Changing seasons, changing career direction…

Posted on 11 October 2024 • Career planning

Autumn is a time of transition. Leaves turn from green to shades of red and orange and many woodland animals gather and store food for the upcoming winter. Just as nature looks ahead, so must career changers plan for their future. Now is a good time to take stock and consider why you want to make a change.

Before pumpkins were used to carve Halloween lanterns, turnips were commonly used. Over time, we learnt that carving a pumpkin was easier than carving a turnip, and the tradition changed. In the same way that the right material helps create the best lantern, carving out a new career path requires the most appropriate method. Benefit from reflecting on your skills and adapting your approach to job-hunting.

Choose the right type of CV.

Skills-based CVs are a useful tool when you are looking to enter a new job role or sector. They emphasise skills and personal qualities rather than employment history. This can help you show employers how the skills you have gained in other roles are transferable to a new field.

Show off your skills with STAR.

The STAR technique (Situation, Task, Action, Result) can help you structure your thoughts and demonstrate your skills clearly. Here’s an autumnal example to show you how STAR works:

S– As a pumpkin farmer,

T– I ensure that our harvest is ready for October, in preparation for Halloween sales.

A– To do this I carefully plan the planting and growth cycles throughout the calendar year, making sure that a sufficient quantity of pumpkins will be ready at the right time. I use specialist horticultural software to help me do this efficiently which automatically generates reminders for key tasks.

R– Every year I successfully harvest enough pumpkins to sell in my farm shop to meet October sales demands.

Next Steps.

Don’t feel left out in the cold this autumn. The OU’s Careers and Employability Services can guide you in planning your next steps and making the career change you want. To help make sense of where you are in your career journey and work out your next steps, go through the structured Navigate Your Future activity pathway.