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Switching Careers After a Job Loss

Job hunting after a layoff may require some creative thinking about your next move.

What's the difference between an occupation and an industry?

Your occupation is what you do; your industry is where you do it. For example, receptionist is an occupation that can be found in most industries, such as health care, manufacturing, or financial services. Meanwhile, an industry like health care employs receptionists, but it also employs people in other occupations like doctors, nurses, technicians, and janitors. Understanding the difference may help you find opportunities that you might not have considered.

Stay in the same occupation and same industry

Think there are still plenty of jobs available right where you are? Then start your job search by checking out tips for Job Hunting during a Recession.

Move to same occupation in a different industry

Example: Receptionist moves from working for an auto manufacturing firm to a hospital.

Consider a less volatile industry. While no industry is completely recession-proof, jobs in health care, education, and other human service fields are less likely to be outsourced. And since the demand for human services doesn't stop during a recession, these industries are less subject to economic shock.

Transfer your skills. If you were a clerk in the auto manufacturing industry, can you jump to being a clerk in a hospital or school? Maybe. The key is to understand your skills in general terms and know how they might transfer by taking a Skills Assessment.

Market yourself. During times of high unemployment, employers can be choosy about who they hire. Be sure to explain how your experience in a different industry translates into real value for a prospective employer. Tailor your Resume and Cover Letter for each job opening.

Research the trends. View employment trends by occupation and industry to get a sense for which industries employ people with your background and skills. Also look for Minnesota Growing Careers and Emerging Careers and Skills to get a sense of how your future might look.

Move to a different occupation in the same industry

Example: Receptionist working in a hospital applies for a medical transcriptionist position in the same hospital.

Assess your skills. Assessing Your Skills After a Job Loss will help you figure out how you can move easily from one occupation to another.

Find related occupations. If you are thinking of switching occupations, you should research which occupations can make the best use of your skills. Use this Related Occupations Tool to discover which careers are most similar to your last job. Take the Skills Assessment to find occupations that use skills similar to your previous job. Or Research Careers to find related occupations to your previous occupation.

Network. Form a network. This can be especially effective if you're looking for a different occupation in the same industry, because your contacts may know each other and can communicate easily.

Learn about the salary range in your new occupation. Check out ISEEK's Salary Search.

Move to a different occupation in a different industry

Example: Receptionist working in a hospital decides to find a job as an animal groomer for a local pet store.

Explore all your options. Since your job search is taking you in a completely new direction, it's best to take a step back and get the facts. Learn more about careers at ISEEK's Careers Search and about industries at ISEEK's Industries Search. Here are some things to consider: