How to Explain a Career Change on an Interview
Changing direction in your professional life and choosing a new career can be liberating, and can provide you with new and better opportunities. Unfortunately, interviewers view individuals who change careers as risky hires, because they offer little to no previous experience in the career they're after. To begin your new career, you'll first have to explain to the interviewer why you chose a new field, and convince him you will perform at a high level.
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Instructions
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Speak to the interviewer honestly. Tell him why you chose a new path in your career. Avoid lying to make your story sound better; interviewers can usually spot lies without much trouble. For example, suppose your previous career didn't allow for additional advancement. You could say that you faced severe limitations in your previous career, and that it was unlikely you could move up in any company. Explain that this new career offers you better opportunities and allows you to put your skills to use.
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Explain career gaps related to the pursuit of your new career. During an interview, the interviewer will likely mention any career gaps he notices on your resume. Tackle that issue while explaining your career change, if the two are related. For example, suppose you went back to school to earn a degree that applies to your new career. Explaining that the four-year career gap is because you went back to school alleviates the interviewer's worries that you're unemployable, or that you simply didn't want to work.
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Talk about your skills and previous accomplishments and how they relate to your new career. Most skills apply to several types of careers, so you likely have skills that will transition to your new career. For example, time management, leadership and teamwork apply to almost any career. Give examples of how you have used your skills to better yourself or your coworkers.
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Tell the interviewer that you welcome and respond well to change. Switching careers is a big move, and interviewers need to be sure that you can handle new duties and a new environment and culture. John Rossheim of Monster.com suggests providing examples of how you responded to change in your previous career.
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Reassure the interviewer that you can do the job. You must make the interviewer feel that you can greatly benefit the company, even though you have no prior experience in the position. Appear confident, sound sure of yourself and bluntly tell the interviewer that you will perform at a high level.
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Tips & Warnings
Never say that you're changing careers to earn more money, even if it's true. If you talk about your previous employers, refrain from pointing out your employer's flaws.
