Have you considered completely changing careers before? But, maybe you’ve been held back because you’re unsure if your profile would be desirable. Think again!
There is a lot of crossover in industries - whether it’s the interpersonal skills that you have all the way down to technical ability. Diverse organisations thrive: and we don’t just mean this demographically, either.
Digital demand is very high at present - by 2025 it is predicted that roughly 149 million new tech jobs will need to be created and filled. To assume that there is a ready amount of skilled people with the exact credentials would be naive - which is why recruiters tend to look in cross-functional areas and industries to find talent that can be upskilled and add value to an organisation.
We already know that diverse experiences and perspectives mean more innovation and creativity - which is why organisations globally are becoming more open-minded to taking individuals who may not be the “finished” article or also career changers.
Here are 5 core reasons why recruiters want to hire career changers:
1. Career changers bring a wealth of knowledge from other sectors
Whether it’s a transition from tech to life sciences, life sciences to engineering, or engineering to tech - each career change is going to bring so much knowledge that will be invaluable to other employees as well as to the growth of the organisation.
It could be working methodologies, it could be technology and tools, or it could even be simple things like communication and management styles - a fresh approach can make the world of difference, and the main place you’ll find this is within a career changer!
2. Their geographical experience could also differ - thus opening up global opportunities
Certain roles and sectors thrive in different geographies - and this once again broadens the spectrum of knowledge a career changer can bring.
Let’s say you hire someone who has come from an incredible hub for tech such as San Francisco, or maybe they’ve worked rurally in South East Asia or the Middle East. You can guarantee that their geographical experience is going to be invaluable to your organisation.
3. They have a thirst for learning and a desire for improvement, regardless of seniority
If someone has chosen to make a complete career switch - there is a ton of motivation and passion behind doing so. This means that they’ll have a natural desire to improve themselves and learn, which can be beneficial for organisations that are looking to hire senior individuals.
“Changing careers isn’t a decision that people make lightly. An incredible amount of thought and planning goes into the decision, coupled with feelings of fear and uncertainty.
The person who makes this decision is brave, adaptable, determined and passionate. They are willing to take calculated risks in order to have a career in something they are passionate about. All in all, this kind of candidate could be a valuable asset for your business.” - Refreshingacareer
4. There is more longevity with experienced candidates
If you’ve hired an experienced career changer - you know that they are committed to growth and development within the organisation. Thus, although longevity isn’t guaranteed - it’s more likely to occur with these candidates than with a junior or even a mid-level candidate who hasn’t gone through a career change.
5. Upskilling is required, but not as much
Although you will still need to train and upskill someone who is coming from a different industry or career trajectory, you won’t need to do nearly as much as there will be a lot of foundation soft and hard skills there which you can build on.
So, what are you waiting for?
