As the recession
drags on, many attorneys, some with years of experience, are considering
careers outside of law. But how do
you make the leap? One of the keys
to making the leap from attorney to something different is to identify your
most valuable and transferable skills.
When considering
a career change, it is important to thoroughly research the career path on
which you want to embark. If
you’re thinking about different career options, then take the time to
thoroughly research all of them. Find out what the requirements are of the new
occupation, read and document help wanted ads for the job you want and take the
time to contact professionals who are already working in your field of choice. You can even join a few professional
associations to network and begin building relationships with professionals
working in the field.
Next you should
identify the skills that you already possess that would transfer easily to your
new profession. But don’t just
depend on your memory for this task.
If you have the documentation, review old job descriptions, employee
reviews and even old resumes.
Work with a professional to craft a skills-based resume that will
highlight your abilities and craft a cover letter designed to convince an
employer of why you should be chosen over a more experienced candidate. Also, consider using a recruiter who
specializes in helping career changes make find a job.
Editor' note: You can find a related article in our Hot Spot - or click here