Create proof points to show evidence of work
When you’re switching careers you might get skepticism about how your previous experience applies to the role you’re applying for. HR tends to anchor on what you did most recently. That's why it's so important to create proof points to show you can do the new job. Proof points are pieces of evidence that SHOW, NOT TELL that you've been doing the job unofficially. When you show you've been unofficially doing the job, hiring you seems like a matter of matching your title to what you're doing. It feels less risky than hiring someone with zero experience.
Examples of Proof Points
- Host an event about a trending topic in your new industry
- Do a weekend side project and build a microsite to recap it
- Share your industry insights on social media
- Film short videos on LinkedIn to share your expertise
- Start a podcast about your new industry
- Interview industry veterans and share the Q&A
- Write Medium articles with your industry analysis
You can replace "industry" with "function" for any of the above. If your experience doesn’t look relevant on paper, it’s up to you to create proof points to show you’re a safe bet.
Does creating proof points sound like a lot of work? Yes. But so is the spray-and-pray approach of sending out hundreds of resumes. It’s more effective (and rewarding) to make yourself more hireable.
Recommended Reading
- How to write your own job description (and invent your role)
- Why most cover letters are terrible & how to make yours better
- How to win a salary negotiation before it starts