It's never too late to jump ship and embark a new career as one must always follow the heart. A career in Human Resource is a safe bet since it deals with the most vital aspects of running a business, which is managing workforce. Career analysts and career counselors have predicted a rise in job opportunities in this field.

Human Resource Management

Have you finally decided to make use of your soft skills, people skills and experience to help others in finding a job? While transitioning from a career where you had gained expertise to an altogether new field is a bold paradigm shift and can make the mind go buzzing with endless questions, going for risk and taking the first step is always important. A human resource manager is entrusted with the responsibility of managing employees in an organization and his or her work may fall under one of the categories namely – handling staff, defining work policies and methods as well as offering employee compensation and benefits. Wondering whether you will be able to manage these responsibilities when there is no relevant experience or degree? While an official degree is an obligation in many companies, there are people who have done exceptionally well without it. If you have planned to make a HR career, taking baby steps in this field while pursuing an online degree course can help you get the hang of duties in this role.

How to make a lateral move in HRM ? 

A career in HR comes with an ample opportunity. Start taking additional responsibilities which are different from daily job assignments. Here are a few common ways which you can employ to make a transition into human resource management.

Take on some administration responsibilities 

This could be one of the best way to get an idea about how a HR goes managing different duties like payroll system, managing employee relations, providing benefits and solving employee issues. To be successful in a new career, one most show willingness to learn things right from zero.

Add HR professionals to the network 

What better way could be to start in this profile than interacting with individuals who have been working in this field and have a substantial experience? Become a part of HR group or community of different organizations until you get some clue about an opportunity. Interacting with people who have already been employed in this sector can help you learn from their experiences. Also, it could head start your new career when a professional is seeking a known employee for a junior position.

Demonstrate your desires 

While you are taking time to find the appropriate opportunity, express your wish to work in HR role to the current boss or senior official. Demonstrating abilities to take on new responsibilities can help you get noticed in the office and it might happen that boss would pay heed to requests and give small tasks. Also, you might get a chance to act as a substitute when the HR is unavailable due to certain reasons or when there is enough work pressure in the department.

Become a part of the recruiting team

As this role usually deals interacting with probable candidates and choosing the best, play an active role in deciding which individuals must be recruited. Apart from this, you can be a part of training sessions for HR or enroll in an internship to learn the technicalities of the job.

While getting a career switch in the current company lies completely at the mercy of boss, doing professional certifications and getting affiliated with communities can add weight to your request and justify the decision. Add new skills and HR-related education in your resume be referring HRM resume samples. Following these points will eventually help in making a successful career change.

Sales is an activity involving selling goods and services. In organizational parlance buying and selling are two sides of the same coin and a person or an organization showing interest in buying the products or services are potential buyers, and the people within the organization who facilitate this exchange are sales professional or salespersons depending on the type of business.

Sales is also considered as a persuading art and people in this profession are expected to have exceptional management and inter-personal qualities. These qualities are not only beneficial for them while working in the sales, but can also be fruitful for them in switching to a different career profile requiring a similar skill set.

Real Estate

Buying and selling of properties existed long ago and continues to be so. In recent times, most of the deals in the real estate sector are carried out through real estate agents. A real estate agent can work as a listing agent to help a client sell his/her property or as a buying agent to help clients buy new properties. Showing houses, coordinating appointments, negotiating offers, and closing deals are some of the duties that a real estate agent performs. As a major part of the duty is to work with clients and buyers, the job of a real estate agent is best suited for a person having good communication skills and having a prior experience in sales. So a person having a background in sales can be a real estate agent. Switching into Real Estate will also not be difficult as there are no specific prerequisites and joining a training program for a month or two would suffice.

Real Estate Agent

Customer Service

Companies provide customer service in order to address queries and resolve issues faced by the customers. The main intent of providing the service is to ensure customer satisfaction so that they keep buying their product or continue availing their service. Therefore, companies hire executives who help in achieving that objective. Attending phone calls and addressing the needs and concerns of the customers are the main duties of the customer service executive. The person best suited to perform this job must have a thorough understanding of consumer needs, their behavior and must have good communication skills. People in sales usually are adept in understanding the consumer sentiment and have a tenacious ability to satisfy the customers and meet daily targets. So a sales person can switch to this profile as core skills required in the profile are almost the same.

