Career Changer Needs to Get Focused
Hey Connie,
I am about to turn 30 in August and I just earned my MBA degree this past December. I'm desperately trying to switch careers (I currently work as a graphic designer for a newspaper) to something more lucrative.
After sending out dozens of resumes over the last few months I have yet to even receive a single call for an interview. It's pretty discouraging since some of the jobs I applied to I was almost sure I would get--just not sure I wanted to settle for them.
I also sacrificed a lot of time (17 MBA level courses while working full-time over a three-year period) and racked up about $30,000 in student loan debt. But I fully expected to have something by now.
I'm very open to almost any field, but I sometimes think that's part of the problem. I have some interest in a long list of jobs but don't see one field that I can really hone in on. I've applied to jobs in finance, public relations, marketing and various management positions with everything from banks to a railroad company to a nuclear power plant. And nothing has come of it.
I've grown pretty bored with my current line of work and would rather try something else. Any ideas?
Thanks,
Chris, NY
P.S. I passed an IQ test to gain entry into Mensa a couple of years ago. The only reason I did this was I thought it would be a nice touch on my resume. Do you think it comes off as pretentious or just plain odd to include that? Should I turn to a "resume doctor"? Do you find they're worthwhile?
Answer
Dear Chris,
Congratulations on earning an MBA! That is not an easy thing to do while working and it's quite an accomplishment. I'm very happy to hear that you are still employed while looking for this new opportunity. There would have been a lot more pressure had you left your job to find something new.
First thing you should do is to start chipping away at that school loan debt with your current job income, even if it's just a little each month. The positive momentum of getting rid of that large amount owed will feel better than just leaving it sit there like the 30,000 pound gorilla in the room.
But let's talk about what you can do to cash in on that MBA. (And I think you already know because you hinted at it in your question.)
The first thing you absolutely need to do is focus on what you want to do. What was your concentration when getting your MBA? What classes did you enjoy more? Finance is very different from marketing. You must decide what you want to pursue.
And how do you focus? One way would be to ask the career services group (from your B-school) to help you connect with alumni, so you can begin to network with them to find out what they do in finance, marketing, public relations, etc. Remember: Networking is not asking for a job; it's asking for 20 to 30 minutes of their time to discuss what they do. Ask what they like about their jobs and what they don't like. Ask what a typical day includes. Ask what skills are critical to success in that field. Their answers will trigger something in you: either you'll want to do what they do or you will not.
Networking is getting to know others and building relationships with them. So when you meet with them, send them a follow-up email and thank them, and then keep them up-to-date with your job search. You can write something like this:
"I'd like to thank you for the time you gave me yesterday. I enjoyed our discussion on how you came to be so successful in marketing communications. Your work on the xxxxx campaign was very impressive and I thank you for sharing it with me. After discussing this with you, I realize that this would be a field I would like to pursue. Could you suggest any other individuals I may meet with? That would be most appreciated."
People want to help others, and once you talk with them and meet them, they will remember you should something open up. Always ask if there are others you can network with. So by trying to find your passion, you'll be meeting individuals who know other individuals, and they will no doubt lead to jobs.
In addition to networking with alumni, add others to your list and those others could include: friends, friends of friends, friends of family, networking groups. You are a graphic designer. Ask your graphic designer friends if they know anyone in marketing, finance, or public relations and start those discussions.
You've done all the school work necessary to get your MBA, now you have to do all the networking work necessary to get your contacts. It's the most important thing you can do. Once you are clear about your focus, you have to target your resume. If it's finance, ensure that everything in your resume is quantifiable. If it's marketing, ensure there is creativity and zero in on your communication skills. Anything on your resume can be focused towards a particular field.
And I would include Mensa on your resume because it's impressive. Anything you work to achieve should be included because it's what makes you unique and different. And I always wanted to hire intelligent people that could figure out things. It's all about problem solving so don't think it's pretentious or odd. It's an achievement of which you should feel proud.
You asked about a "resume doctor" and if it's worth it. I do believe it is. Career services may be able to help you, and if you Google "resume writing" you're sure to find a lot of help on the web. My company, SixFigureStart, specializes in working with clients to focus on what they want to do, helping them to navigate the networking process, along with resume writing, interviewing skills, etc. So you can also contact us if you are interested. At the very least, we can give you a free consultation of what we offer.
Whatever you choose to do, I wish you the very best in your career search! At the very least, please keep us updated as to your search. We are rooting for you!
Best,
Connie
Connie Thanasoulis is co-founder of SixFigureStart, a success-coaching firm that equips college students and young professionals with the skills and knowledge essential to ensuring success early on in their careers. She comes from 25 years of experience with Fortune 500 companies, including Merrill Lynch, Pfizer, and Citigroup.
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