Working in an IT field is not only extremely profitable but also interesting and rewarding. No wonder that even more people want to find a job in this sphere. Moreover, even those who already have a profession in any other field think about switching to IT. Of course, it is always a good idea to try something new, especially if you feel that it is exactly what you need. However, this transition might be challenging and we are here to help you.
How can you make the transition easier? You need to properly present your previous experience in a resume, showing the employer those skills and knowledge that will be important for your new profession. Here’s how to do it.
1. Make Job Titles Similar
Compare and make the names of the desired and the last positions as consonant as possible. Of course, this is not feasible in all cases of professional change. But sometimes it is really manageable.
Let’s say you are a data analytic or a product manager but dream of switching to IT. These are close areas. You can rename the last position to demonstrate your experience in close areas. You should understand that having a certain set of skills and experience will help you demonstrate that you will be able to cope with new tasks and responsibilities even though you might not have worked in a position you want to get now.
2. Develop a Set of Key Skills
Many people do not see their experience from the outside and do not assume that some of their skills can be extremely useful in the future. If you have a solid foundation of soft skills (managerial experience, strong communication skills, strategic vision) that are important for your desired position, you should definitely mention them. It is essential to bring these skills to the fore in your resume and explain how you might apply them in a new field.
For example, you should focus on analytical skills in your CV, the ability to process and structure a large amount of information, to defend your point of view. Think about the skills you possess and how they can be transformed or applied to those necessary in IT. It will help you demonstrate that you can use these skills in a new environment and achieve success with new tasks.
3. Eliminate Irrelevant Skills
It is necessary not only to focus on skills that are crucial for the new field but also to remove from the resume the mention of previous experience, which, on the contrary, is superfluous for new tasks.
For example, if you were a leader in the previous field and worked with large projects but in a new profession you are going to start from an entry position, you should not list your previous great merits and implemented projects. Otherwise, you will seem like an overqualified candidate. Taking former bosses as employees is not very popular anyway, for fear of competition, and if you emphasize your previous status, this may seem like a sign of great ambition.
It is better to emphasize the openness to new experiences and the desire to learn from colleagues, as well as to be quick to grasp new knowledge. And disassemble the large blocks of your work control into smaller ones, indicating those that will be useful in the new profession. For example, instead of a general experience in “optimizing business processes”, give more specific examples of reducing any expenditure items in the budget and write what skills helped you to achieve this.
4. Tell How You Dealt With Changes Before
Have you had any experience of switching to another job with responsibilities that were different from the previous one? Did you have to switch to work in another department? Were there any changes in previous jobs that needed getting used to and learning? Show how you have successfully mastered everything new.
5. Show Your Interest
Why are you so interested in this area, what fascinated you so much that you are ready to cross out your past career? Tell the employer about this in such a way that their own eyes lit up. By showing your interest, you will greatly increase your chances.
6. Be Flawless
Remember that you are competing with candidates who already have experience in this area. Therefore, the slightest flaw on your part is unacceptable. Your resume must be perfect, you must prepare carefully for the interview, choose the right questions and show your strengths correctly.