Customer Service

Academia

People working in a sales and marketing profile in a corporate sector usually hail from a commerce background. Some of them are postgraduates having a specialization in sales and marketing. Even companies prefer candidates having an academic background while hiring for sales. So, as sales professionals have a formal education in their respective domain, they always have an option of working in the academia.

Business Development

Business development typically involves growing a business by acquiring new customers, or by selling additional products or services to existing ones. Other than that, the executives in business development are responsible in pitching for new products, contacting potential clients, researching needs of clients or companies in case of B2B enterprise, and maintaining fruitful relations with the existing customers. Business development is a critical aspect in ensuring client acquisition and creating important tie-ups that help in business expansion. A person with a sales profile is apt when it comes to working in business development because both the departments have a target-oriented approach and progressively work with the intention of continuous and sustainable growth.



A career in sales is exciting and offers a lot of opportunities to grow. It is probably one of the few careers that people can pursue irrespective of their field of education, and it also provides opportunities for people working in sales to work in different domains that are mentioned above.

Career change is not a novel phenomenon. People today are willing to explore options, as they are in abundance. They are also susceptible to boredom due to the monotonous nature of work that they do, thus making room for exploring new options. Along with that the way a change in career was stigmatized initially is not prevalent these days. On the contrary, a person pursuing a different career and succeeding in it is glorified.

Therefore, it might sound exciting for a person who reads success stories related to career change. But it is important to realize that all that seems so easy is not actually the case. And a change in career involves a lot of efforts and risks. So it is advisable for anyone who wishes to change a career to scrutinize carefully all the variables at play and understand the key stages that govern the career change.

Stages in Career Change

Experiencing the need to change a career

This is often the first stage in switching a career. People who tend to pursue careers in which they don't have any interest, but still end up choosing it for various reasons, usually experience boredom very early in their career. However, there are several other reasons such as grim future prospects, stress, etc. that can induce the thought for a change and thereby force them to explore other options.

Contemplating on the reasons for the change

This is the next critical stage wherein a person who is serious about moving out of a career, pragmatically evaluates the need and reasons before taking any decision. The importance of this approach should not be undermined because if a person doesn't think critically and makes erratic decisions, it won't help him in the long-run and he/she might end-up getting trapped into a vicious cycle. He/she might suffer the same fate and would frequently experience the need to change careers.

Exploring different careers

Once there is a clear understanding of the need and reasons for the change, the next step is to explore the right career. Once people experience the pros and cons in their previous career, they have a vivid understanding about their own expectations from a career, which is helpful for them in the quest of a new one. For some people, exploring different careers might be based upon their childhood interests. And for others, it can be implementing an idea and be self-employed, whereas in some cases, it can be problems related to health or family issues.

Investing time and money in the new career

Changing a career is not easy. Initially, it involves serious thinking. And once you move into a different career, it can take a lot of time & investments before it starts yielding returns. Also, pursuing a different career may need you to acquire certain skills, which is time-consuming. Furthermore, individuals who wish to start something on their own may need a huge capital to invest.

Once an individual explores and finally decides the career to pursue, he/she arrives at a stage where investing time and money in order to nurture and develop abilities to withstand competition becomes necessary. This is the stage that can be challenging for a person as he/she might face situations that can be difficult to surmount.

Changing a career is a difficult choice. A proper due diligence and a right action plan is critical in ensuring a swift transformation. So it is advisable for individuals to factor all the critical stages and the necessary steps that need to be taken.

Want to give a new direction to your life? Going for a career change is not something that has been just born. Although questioning yourself whether you are on the right career path can induce anxiety and fear among many individuals, it is not something that has not been tried before. As the adage goes: “Better late than never,” some people do take time to realize their inclinations and get the right start. It is always better than being stuck with the wrong job. Today, there are plenty of examples of people who have switched their careers midlife and are living a successful life after taking the bold decision. Here are a few examples that demonstrate it is never too late to alter the career path.

