, including:
- New interests or passions: Some professionals may discover new interests or passions during their careers, and they may choose to follow those interests by switching to a different line of employment.
- Career growth: Some people could think about switching to a different industry to find additional career development prospects, like managerial or executive-level positions that might not be accessible in their current industry.
- Greater pay: If professionals believe a new field can offer a greater wage to satisfy their needs, they may decide to switch to it.
- Work-life balance: Certain individuals change careers to find a better work-life balance that will allow them to pursue their interests outside of the office.
- Relocation: If a professional moves to a place with fewer job options in their current sector, they may occasionally look for work in a different industry.
How to find work outside of your field of study
When seeking work outside of your field of study, use the following procedures and approaches:
1. Industrial Research
If you already know what kind of work you want, start reading publications, looking up information online, and reading job descriptions to learn more about those roles. You can better comprehend the abilities that companies value and the professional duties of the position by learning more about your new field. Research jobs that sound fascinating to you if you’re unclear about the type of employment you want to do. You can further focus your search by taking a career test. You can better understand the measures to follow to find work outside of your field of study by conducting this study.
2. Acquire new skills
Many professionals may need to learn new skills to succeed when switching to a different industry. To gain technical knowledge about work outside of your field of study, read newsletters, publications, and books on your new profession. Consider enrolling in online courses or earning a new certification if the sector you’re interested in calls for in-depth knowledge of a particular subject. These steps will help you develop your hard skills. As you search for work outside of your field of study, it can be beneficial to develop a few of your soft skills, like adaptability, communication, and problem-solving. These are transferable skills that are useful in a variety of occupations.
3. Locate an internship
Applying for internships could be beneficial if you want to learn more about another work outside of your field of study. Some organizations might provide internships to individuals looking to acquire experience, whereas some internships might only be accessible to college students. Ask colleagues questions about the industry and what they like about this line of work when you are working as an intern. Building a network of industry professionals through internships might also assist you locate work outside of your field of study or get referrals for employment.
4. Participate in volunteer activities
A great method to develop your abilities and get some hands-on experience in another work outside of your field of study is by volunteering. Look for local nonprofits or groups that might suit your job objectives. For instance, if teaching is your career goal, consider offering to tutor kids in an after-school program. You may demonstrate to potential employers that you are dedicated to your new profession by including volunteer work on your CV.
5. Be your boss
Think about working on a project associated with your new profession outside of working hours if you need some time to transfer out of your current position. For instance, if web design is your area of interest, start building websites in your spare time. To help you obtain experience in another work outside of your field of study, you can inquire with friends or family to see whether they need your services. Set objectives for yourself, such as assembling a portfolio of work you can utilize to apply for new positions in six months. Working for yourself is a great opportunity to develop your talents while learning more about your new industry.
6. Submit job applications
When you’re prepared to apply for work outside of your field of study, look online or tap into your network of contacts in that industry. Before applying, change your resume to demonstrate the abilities you can contribute to the new industry. To demonstrate that your qualifications are relevant to the post, read over the job postings and utilize a few of the same keywords on your CV. You might also send in a cover letter outlining your enthusiasm for the new industry and your eagerness to pick up new skills. A strong CV and cover letter will help you demonstrate your abilities to potential employers.
An aligned career is what?
A career that aligns with some of your existing abilities and qualifications is outside of your field. Your new career might call for an equivalent amount of technical expertise or share job duties with your former position. To continue using sales abilities like communication and negotiation, a person who has previously held a sales role could seek a profession as a marketing specialist.
Your hunt for new work outside of your field of study might be aided by having a thorough understanding of several professions that might complement your previous line of work. You don’t always need to land a job in an entry-level position or acquire new skills to shift into a profession that is consistent with your interests. This can be useful if you need to rapidly locate a new job path or if you like some aspects of your current area but want to hunt for new opportunities.
Advantages of discovering a new field
The following are some advantages of getting work outside of your field of study:
Become more skilled
You can get new talents that will be helpful for your long-term job success by switching to another work outside of your field of study. These abilities could be hard skills like time management or critical thinking, or they could be soft skills like a higher level of technical understanding, like computer skills. You can continue to develop professionally and grow in your job by learning new skills.
Build up your professional network
You can increase your professional network and meet new people by switching fields. You can use this network to continue picking up knowledge and skills that will help you succeed in your new position. Making relationships with people who are experts in your new sector can give you greater confidence to do so as you progress in your career.
