Generation X belongs to the people born during the period 1965 – 1984 and are probably in the early thirties or late forties. This particular generation forms a substantial part of the workforce population and often finds itself squeezed between two major groups, namely Boomers and Gen Y. As the professionals belonging to this group find themselves sandwiched between Boomers who are on the verge of retirement and Millennial who have a relaxed attitude towards company norms and protocols, they have also witnessed a paradigm shift in the choice of careers and are testimonials to the altered definition of career success. Times have certainly changed, and it is essential that people belonging to Gen X must keep up with it to avoid feeling dissatisfied or neglected. Hence, to match steps with Gen Y and save your job, it is necessary you follow these pieces of advice to ensure a long-lasting career.

Understand your brand value 

Today, individuals don't refrain from trying exciting career options or following their passion. The formula 'get good grades, complete education, get a job and live happily ever after' has already been laid to rest. Hence, even if you have been employed in a particular field for more than three decades, understand that the corporate would still need you. You are an important resource to the employer as you bring experience, reliability and some seriousness to the table.

Understand Your Value

Be the driving force of your career 

Even if you are an employee who has been working at the same organization for almost a decade, you should not be afraid to make a switch for better opportunities. Being loyal is definitely an excellent trait and is also appreciated in the job industry. Many Gen-Xers are facing midlife crisis juggling between job and other responsibilities. If the work has become monotonous or is not something that makes you tick, it is never too late to pursue a career in a field of your interest.

Be The Driving Force

Get a hands-on experience with social media 

To stay aloof and detached from the latest buzz in your domain, means you are deliberately showing a smug attitude and are unwilling to learn new things. Being ignorant about social media can affect your status in the society as well as create a negative impression on potential employers. In today's tech-savvy world, it is important to stay connected and embrace opportunities that are available on the Internet. You can discuss opinions with like-minded people or listen to their views and thus be in a continuous learning process.

Get Experience  with Social Media

Relate to your colleagues beyond work 

Gone are the days, when work only meant giving hundred percent to carry out the assigned tasks. The changing company environment has emphasized the fact that work and fun must mutually exist to boost productivity in the workplace. Hence, it is necessary to develop informal relationships with your coworkers that exist beyond the desk. You can try going on short road trips or mini picnics to develop a stronger bond.

Relate to Your Colleague

Break your skeptical attitude 

The people from Gen X are often said to have a typical stereotype mindset. Even if you have been an employee who was with the company since its inception and have watched its phenomenal growth, do not act like an individual who is difficult to talk to or has a strong sense of cynicism. As you belong to the middle generation of workers, become a bridge between the youngsters and older colleagues and keep sarcasm out of it.

Break Skeptical Attitude

Whenever you have a chance to learn new things, grab the opportunity instead of lamenting 'I am too old for it now'. Even if you failed to get the outcome, you will be glad that you at least made an attempt. If you want to see your career progressing, it's time to get started. Stop giving excuses and learn to adapt. Instead of being critical, assimilate these minor changes in your professional life.

Have you decided to follow your inclinations and start a fresh in a career that is entirely different from your current one? While suddenly shifting your career after having set a strong foothold in the current one can put any person a few years back. In that case, taking appropriate steps can help in smoothing out the process. Changing present career to finance after having spent almost half your life cannot only give you jitters, but also make your mind go buzzing with thoughts and unending questions. The finance industry offers individuals new challenges and at the same time gives them a chance to reap in the benefits with the help of incentives and compensations. If you are wondering whether it is a right time to take the decision, and if you should really make the switch, go through the points listed below to get a clear idea about the steps to be taken.

Career Change to Finance

Develop finance skills 

As you are planning to step into a new field, it is going to be a walk in no man's land. Therefore, you should first get information about required skills of the finance profession. When you have almost made your mind to take the leap, ensure that you have complete knowledge on how finance and accounting works. In addition to this, you should be proficient in using computer and must have the ability to handle various software applications. Also, an individual aspiring to make a career in the finance field must have good interpersonal and communication skills.