#1. Jane Doze – DJ duo who make you tap your feet

Mozentor and Schlissel, the female DJs who are among the most renowned electronic DJ artists hit the right notes when they met at a show. Their bonding increased over the time while discussing electronic dance music and mash-ups of different songs. Before their instinct took over, both the ladies were employed in a full-time day in Manhattan. After their Chicago show and a print featured in Billboard magazine made them overnight stars, they decided to take the plunge and shift from a paycheck job to a full-time career in the music industry.

Jane Doze

#2. Roz Savage – An expert ocean rower

This woman in mid thirties with no previous experience in adventure gave her family and friends the shock of their lives when she suddenly announced her decision to row across the world's biggest deep-blue oceans. Roz actually wrote down two obituaries to determine if her current job was giving her the freedom to live a fulfilled life. When she noticed that it was taking her in wrong direction and forcing her to live a life of obligation, not only did she ditch the job but also became the first woman to row across the Atlantic, the Pacific and the Indian ocean.

Roz Savage

#3. Walt Disney – Creator of the most loved cartoons

A testimony to his own thought, 'If you can dream it, you can do it'. Walt Disney did not reach the pinnacle easily. Braving various childhood odds, he started to work as a newspaper editor at Kansas City Star newspaper, but was fired from the job due to 'lack of imagination and creativity'. He soon started his own venture 'Laugh-O-gram Studios' but went bankrupt. In later years, he went on to create the iconic Mickey Mouse and his group of friends, which is still quite a rage among children.

Walt Disney

#4. Andrea Bocelli - Struck the right chords with music

He holds a law degree from the University of Pisa and was working in a highly qualified role of Defense Attorney until the age of 34. Following his love for music, Andrea quit the high profile career to become a full-time singer. He struggled for the initial years until Pavarotti listened to him on tape and become one of the world's most famous classical singers.

Andrea Bocelli

#5. Jeff Bezos – Amazon chief and entrepreneur

Bezos went on to make a lucrative career in computer science in top firms of Wall Street after completing graduation. He served as the youngest vice president at an investment firm, D.E. Shaw before quitting the job to start his own setup in Seattle and created history by transitioning the world of e-commerce with Amazon.

Jeff Bezos

#6. Brad Pitt – Hollywood's heartthrob

Eldest among his siblings, Brad Pitt dropped out of college when he was just two steps away from completing a journalism degree at the University of Missouri. He worked as a limousine driver to make a living before realizing his love for films. Driven by his passion, he left that job and entered the world of glamor. He won several accolades, and the rest became history.

Brad Pitt

#7. Shaina Olmanson – For love of desserts and passion for food blogging

Shaina was working as a typewriter in 2008 typing the interviews taken by other journalists. Though the job kept her on toes and occupied a major part of the day, she knew this job was not something that would be appreciated in her career. Aspiring to be a writer, she was urged by her friends to take up writing as a serious career. Shaina slowly started getting recognition for her work and went on to become a successful food blogger and even published a book on desserts.

Shaina Olmanson

Changing careers is always a big decision and definitely not for the fainthearted. If you have the courage to ditch your monotonous job and guts to follow your dreams and accept the challenges, take example of inspirational individuals who dared to make the transition and took the jump.

When you opt for a different position in your field or have decided to switch your career, a cover letter can play a huge role in securing a job. Since you are shifting to a completely new domain, you may not have the relevant experience required for the job profile. This is where you can use your cover letter to exhibit your strengths and make the most of the opportunity. However, you must know how to capitalize on your transferable skills and convince the hiring manager on why you are the best fit for the job.



A cover letter's objective is to demonstrate why you qualify for a particular position. However, when you are changing your field, you must focus on points that will help you rise above experienced candidates. In this type of cover letter, you should stress on your transferable skills that will be useful in your new position. Apart from this, you must state your superior performances for which you were applauded in a former field. And last but not the least, express your passion for the new role. Writing an effective career change cover letter can help you communicate your desire to work in a particular industry the right way. You can refer to following cover letter format to convince your employer.

Full Name
Residential Address
City, State, Zip code
Contact Information -
Phone number
Email Address

Date

Recruiter Name
Company Name
Address
City, State, Zip code

Dear Mr/Mrs/Ms (Hiring Manager name)

It is with great interest and zeal that I am responding to “Production Manager” job opening posted on your company's website. I firmly believe that the abilities and skills that I have developed in my career, until now, can help me in handling responsibilities of the job position. The opportunity which your organization has presented seems very appealing, and I think my proficiency at handling projects makes me a suitable candidate for the role.

