Dreaming of making a career change or switching to a different industry? As top Sacramento executive recruiters, Pacific ExecSearch can tell you if you want to be successful in your executive career, it’s important to pursue your passions and explore new opportunities. But doing so also comes with some challenges. Creating a new path for yourself requires thorough planning and preparation. So are you ready to step out and make move? Follow these tips first:

Assess yourself.

Before you change careers, it’s important to identify what value your bring to the table for a potential employer. Doing so means you need to have a clear understanding of your leadership abilities, management experience, and transferable skills. Ask yourself questions such as:

• What are your greatest strengths?
• How would you define your reputation?
• What makes you different from others who do similar work?
• What’s the most valuable thing you could offer to a potential employer?

Do your homework.

Before you take the plunge, conduct research so you know which employers and industries to target. Use resources such as the Bureau of Labor Statistics to find out more about a specific position, and its job outlook and average salary. Turn to sites like glassdoor.com to find out more about a particular company and what it’s like to work there.

Ask for an informational interview.

Informational interviews simply help you gather information about what it’s like to work in a particular role. You can learn about its benefits and challenges all from experienced insiders. You can use sites like LinkedIn to identify and connect with colleagues in positions you’re interested in.

Create a new resume.

When you’re creating a new resume, list our your strengths, most desirable traits, and relevant qualifications. Lead off your resume with a summary of qualifications that emphasizes how your credentials fit the position you’re applying for. It’s also important to highlight your new career objective so employers don’t assume you’re a bad fit for the job. Make sure your work history also focuses on the skills, tasks and accomplishments most relevant to your new career.

Look outside the Internet for opportunities.

The Web and job boards should be a part of your job search. But they shouldn’t be the only tools you’re using. Instead, network with colleagues, join industry or professional associations, and reach out to your alumni group to start building a team of people who can help you in your search.

If you’re an executive looking for a new opportunity, Pacific ExecSearch can help. Our Sacramento executive recruiters have years of experience connecting executive-level candidates with top jobs throughout the area.

Contact us today to learn more.