"Help Me Recruiter"-How Do I Make a Career Switch?

​Joan V.  Out of Minneapolis writes,
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"Dear Recruiter I need help.  I've been in the Accounting Profession for 20 years now and I'm bored I want to do something else completely different.  In fact just over the last few years I discovered I'm a people person and want a job that utilizes my personality but Accounting is all I have ever done.  Any suggestions?"
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Joan actually I do and it starts with you.  I know the first thing people tend to want to do is jump back in and go to school but that is the last thing to do.  First figure out do you like Accounting but need something that quenches your thirst for being an extrovert.  If so maybe look into being an Accounting Recruiter where you can talk to people all day but still utilize your accounting knowledge.

​Or if you want to completely do something that leaves Accounting behind take a notebook and do a job journal where you list some key attributes or skills you would like to use in a job.  Then run a search on one of the job boards with those skills to see what jobs come up.  If something interest you I would then use Linkedin or your network to find out who is doing that job and set up an informational interview.  That person can give you some insights into what that job is like, how to get into a job like that and any other suggestions.  If you like the job I would see if there is a way to do some side projects even for free just to get some experience.

Joan the biggest roadblock to switching careers is experience.  If you can find a way to get applicable experience even if it means doing some project work for free.  That will help eliminate what seems like an impossible feat and make it manageable.

Hope this helps and stay tuned for our next "Dear Recruiter Help" story!

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