I am currently working as a (specify your position) for (state your company's name). I have interacted with people from various departments and public authorities. Because of this, my communication skills have been polished, and I have a better understanding on what needs to be done to ensure things are fulfilled as per client's demand.

In fact, I have recently received the (specify the name of the award)  because of my ability to coordinate with cross-functional teams, accomplish projects according to client's expectations and within a set deadline. My other areas of expertise include -

Problem solving skill

Termed as a useful resource known to keep calm for solving complex problems and making key decisions at crucial points.

Efficient planner and organizer

Have an established track record of handling multiple tasks and prioritizing assignments to meet deadlines. Capable of meeting goals to achieve the company's objective.

Team player 

Described as a competent member of my team who is willing to take extra efforts to achieve company target.

Self starter 

Highly motivated employee and a quick learner who always wants to improve and focus on self-development.

I am assured that my experience and set of skills that I have gained in previous jobs meet your expectations for this role. Hereby, attached is my resume for further information about experience. I am hoping that you find me interesting enough to set up face-to-face appointment. I am sure I will be a valuable member of your team. I believe in your company's motto, and it goes in alignment with my personal and professional values.

You can reach me anytime on my contact number to set up our meeting date as per your convenience. Thank you for taking out time for reading my application. Looking forward to your response and speaking on length about the job opportunity.

Sincerely,

Full Name

The cover letter must not contain the same points that you intend to elaborate in your resume. When you are writing a career change cover letter, try to manipulate how your experience can suit the new position. Include transferable skills and competencies that showcase why you as the right candidate for the position to the employer.

Transferable skills are those soft skills which one has got to learn in his current organization and would be beneficial for his next job. They include communication skills, how to deal with people, problem solving, leadership and many more. When you decide to switch your job, you need to recognize your transferable skills, and highlight them in your resume or when attending the interview.

Identity Your Transferable Skills

How to identify your transferable skills

• Evaluate what skills you require

When you decide for a career change, go through the job profiles of the new occupation. Find out the requirements of the employer? What educational background and skills do they look in the candidate who applies for the job? Go through the blogs which will guide you throughout what additional qualities you would require for the job position.

• Evaluate what you skills you possess currently

After evaluating what skills you require, find out what skills you possess. It's not necessary that you should possess all the skills, which are required. Evaluate your complete work experience and jot down the points, which include transferable skills. The list should have your everyday responsibilities, allotted projects to you, and different tasks you accomplished in your previous organization. Then segregate and find out what all skills were needed for completing these duties. After that you can just judge yourself by the skills you possess and the skills the future company requires. The skills which are required that already possess them are the transferable skills of yours.

Where can you find transferable skills

• Job opening advertisements

On the job portals, you can search for jobs and check, whether you have any matching transferable skills. It is not necessary that you should have all of them, but find out of few of them, which would be relevant to your job which you are applying for.

• Online tools

There are plenty of online tools on which you can search for transferable skills, which are required for a certain job position. So check whether the skills you possess match with the skills required for the job.

• Networking in the industry

You can discuss with the people who are working within the field which you wish to work. One can also go through the employer website, attend various industry events, read trade blogs, which would give you a brief of what skills are needed and suitable for a certain job.

How can one utilize his or her transferable skills

You can analyze your transferable skills and mention them in your cover letter or resume. While attending the interview, you need to elaborate your transferable skills with certain examples of how these skills were utilized. The employers believe in the previous experiences in which you explain how you used those skills rather than just general talks. It is suggested by career advisers that one should use “skills resume” or “ functional resume” when they are depending on their transferable skills instead of experience relevant to the new job.

Display your transferable skills

Be confident and make them believe that you are suitable for the career change. This will only take place if you are successful at displaying your transferable skills. Mentioning them in your resume is beneficial as the employer can just go through the keywords of the transferable skills. You can mention your transferable skills as the key skills in the resume.

So while you are giving a thought for a career change, it is very essential to identify your transferable skills suitable for the career you wish to choose. Transferable skills commonly known as the key skills play an important role in the resume of a candidate.