I have been contacted by so many of you in change management and transformation who are now hunting for your next role, I wanted to provide some tips for getting your next job. The market is tough, and I vividly remember the last time this mass career change happened, from April 2020 to early March 2021, as a result of the pandemic.
Being out of contract, or being made redundant is a scary time, and it is hard to believe that things will improve. In my experience, the only way to quell the panic when things go wrong are to do something.
My Top Tips for Getting Your Next Job in Change Management
Here are my top tips for getting your next job in the change industry – you can also watch this recent webinar on for a deeper understanding.
Remind Yourself How Good You Are
Forget about listing your job titles, instead create a list of all the things you achieved during your time in change. This means moving from a description of all the things you have done (describing how busy you are) to explaining what happened because of your effort:
- Did you help senior leaders take timely decisions
- Did you inspire people to get involved in your change
- Did you coach someone through their resistance to change
- Did you plan and facilitate workshops
- Did you create plans – change; communication etc
- Did you create strategies – risk; reward; data etc
Describe your experiences using the phrases from current role descriptions- make sure you express yourself using the latest terminology to appeal to the right people within the recruitment panel.
Update your LinkedIn profile
Make no mistake, if your CV gets in front of someone, they are going to look you up, so make sure your LinkedIn profile covers the basics:
- Business picture – not one from a wedding or holiday
- Current posts – are you sharing tips, techniques, experiences that demonstrate you have current knowledge and ability?
- Comment on posts – show you have a perspective, indicate you are part of your profession, so contribute to well known LinkedIn groups about change and transformation
- Update your qualifications – certifications are measurable proof that you have knowledge. They can be the difference between getting the interview and not because it is always easier to interview (and hire) the person with the most up to date and relevant qualifications, as it makes you the less risky candidate. Use this guide to assess which qualifications are right for you
- Update your recommendations – ask people you have worked with (they do not need to have been your boss, they can be team members) and help people recommend you by suggesting a few things that you have experience of, that you delivered when you worked with them that will help them have something to say
- Join with others – jump on a webinar, join a training course, start asking questions and sharing experiences in a LinkedIn group – find your tribe and reduce your loneliness. So many people attended my training courses and used them to remind themselves how much they already knew and how brilliant they were at their jobs. The atmosphere so positive, watching each of your reassure and support the others was energising and I know that it led to job success from so many of you who got in touch afterwards. You also reported new friendships and an expansion of your network, which also built your confidence.
This blog gives you a complete action plan, but don’t be intimidated. Taking any of the steps outlined above helps others see how brilliant you are. For live networking and support, join me at my free online group coaching every 2 weeks on a Friday!