Increase your level of job satisfaction
A lot of individuals decide to look for work in a different industry because they might not be happy in their present position. You can advance your career and discover job happiness by taking on new work outside of your field of study. Achieving this gratification might inspire you to work hard and make you feel valued at work. You can feel happier and more content outside of work if your job is giving you that feeling.
11 Different Job-Hunting Techniques to get work outside of your field of study(With Advice)
Finding new work outside of your field of study can turn into a part-time job. When you employ a range of techniques, you can expand your search and land a job more rapidly.
Why is it crucial to have a job search strategy?
It’s crucial to establish a job search plan to ensure you have more options for employment. Since searching for a new position of work outside of your field of study can take a bit of time, it’s important to experiment with various techniques to expedite the process. You can advance in your profession and progress to better chances by adopting job-hunting techniques.
11 Job Search Strategies
Use the following tactics to land a job more quickly:
Networking
You can increase your job chances for work outside of your field of study by growing your professional network. More people may be able to recommend you for a new position if you have a greater number of professional connections. Even asking for career guidance from your professional network might make you appear more qualified. To advance professionally, tap on your connections as an asset.
Internet job boards
A large network of job prospects has grown out of what was formerly a corkboard at your neighborhood library. Finding the kind of work outside of your field of study you’re searching for is considerably simpler now that the majority of job advertisements are online. You can search for your desired job title using keywords. Similarly to this, many job postings on the internet let you send an employer a CV and cover letter.
Recruiters
Many businesses turn to staffing firms to fill their open positions. Working with an employment agency or headhunter might be quite beneficial for your job hunt because of this. They set up a preliminary interview with you and then introduce you to positions that fit your qualifications. Remember that recruiters are paid on commission, so before considering a job offer, ensure that you can bargain for a competitive salary and benefits package.
Referrals
Some businesses use employee recommendations when hiring new employees. They do this because they value the opinions of their employees and it helps speed up the hiring process. Despite the rarity of employee referrals, it might be worthwhile to inquire about any openings at a reliable friend’s employer. They may suggest you if they believe you and your partner would both do well in a job at their company. Employees who make good recommendations frequently receive a handsome finder’s fee in addition to helping a friend out.
Career fairs
Career fairs are a great method to discover numerous employers all at once. Job fairs are frequently held by firms, colleges, and universities. They are frequently arranged by industry, though some have businesses in numerous job categories. Do your homework on the employers before going to a job fair. Find out the type of applicants they are seeking and what positions are available. Take plenty of printed resumes and cards with you to distribute. You should anticipate conducting a brief interview with each recruiter you contact. Send a follow-up email after that.
Newspapers
In the past, the local newspaper was where most job listings could be found. Even if this is less frequent, there are still many jobs in the newspaper’s job opportunity section. Look through the local newspapers in your area to learn about available opportunities. There are online editions of several of these periodicals as well.
Business websites
Some businesses decide to keep their job listings online. It is worthwhile to conduct an internet search for businesses in your field or work outside of your field of study to start exploring their websites. Learn about them, what they do, and who their customers are before submitting your application. The fact that you are aware of all of these details demonstrates your sincere interest in working for them.
Internships
A fantastic method to enhance your resume and make contacts in the business world if you are new is, to begin with an internship. You can have the chance to go into a full-time position with some internships. If so, be sure to give your internship your all during the entire time you are there. Make an effort to establish your suitability for a full-time employment offer. You can achieve this by being perceptive in your questioning, proposing that you embark on a new assignment, and accepting greater responsibility as you grow accustomed to your job.
Making a cold call
You may decide to contact an organization directly even if there aren’t any open positions there, however, this approach is typically less successful. To find out if they have any open vacancies, you can either call them directly or send them an email. This usually turns out to be the better choice as email continues to develop into a popular method of communication. Include a brief introduction to yourself and the reasons you have an interest in their business in your email. Include an updated copy of your resume and, if appropriate, a link to your online portfolio.
Walking in
Another potentially successful method of finding a job is to walk into a company and request an application. Only certain jobs, like those in retail, restaurants, hospitality, and other service industries, are suitable candidates for this job-hunting tactic. Make sure to dress professionally and request the application when you enter a business. If a company needs to hire quickly, they can opt to conduct an on-the-spot interview, so be ready for that possibility.
Volunteering
One approach to improve the likelihood of getting hired at a company is to volunteer there. This is particularly valid for charitable organizations who could be lacking the resources to recruit you. When a paying position does open up, you might be more qualified if people perceive you as a diligent worker and somebody important to the company. Even if you are unable to find employment there, volunteering broadens your network, looks great on a CV, and enables you to gain knowledge about potential opportunities.
