How to Use Your Old Skills for a New Career?

Answer 1

These days, it's a very real possibility that you'll go to work one morning, get called in to your boss' office, and walk out with a pink slip in your hand.

Over the past few years, that scenario has happened to thousands of people. So, what if it happens to you?

Losing a job is devastating, particularly if you've been doing that job for several years and you don't think you know how to do anything else. The truth is, we all have skills in our daily jobs that translate well to other jobs we may not have have ever considered. It's all in knowing what you know how to do, and having faith in your own abilities.

The best thing to do (and really, you should consider this even if you still have your job, so you're prepared – or if you're trying to decide to switch careers) is to make a list of everything you know how to do.

Let's say, for example, you're a receptionist. You could probably add to your list telephone answering skills, dealing with public complaints, typing, filing, organization and time management, customer relationships and much more. Now go onto a popular job search engine and type in any one of those skills.

For example, if you input telephone answering skills, a number of different positions come up, including telephone operator, telephone sales andresearch.

The fact is, while many people are losing their jobs, there are still companies that are hiring, and there are jobs that wait for the perfect person to apply just because they're not the popular, trendy jobs that many of us were able to get just a few years ago.

Sometimes, searching for a job takes flexibility, the ability to adjust, and the ability to leverage your current job skills into a position where you'll be paid for them. You might have to relocate to another state, which is difficult but do-able.

You might even have to take less money than you're used to accepting. But ask yourselves this: Which is better, earning $15 an hour or earning nothing an hour?

Leveraging your skills into a new career does take creativity. But don't believe you don't know how to do anything. All of us know how to do something; we don't just sit in a plastic bubble all day long. However, it does take some hard work to find companies that are looking for someone with the skills you have.