Career Transition

In this episode of Career Conversations, our guest is Sheila Barr, a Careers Advisor specialising in the Springboard Programme. Siobhan and Sheila discuss the topic of career transitioning - how best to approach a change in career and the struggles to overcome.  They provide useful tips on how to tailor your CV and LinkedIn to give you the best shot at moving into your desired field.

Episode six was recorded on 30th January

This episode was produced with the assistance of Maeve Fortune (Second Year Communication Studies Student).

Introduction of speakers Siobhan Murphy (DCU Careers Advisor) and Sheila Barr (DCU Careers Advisor, Springboard Programme)

Quick introduction of today’s topic: Career Transition

Importance of transferable skills 

All your past experience will stand to you, it just needs to be phrased correctly

Skills based CV rather than chronological 

Include personal details and professional profile

There usually is some logical narrative that you can capture in your profile

Find the commonality between the sector you’re leaving and the sector you’re moving into

Look at skills required by job description and shape your achievements/skills around those

Example: Commercial Acumen

Most impressive/important points first, create an early positive impression

Provide evidence of each skill

It is crucial to match your CV to each job application 

Have a master CV of 2/ 3 pages with everything you’ve done

For each application, extract and adapt from the master

Speed reading is key, reader should know you after a 10 second glance (Ask a friend to check for you)

Use bullet points, ability to communicate with clarity is universally valuable

Time out to look after family, rear children, and move abroad. Gaps in CVs

Sheila’s personal approach after two career breaks

Detail in bullet points what you did during break (committees, attended classes, voluntary work, upskill)

Skills from extracurricular/voluntary work just as valued

Look at the role you are going for and what they are looking for.

Demonstrate that you have the skills they’re looking for with your history

Get involved in your new sector, reading, discussion groups, writing posts 

Use LinkedIn to position yourself for that career pivot

Always tell people your story, encourage others

Working your way up the ladder to realise… “I’m on the wrong ladder?” 

Don’t see a future in the sector you’re in

Work on project/ committees that might help adapt to new area

Try things in that area to make sure it’s what you want

Unconfident? Persevere and take one step at a time,surround yourself with support

Go easy on yourself, takes time to adjust

Remember your strengths, skills, gets you through times of doubt, stress

Everything before now has shaped you, no learning is ever wasted

Steve Jobs example: Calligraphy class gave him look and feel for fonts for apple

Take joy that you’re moving into what you want

Nothing wrong with changing, we are more than one thing 

Keep yourself informed