5 Tips for Changing Careers

In our last blog post, we talked about the number of people who have decided to change careers, and we described how Ticket to Work can help. Today, we offer you five tips for success when it comes to changing careers.

1. Identify Your Why

When switching or exploring new careers, ask yourself why you want to do so in the first place. Perhaps you want to learn new skills, increase your earnings, or have more flexible hours. Take an inventory of your interests, core values, and skills. Your Ticket Program service provider can help. Below are some questions to get you started:

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  • What do you like and dislike about your current job?
  • What are you looking for in a new field?
  • Do you want to change industries or find a new type of job in the same field?
  • Do you need new skills or education?

2. Make a Plan

After identifying your why, it’s time for you to make a plan. If you’re eligible, we recommend working with your Ticket Program service provider to develop an Individual Work Plan. This will help identify short, mid and long-range goals, and the steps and timeframes to achieve them.

Together, you’ll develop SMART goals related to your career change. Make sure they are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Time-bound. By using SMART goals tied to your career change, you can move toward the goal with the support of your employment team.

3. Build Your Network

Changing jobs may mean working within a new industry, and looking for a new job may take some time. While applying for jobs and waiting for interviews, networking can help you find new opportunities and show people you’d like to try something new.

Attending career fairs, alumni meet and greets, or reaching out to potential new companies for informational interviews helps you build professional relationships in the industry before you’ve even had your first day.

4. Update Your Resume

When you know what type of new work you’d like to try, it’s time to update your resume. How do you show the hiring manager you’re a good fit? Adjusting your resume can play an important role in your application process.

Not all resumes are equal, and creating one that highlights the transferable skills you have is an important tool for your career change.

Your position titles may not match the traditional path to your new career, but explaining how your skills could be applied to a new position may help you secure the next interview. For example, running an elementary school classroom takes strong, clear communication skills and exposes you to different types of computer programs. A mechanic understands attention to detail and rapid problem-solving skills. A nurse can work well under pressure and with a wide variety of personality types. Identify your soft and hard skills and make them shine in your resume.

5. Develop a Stand-out Cover Letter

And don't forget an important part of your job application: your cover letter! To add more context to your skills and show what a great fit you are for the new position, customize your cover letter to focus on your experience. Your cover letter can take a lot of forms these days, but above all, it is your attention grabber. It shows how you stand out as a candidate and as a person. Bring your confidence and have faith in your own voice (though you should always have someone proofread!) It will help you find the right organization and people who are the best career change match for you.

How Can Ticket to Work Help?

Learn More

To learn more about the Ticket Program, visit choosework.ssa.gov or call the Ticket to Work Help Line at 1-866-968-7842. For callers who are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech disability, call our TTY at 1-866-833-2967 (TTY). Hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET. You can also learn more by registering for a free, online webinar. Or you can text TICKET to 1-571-489-5292 to receive Ticket Program texts. Standard messaging rates may apply, and you can opt out at any time.