Tips for improving job search
To improve your chances of receiving a job offer, use the following advice:
- Refresh your resume. One of the most crucial aspects of seeking a job is having a strong resume because it serves as an employer’s initial impression of you. Ensure that all of your data is up to date and accurate. Check it again for grammar and formatting mistakes, and have someone else review it as well.
- Make your cover letter and resume specific. Always tailor these materials to the position you’re applying for. Generalized versions of each can be saved, and you can then modify them to better match the requirements and duties of the position you want. You can avoid application tracking systems by doing this.
- Always be ready for anything. You never know what could happen throughout your job quest. For instance, if a business needs to hire someone immediately, they can request an interview soon quickly. Similar to how a business might contact you with an employment offer months later. Your chances of landing a job might be increased by being adaptable and prepared for the unexpected.
- Be considerate to everyone. Be courteous to everyone you encounter when you enter a business. You never know if they’ll have any influence over a hiring choice.
- Apply for positions for which you are underqualified. Even though you should concentrate on applying for employment for which you are qualified, don’t be afraid to apply for positions for which you may not meet all of the requirements. The hiring manager might opt to give you an interview if you believe you are an appropriate candidate for the position. If you don’t apply, you’ll never find out.
- Follow up with emails. Always follow up the next day with a thank-you email after speaking with a recruiter or attending an initial interview. Share your continued interest in the role and how much you valued your conversation with them. This demonstrates to employers your professionalism and courtesy.
- Keep a record of the positions you apply for. You might submit dozens of applications if you’re actively seeking a new position. List the positions you apply for and the dates you applied in an Excel sheet. In this manner, you can recall when to contact an employer and prevent accidentally applying to the same position more than once. A few weeks after the application deadline for a job, if you haven’t heard back from the company, you might email them to find out when they plan to hire new employees.
- Learn the job-related keywords. Learn which keywords are relevant to the type of work you seek because search engines and job boards utilize them to help you find jobs. To obtain a larger selection of job posts, experiment with various related job titles.
- You should request informational interviews. An excellent strategy to express your interest and learn more about a company is to approach them for informational interviews. If you do well in this meeting, they might think of you later on if a position opens up.
- Pay attention to how you look online. Some recruiters check a candidate’s social media accounts to find out more about them. Be careful what you post on social media at all times. Be polite and professional at all times. Be sure that you set your online profiles to private if you do not want a potential employer to view your job postings.
Conclusion
In conclusion, finding work outside of your field of study can be a challenging process, but it can also lead to new opportunities and personal growth. By exploring your interests and skills, networking with professionals in different industries, and gaining relevant experience through internships or volunteer work, you can expand your career options and find fulfilling work outside of your field of study. Remember to stay open-minded, persistent, and proactive in your job search, and don’t be afraid to take risks and try something new. With dedication and hard work, you can successfully transition into a new career and achieve your professional goals.
Frequently Asked Questions about how to find work outside of your field of study
- How do I identify my transferable skills when looking for work outside of my field of study?
You can start by making a list of your skills, experiences, and strengths that are not specific to your field of study. This might include communication, problem-solving, leadership, teamwork, and project management skills. Look for job postings that match these transferable skills, and emphasize them in your resume and cover letter.
- How can I gain experience in a new field if I have no prior experience?
You can gain experience by volunteering, interning, or taking on part-time work in your desired field. This can help you develop new skills, build your network, and demonstrate your commitment to the industry. Look for opportunities to shadow professionals in the field or attend industry events to learn more.
- How can I network with professionals in work outside of my field of study?
You can start by attending networking events, joining professional associations, or reaching out to professionals on LinkedIn. Be clear about your goals and interests, and ask for informational interviews to learn more about their career paths and industry. You can also ask for referrals or introductions to other professionals in the field.
- Should I go back to school to switch careers?
It depends on the field you want to enter and your current qualifications. Some industries may require additional education or certifications, while others may prioritize work experience and practical skills. Consider the time and financial investment required for additional education, and weigh the potential benefits and drawbacks before making a decision.
- How do I stay motivated and confident during the job search process?
It can be challenging to switch careers, but it’s important to stay focused on your goals and maintain a positive attitude. Set realistic expectations, celebrate small successes, and seek support from friends, family, or a career counselor. Remember that rejection is a normal part of the job search process, and use feedback to improve your approach and skills.