Last Updated on September 22, 2022 by
While doing a job search in the industry of your choice or the industry you did your master’s degree in, you may be unable to find jobs in the same field. There are chances that your qualifications or skill set are not up to the mark.
Often, people get confused about what steps to take if things do not work out in their current job field. Finding an entry-level job in a new industry can be a task; however, there are ways to find the right job offers for yourself.
In this article, we will help you find answers to the question- What to do when you cannot find a job in your field.
13 Things to do if You Can’t Find a Job In Your Field
When you find it difficult to find employment opportunities in your field, it can be hard to find modes to make money. So, if you are wondering what to do when you can’t find a job in your field, we devised a guide to help you. You must know How Long Does It Take to Find a Job?
Below are some essential tips to remember when you cannot find the right opportunity in your field and want to move on to change careers:
Take a closer look at your resume & cover letters/emails you’re sending
Reviewing the resume before sending it to a potential employer is crucial. The same goes for your cover letter. Even when writing email applications, make sure you personalize it so that the employer understands that you have done your research.
You must ensure that the resume and cover letter are updated and have all the latest details about your employment and any courses you have done recently.
Your resume is your first impression of the hiring manager. You may not get to the interview stage if it does not showcase your skills efficiently.
Also, it is not enough to add your skills or experience to your resume. It would be best if you remembered to customize the resume that gets the proper attention from a potential employer.
Various sites and resume designing experts can help you with a few templates for your resume. It would be helpful to use more than one resume template, as it would allow you to apply for multiple roles and fields without having to do the changes manually.
Moreover, you must update your cover letter every time you gain new experience or add new qualifications to your formal education. Mentioning a new skill set and how it can benefit the organization’s goals can help get you the right job title.
Make sure the jobs you’re applying for fit your experience and skills
If the field you decide to look for other jobs that differ from the one you completed your skills training in, you should be careful with the work description and profiles where you choose to apply.
You must consider your professional experience and skills when applying for jobs. If an offer does not seem like a perfect fit for your skill set or experience, you can assume that you will not be considered a potential candidate unless your experience can make up for it.
The bottom line is that you need to be careful when job searching outside the scope of your field. You may find good opportunities in a field like yours, but you still won’t make it for a job title that is the exact opposite of your relevant skills and experience.
For instance, a person who did a bachelor’s degree in arts and literature may have good soft skills and hard skills, but still, they can not get placed for an engineering profile. Yet, you can try your luck in a project management role or executive work.
If the project management role aligns with your skills, it can help you grow in your career.
Improve your interview skills
Once you have applied for the positions that fit your skills and experience, you must prepare for the interviews to help you land the perfect employment offer.
Try and research the interview questions asked during the face-to-face rounds for a specific role. Also, you can read more about the profile and the job description in the job posting to prepare for the next interview.
It is also advised to connect with hiring managers from the same industry. You could also connect with people who have worked with a similar job title to understand the questions asked during the interview.
Make sure your social media profiles and LinkedIn look professional
It is essential to work on your social media profiles, including LinkedIn profiles, to give a digital view of your portfolio.
When you apply for an entry-level job through the job board or job listings posted by the employer, your profile will come in handy. This way, if the hiring managers wish to look you up on LinkedIn, all your information will be readily accessible online.
Remember to add all your work experience details, including your key responsibilities, your education, any additional courses or certifications you have done, and your skill set to highlight your strengths.
Moreover, suppose your online profile looks professional. In that case, it leaves a good impression on the hiring manager, who may skip a few questions or ask something you know, considering the information they found on your profile.
Talk to friends and network.
Networking is the key to finding a good opportunity that works for you. Even if you are trying outside your field, you must reach out to people from the field and seek their support.
Making connections on professional platforms such as LinkedIn helps find better opportunities. You could also learn about different companies and the kind of jobs they offer.
These companies could have mutual connections with the professionals you follow and can help you find leads on available jobs.
If you have friends or family members working in a specific company or the same industry, try to seek their advice on which profiles best suit you. You can also ask them to refer you to a potential employer.
Talk to professors and colleagues.