Do research 

Before taking a career jump, ensure that you examine the situation from all angles and avoid making mistake. Do a thorough research and collect maximum information. This will help you in assessing yourself. If it is possible, contact those professionals who are already working in this field or have similar job profiles and understand the kind of work entailed. Talking to them will clear your queries and also give an idea about how the tasks are carried out in a real world. One of the most important factors of career change is the ability to build a strong network and tend these professional friendships.

Take informational interviews

It often happens that individuals working in a field are more than happy to help others and speak profusely about their profession. When you get a chance to interact with professionals from the finance field, grab the opportunity to conduct informational interviews. This will give you a small insight into the finance industry as well as help you know information that otherwise may not be accessible. Also, be sure to come prepared for interview so that you can ask intelligent questions to the interviewer.

Assess yourself 

Many people opt for a career change due to trivial reasons such as bored with their present work, they dislike being pointed on mistakes by seniors, or were never truly interested in the field. Therefore, before you start working in any profession, it is extremely important to know likes and dislikes and do some self-introspection. You should understand if you are really interested in finance to continue with it for the rest of life. It is also necessary to whether you possess the needed qualifications and skills. If not, are you willing to take the steps to learn them and bridge the gap. At such a juncture, you can also go for online assessment tests and even consult a career coach if you are shaky about the decision.

Even if switching a career when you have reached the pinnacle of your career can seem a wrong decision to others, you should not be afraid to make the transition if you are determined and are willing to work hard for it. Your transferable skills, research and a strong network can help in making a smooth transition in this new field.

Are you opting for a career change? It can happen due to two reasons – going for a  totally different career field by choice, or you want to take on new challenges. Whatever be your cause for switching career, the first thing you need to do is write a fresh and relevant resume. Before you do, understand that using the same methods to draft it that landed you an established job would not be sufficient now. As hiring managers have limited attention span, it is necessary to put your best foot forward and market yourself appropriately. Following tips give an insight on how to write a good career change resume and secure a job in a new field.

Career Change Resume

Create a strong first impression

Take efforts to write a captivating cover letter. It is the first thing that the hiring managers are going to read. It gives you a chance to convey how the past work history and skills make you a suitable candidate for the job. Even if you have little or nil experience of the new field, and are competing against individuals who have worked in a similar background, the cover letter is an opportunity to stress on how you can achieve an effective transition in the new role.

Mention Transferable skills

Understand the role by reading the job description. Analyze skills you have gained relevant to the new position that can convey you as a perfect match for the role. For example, if you have decided to move from the team leader to teacher, find out the things that are common in both the profession. It could be strong presentation skills, ability to convey your thoughts in simple language and capacity to hold attention of audience. To compare your skills with the applied job, use these resume samples.

Use a resume objective 

An objective can be used in top section of your document to specify the type of job you are looking for. While this statement is going to be about you, its main purpose is to sell yourself to the hiring managers. Write an eye-catching objective statement that helps recruiters connect the dots and make them understand how your previous career has given you skills that are apt for the new job.

Decide on format 

There are many types of resume formats available. When you are switching to a new field, it is important to revamp your resume as per a specific format that is most convenient to you. It could be a chronological resume in which your past work experience is highlighted in reverse order along with a qualification summary. Or it can be a functional resume where priority is given to your experience and skills rather than the organization you have worked for. One can also use a combination of both the types to make the right impact.

Mention valuable experiences 

Include the description about key projects that helped you develop transferable skills. It can be training or volunteer work you have done in the previous company. If you have little experience of the new field, emphasize work done beyond the office hours. For example, if you are working at a customer care center and are looking forward to moving in website design, include the website you might have designed for a local restaurant during your graduation years. Demonstrate your passion for the new career and tell how you have made use of opportunities to improve your skills.

Do not include unnecessary information 

You might have worked in a variety of projects in the past, but not all should be included on the resume. Even if you have accomplished many tasks in your previous organization, highlight only those that are relevant to the new field.

A career change can occur when there is a scarcity of jobs in the current industry, increased competition, or no progress in the pursued field. Regardless of any reason, an individual must concentrate on writing a proper career change resume that is bound to catch the recruiter's attention and make him/her fix an interview.

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.