When looking for a job, it can be easy to fall into the trap of limiting yourself within your comfort zone. For instance, if you feel nervous about talking to customers or clients, then you may completely dismiss jobs where you’ll be required to converse with others.
However, multiple drawbacks can come from this mindset, such as limited career growth, fewer opportunities for skill development, and potential job stagnation. Now’s a good time to evaluate how you’re approaching job hunting and to see if you’re truly putting yourself out there or inadvertently limiting yourself to just your comfort zone.
Luckily, given the streamlined job hiring process nowadays for outfits like a business process outsourcing (BPO) company, a finance or healthcare institution, or an SEO agency, it’s easier to cast your net wider to find job openings that may be outside your comfort zone, but great for you in terms of helping you grow personally and professionally.
To that end, here are some tips to gradually step outside your comfort zone and find unexpected, but competitive and fulfilling job opportunities:
1) Identify Transferable Skills
Even if you don’t have direct experience in a particular industry, you still likely possess skills that can be applied in various roles. If you’re able to identify those strengths and match them with the job requirements, you’ll be able to demonstrate how you can contribute effectively to your new organization in the most creative and resourceful ways.
For example, perhaps your old role is a back office job where you mostly deal with clients via email or chat. Skills that you’ve used in that role, such as problem-solving and communication skills, are still highly valuable in most jobs, which should make you feel more at ease with different roles that have adjacent responsibilities.
2) Do Your Research
Knowing as much as you can about the job, company, and industry is crucial when stepping into unfamiliar territory. Make sure you read each job description carefully to identify key skills and responsibilities. Determine which tasks that are the ones outside your wheelhouse, but will likely be expected of you.
Research each company you’re applying to, and learn about their values, mission, and work culture, ensuring that at the baseline, your desired opportunities align with your career goals. In addition, learning industry trends and terminology beforehand can help you parse through job descriptions much more easily and make you sound more knowledgeable during interviews, despite how nervous you may initially be.
3) Welcome a Growth Mindset
A growth mindset means being open to challenges, learning from mistakes, and continuously improving. If you can adopt this mindset as early as in the job hunting stage, you’ll be able to show employers that you’re adaptable, eager to learn, and open to challenges.
Instead of focusing on what you don’t know on your resume or during interviews, highlight your willingness to learn and ability to pick up new skills quickly. This will reassure hiring managers that you are capable of learning quickly and contributing effectively to the team, even if you don’t have all the required skills right off the bat.
4) Gain Basic Knowledge or Training
While you don’t need to be an expert before applying, gaining foundational knowledge can boost your confidence. Give yourself that advantage by looking for online courses, certifications, webinars, or free tutorials related to the job role you’re applying for. For example, if you’re transitioning into digital marketing, then taking a Google Analytics or SEO course can show future employers your initiative.
If possible, practice your new skills through side projects, volunteering, or freelance work as well. These activities can be included in your resume and can be a huge plus when applying for a role in a new industry.
5) Customize Your Resume and Cover Letter
A generic resume won’t help you stand out among tens, if not hundreds, of job candidates. It’s a must to tailor your application to each role and company you’re applying to by emphasizing skills and experiences that gel with the new role. For instance, if you’re switching from teaching to a corporate training job, highlight your skills in communication, curriculum development, and public speaking, as these also hold weight in your new role.
Also explain in your cover letter why you’re making a career transition and how your background provides a fresh perspective. You can even emphasize here your goal of leaving your comfort zone in order to experience more growth opportunities, which will show the kind of initiative that many employers appreciate.
6) Prepare for the Interview with Confidence
Having a job interview for roles outside your comfort zone can be nerve-racking. Still, you can lessen your anxiety and nerves by making sure you’re well prepared for possible questions. Practice answering common interview questions, especially for your role, and be ready to provide examples of how you’ve adapted to new challenges in the past.
It’s also likely that hiring managers will ask why you’re applying for a job outside your usual field. Be ready to prepare a strong response that focuses on growth and transferable skills rather than lack of experience. For example, instead of saying, “I don’t have any experience in this role,” consider saying, “I’ve successfully led projects in my previous job, and this has given me strong organizational and leadership skills applicable to this role.”
There’s no doubt that it’s scary for anyone to step out of their comfort zone, especially as far as their career is related. But doing so also presents an opportunity for tremendous growth. With the help of the tips above, you’ll be able to get the fresh start you’re probably hoping for.
Remember: every successful professional once started as a beginner. Stay open to learning, believe in your abilities, and take the leap. Who knows—the opportunity of a lifetime could be the one that was the least expected.
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