Reaching out to your college professors can help you find any mutual connections they have with potential employers. With college placements being a regular thing, most employers stay in touch with the professors to find the best candidates.
You could also check with your ex-colleagues or people who have previously worked with a company where you are interested in working. It can also help you learn more about the employer and the company’s culture.
Think about related fields and similar areas
If you cannot find the right opportunities, try to find fields or job profiles matching your qualifications or experience. If there is an opportunity in a different field with all requirements that is a perfect fit for your skill set, it would be a good thing to apply.
You could take help from career counselors if things aren’t working for you in the chosen field. Their guidance would prove beneficial in aligning your career goals with an appropriate career path.
Look for internships or apprenticeships.
When changing your line of work, taking small steps helps you find the right opportunity and plan a long-term career in the same profile. However, if finding full-time jobs seems too far-fetched an idea, you should consider looking for an internship or part-time job.
Internships mostly require no work experience and offer a stipend to the employed person. There are internship options available in all fields.
Moreover, you can quickly look up internships or apprenticeship programs on sites or seek references from your collegemates or professors.
Look for contract work or temporary positions.
Alternatively, you can also look for any temporary job opening that allows you employment opportunities for a stipulated period. Temporary jobs are replacement jobs that require minimal experience and basic skills.
If an employee goes on an extended medical leave, companies hire temporary staff to ensure continuity of work. That’s where the other positions that are temporary come into the picture.
Similarly, contract-based jobs are a huge success among new job seekers looking for a change. Companies outsource several services and hire staff on a contractual basis. These contracts can vary from a few months to several years.
Be willing to relocate
If you wish to find a good job in another field, you must be willing to relocate to another city or state that gives ample job offers. Job seekers often get rejected since they cannot move to the office.
So, you must be willing to accept the job opportunities nearby you. However, if you wish to find a good job, make sure you apply to the locations you are willing to travel to or where you can relocate.
You could also put in the extra effort by specifically applying for jobs that offer remote work. It could also mean that you have to visit the office once in a while, that is, a hybrid mode.
Take a pay cut
Not finding a job can create a difficult situation financially. However, it is better to get paid less money than to get no money at all. So, if you find an opportunity in a new industry, there may be a chance that the company is ready to make you the job offer at a lower salary.
You must go on and accept the offer if the job aligns with your skillset, is close to your home, or has a stable employment opportunity.
And all this should be considered, especially if the pay is low. Accepting a pay cut is not a bad idea as you can always gain the difference back by working hard and finding better opportunities within the company or outside.
But rejecting an opportunity in a new field for less pay than what you were used to in your previous job may be a barrier to finding the right stable job.
Don’t get discouraged.
If you are having difficulty landing any job with any number of restrictions or pay issues, give yourself time. There is a possibility that you do not find a job right away. And this happens with a lot of job searchers. The only way to deal with it is to relax and give yourself the space to feel better.
It would be best if you also stayed positive and not give up on finding an excellent job in a new field. Staying positive in such situations can help.
Try and reach out to professionals for help if you feel you need help and wish to talk about these matters with someone trustworthy.
Start your own business.
If nothing works out, remember you can always do your own thing. Starting a business may seem dull or tedious, but working on a new venture that aligns with your skills and career goals can be fun.
You can always start a new venture in the field of your choice. Interestingly, you do not need any proven skill set or formal experience to start your business. You will need practical knowledge and an understanding of your plan.
Several online websites help new business owners set up their space and offer advice on how they can build their careers on it.
So, even if you do not find the perfect job, you can still do your thing in an individual setup and work in the field where you wish to have a career.
Conclusion
To conclude, there are always chances that even after completing your education, the field you did your masters degree in does not help you find any way to make money. And yet, there are several possibilities that you can access to make your dreams come true.
You can start a business in your field, try and find internships or short-tenure jobs, or find an alternative field that works well with your skills.
Ultimately, it is all about how much you are ready to find the perfect opportunity that helps you grow professionally.
If you do not think over these things carefully, you can also go wrong and make bad decisions. However, you can save yourself by following the tips mentioned above and making the best available options.