008: 3 Common mistakes career switchers make and how to avoid them

Career Switchers are incredibly well positioned for jobs in tech but so many of them don’t realize it. In this episode of The Career Strategy Podcast, Sarah shares 3 common mistakes career switchers make and how to avoid them.

0:31: Today I'll share some tips for career switchers to stand out by avoiding some common mistakes and mindset traps.

0:50: I want you to know that as a career switcher, you are not starting from scratch. You don't need to start from the bottom. So stop assuming you'll get hired into a junior role and need to work your way up or take a pay cut.

1:12: Skills like communication, critical thinking, writing, teamwork, and dealing with conflict are TIMELESS.

1:30: Companies who are hiring don't just look for candidates who know all the right software or methodologies, because these things can be taught much faster than soft skills.

1:58: Number one, stop hiding your experience because you don't think it applies and is connected.

2:05: As a career switcher, you have a major advantage over many candidates.

2:28: How to leverage your previous experience on your resume and LinkedIn profile.

4:07: Number two, stop waiting for the perfect job and strategically apply. Rejection is okay.

4:35: Launch early and launch often. This applies to your job search too.

5:48: Applying to jobs is a test. It's an experiment to see if your resume, LinkedIn, et cetera, can get you an interview. Rejection in your job search is feedback.

6:04: Rejection is not a definition of your self worth or a signal that you're doomed in your career or your life.

8:43: Number 3, Three, don't skip the portfolio because you don't think you have anything to put in it, and don't go spend weeks or months making fake projects.

6:44: Remember, just because you have not held a job with the literal word UX in the job title (or whatever job title you want in the future) does not mean you haven't been doing these things already.

7:36: A portfolio is not just meant to showcase the hard skills involved in the job you want next.

7:53: Software changes and can easily be taught, but skills like these are timeless and take much longer to learn. So highlighting these skills might give you an edge over other candidates.

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