I was laid off recently, and my career has been in a very specific niche. The feedback I’m getting so far in my job search is that I don’t have enough relatable experience. How do I compete with people who have direct experience? I know I can do the job. – Commercial Real Estate Analyst
The good news is that this CRE analyst is getting interviews and hearing feedback, even if the end results aren’t yet ideal. With a few tweaks to the job search, they may be able to be the candidate that gets the job offer. If you are looking to pivot your career and feel like your background may seem too specialized to recruiters and hiring managers in different fields, here are five steps to break out of your niche:
1. Understand Employer Concerns And Why Your Niche Experience May Be Overlooked
Employers make hires from the same industry because each industry has its jargon, trends, and competitors, and it takes time for someone on the outside to get up to speed. Similarly, employers hire people who have done the same role because there is a track record of results. Finally, some employers insist that hires already be in the geography of the hiring company or have already worked in companies of a similar size or tenure (e.g., start-up, established market leader) because different locations, different size companies and young v. old companies have different cultures.
It’s important to understand (and empathize with!) employer concerns so that you can address the issues and ensure your experience gets due consideration. Do substantive research into the new field you’re targeting, so you understand the jargon, trends, competitors and different cultures and processes. Have a plan for how you’ll contribute from Day One, so the employer doesn’t see you as a burden to onboard.
2. Identify Transferable Skills And Bridge The Experience Gap
Don’t assume that employers know how your skills transfer. Don’t expect employers to bridge the gap between what they need and what you offer, especially since you’re coming from a different field. Instead, be ready with specific examples of your work and how those skills, expertise and experience would translate into the next environment.
For this commercial real estate analyst, it may be that there are challenges the CRE industry is facing that are similar to the new target industry. In that case, the analyst should point out what they did to get results amidst the challenges and what actions and overall strategies might also apply to the new field. When highlighting transferable skills, they can give examples within commercial real estate, so that the employer sees the skills in action, but then the analyst should also point out how those skills would be used in the new role. Help the employer see you already doing the work – don’t just promise you’ll learn.
3. Craft A Compelling Narrative And Position Yourself As The Best Candidate
Talking directly to gatekeepers and decision-makers, like recruiters and hiring managers, is the fastest route to convincing people you are the best candidate. However, before you can get this audience, you need to reach out to them with a resume, cover letter and LinkedIn profile. These job search tools are an important part of your narrative because many times you can’t get a meeting without first introducing yourself.
Tailor your resume, cover letter and LinkedIn profile to the job you want, not the one you’re leaving, especially if you’re making a significant pivot. This CRE analyst should minimize any real estate jargon that appears in descriptions of their experience. Highlight bottom-line results – every employer understands money. List skills that are used across industries, not just real estate. Be active in the new field you say you want – join a professional association, attend a conference, take classes – and emphasize these recent and hands-on experiences.
4. Expand Your Network And Leverage Connections In Your New Field
Being active in your new field isn’t just so you have something to write about. Professional associations, conferences, and classes also help expand your network, so you can leverage connections into insights, insider information and introductions to decision-makers. Before you can convince an employer to hire you, convince a peer to refer you. When an established professional in your new field vouches for you, that gives your pivot credibility.
5. Consider Alternative Paths: Contract Work, Consulting, Or Adjacent Roles
While you may prefer a full-time role in your new target field, there are multiple benefits to pursuing contract work, consulting or adjacent roles (i.e., not your ideal role but at least in your ideal industry). Going after alternative paths gives your job search more leads to pursue. Landing some contract work or consulting gives you money to extend your job search so you don’t have to settle because of financial urgency. Contract work or consulting in your new field gives you proof points to talk about in networking meetings and job interviews. An adjacent role gets you a foot in the door, where you can meet people, get hands-on experience and possibly make a lateral move to more of what you want.