Article #2 in the Series
Congratulations: You have found the Arrington Career/Transition Tip series. I believe this will be helpful because I notice people making decisions without necessarily knowing to do additional steps to help their chances at successfully landing. So, I will create these tips in article form too. Every tip I post will receive a corresponding article so it can remain accessible and chronicled on my profile
Career/Transition Tip #2:
“Informational Interviews (Version 2.0)”
Informational Interviews are the singularly most important piece in the transition journey. It’s more important than a resume, than a LinkedIn profile, a degree, or an industry certification. Why?
A resume: begins with your personal information, then the most important piece is your objective. It’s the FIRST piece that a potential employer reads (it determines if they will even move on to read the rest). It lists “What you want to do, why you want to do it, and the value you will bring.” Only after that “WHY” do you back it up with the skills to PROVE you are the right fit for that role. Remember that word “WHY” as we move forward. The resume continues on with past experience but at no other point in your resume does it state why you want that role (all you are left with is Quantifying and Qualifying with results, knowledge, and expertise on how you will bring value to that organization within the confines of that role and perhaps some intrinsic value outside of that role {community involvement/passions}).
LinkedIn…who wants to fight me when I say LinkedIn isn’t the most important thing to your transition? Ok, yes it is EXTREMELY IMPORTANT (I’d say it’s right after Informational Interviews in importance, but that is for another Career Transitioning Tip because it’s a much longer conversation). You build your LinkedIn to BRAND yourself. However in order to Brand yourself effectively and rewardingly, you have to have a VECTOR…YOUR WHY! I can make the most amazing LinkedIn profile on my ability to play Chess and to become the next Bobbi Fischer (analytical, attention to detail, disciplined, adaptable) but if I want to enter the sales world and am not pursuing a career as a professional chess player, then branding my LinkedIn as the former is bound to keep me from maximizing my ability to connect and land a great sales role. My profile won’t support my network pursuits.
Why pursue a Degree or Certification in an industry? Some may say (as I do) for personal reward, the pursuit of knowledge, a belief that the unequivocal truth in life is the unyielding quest for knowledge! But wait! Will a medical degree get you a job interview or support your resume qualifications to be a Foreman? A Meteorologist? A Professional Chess player? No. Sure it gives skills, but if a degree or certification is not what you need to support your WHY! Than it’s great for personal development, but not for Professional development and credibility in that career alignment.
Informational Interviews are the most important piece of your transition journey because it allows you to become wise on what your “WHY” in life is. We build experience throughout our life by learning from the actions or inaction of others, by gaining advice, by being led. Career transition is no different. You won’t know what’s out there without engaging with those that are living it or have lived it. Multiple views are needed though because not everyone’s experiences are the same, even when experiencing the same event. Perspectives are crucial! Then only armed with this knowledge can you BRAND your LinkedIn (and yourself…Consistency, Consistency, Consistency, but this is a later article), pursue the degrees and certifications to back up the skills you have, and craft your resume for the individual role!
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