5 PATHS TO BUILDING CREDIBILITY FOR A NEW INDUSTRY
1. Study
·
Academic qualifications are the first source of
credentials for a recruiter.
·
If you have the time and money, acquire one
relevant to the new industry.
·
Choose from generic degrees like a full-time MBA
or specific ones like a journalism course.
2. Volunteer
·
Volunteer and contribute your skills through an
NGO working in that space.
·
This can be done full-time for a few months or
even part-time before quitting your current industry.
3. Consult
·
Look out for strategic or operational consulting
firms that work with your firm or industry.
·
Such firms are always open for hiring a
high-calibre talent.
·
Working for them for a couple of years helps you
build a bridge into the industry of your choice.
4. Intern
·
In tough times, you could offer to work with a
target firm as an intern (often unpaid) for 1-6 months.
·
Both the potential employer and you will get a
risk-free option to evaluate if an offer of employment will be worthwhile.
5. Contract
·
Take the high-adrenaline, high-reward option and
become an entrepreneur.
·
Offer outcomes and results to the target
industry instead of your time.
·
If you are wildly successful, you may not want
to stop.
·
If less successful, the experience will count
highly with future employers.