How to Open Doors to Any Career

 

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For many people, their career path can look a lot more like a maze than it does a straight path and that’s perfectly okay. We don’t all know what we want to do for the rest of our lives, and you know, some of us just like a little variety. Whatever the case may be, it is fair to say that there are a few things you can do to unlock those career doors, whatever industry they may be in, very effectively. So, let’s take a look at a few of them right now.

1. Learn as Many Skills as You Can

The first step in your locksmith training? Actual training. Whether it's getting your food handler certification, taking CPR classes, or learning how to speak publicly more effectively, acquiring new skills is like forging your own career key. And in today’s world, where you can learn anything from underwater basket weaving to quantum physics online, there’s no excuse not to buff up that resume. Just remember, the goal is to stand out, so tailor your learning to where you want your key to fit.

2. Gain Experience

So, you’ve got the skills and know people on the other side of the door (networking). Now, it’s time to start picking some locks (gaining experience). Internships, volunteer work, or side projects related to your desired field are all great ways to get hands-on experience. It’s like saying, “Hey, not only do I have a shiny key, but I also know how to use it.”

If that is not something you think you can do, then you could always experiment with offering your services as a freelancer. This will give you the opportunity to test the waters in your chosen new career, while also building a portfolio of work that you can show to potential employers, while also gaining references too. Obviously, you should only do this if you are confident you can succeed in your chosen new field because bad reviews will do the opposite of help, but if you think you can do that, then go ahead.

3. Personal Branding

In the digital age, your online presence is your keychain, displaying all the shiny keys (skills, experiences, and personality) you bring to the table. Platforms like LinkedIn, personal blogs, or even Instagram can showcase your professional journey. Keep it polished, consistent, and authentic. You want potential employers to see your key and think, “This is the one we’ve been looking for!”

If you have a not so good reputation online for whatever reason, or you have posted a lot of silly stuff in your younger years online, then using a reputation management company to clean up anything you might not want people to see is often a good idea that will improve your personal branding more than you might think possible, so consider it seriously. After all, most employers will Google your name before they decide to hire you or not.

4. Stay Flexible

Here’s a secret: The most successful people often have a set of master keys – a mix of transferable skills like communication, problem-solving, and adaptability that can unlock multiple doors. Cultivate these skills, and you’ll find that even if one door slams shut, you’ve got the tools to open another.

What kind of skills will you need? As well as having professional qualifications for any given role, soft skills like being able to work as a team, speak publicly, conflict resolution and creativity are always highly sought after and can be transferable to a range of roles, so they are definitely good things to cultivate if you can, and will see you succeed in whatever career you choose, for sure.

5. The Follow-Up

Last but certainly not least, don’t ever be afraid to knock on those doors (or, in today’s terms, send a follow-up email). Whether it’s after an interview, networking event, or even a casual chat, a thoughtful follow-up can be the nudge that opens the door wide. Just remember, there’s a fine line between persistent and pestering – tread carefully.

Opening doors to any career you might be interested in means being flexible, learning as much as you can and making an effort to meet the right people along the way, so it will certainly take some time and dedication, but it will be worth it when you can open doors to just about any job you can think of, even if you may need to do some additional training to get there!