You’re looking to change careers. What research skills do you need to succeed?

Changing careers can be exciting, challenging, and rewarding. But it also requires a lot of research. Whether you want to switch to a different industry, role, or field, you need to know what skills, qualifications, and opportunities are available. In this article, you’ll learn what research skills you need to succeed in your career transition.

1 Identify your goals

The first step in your research process is to clarify your goals. What are you looking for in your new career? What are your strengths, interests, and values? What are your short-term and long-term objectives? By answering these questions, you can narrow down your options and focus on the most relevant and realistic ones. You can use tools like self-assessment tests, career guides, and online quizzes to help you identify your goals.

Add your perspective

Stanley A.

Medical Doctor | Mental Health & Wellness | Academic Research & Writing | Clinical Data Analyst | Virtual Health & Project Manager | Flinders Go Beyond Global Scholar
Report contribution
✓Clearly define your career transition objectives and preferred industries. ✓Personal Experience: Establishing specific goals helps guide the research process.

Like
Rishabh Gupta

Research Associate | AlphaValue
Report contribution
* Identify personal strengths, interests, and values. * Clarify short-term and long-term career objectives. * Narrow down career options based on alignment with goals. * Utilize self-assessment tools, career guides, and quizzes for guidance.

Like
Tharyn Reichel

Pesquisadora | Biotecnologia | Biologia Molecular | Fitopatologia | Gestão de projetos de pesquisa
Report contribution
➜ Talk to someone who has reached the position you desire about their routine, challenges, and advice. ➜ Do your goals reinforce personal, professional, and company interests? ➜ Will your strengths be utilized in this new career? ➜ As a researcher, make sure to delve into the company's values and mission, and talk to future colleagues.

Like
Rimsha Khan

Top LinkedIn Voice| Team Lead- Content Marketing| Dental Hygienist| 7+ years of experience in content marketing, editing and proof reading, storytelling.
Report contribution
To change careers successfully, hone your ability to efficiently gather and analyze industry information, critically evaluate the relevance and credibility of your sources, and effectively network within your desired field for insights and opportunities.

Like

2 Explore the market

The next step is to explore the market for your new career. What are the trends, demands, and challenges in the industry or field you want to enter? What are the skills, qualifications, and experiences that employers are looking for? What are the salary ranges, benefits, and growth prospects? You can use sources like job boards, industry reports, company websites, and professional networks to gather this information. You can also conduct informational interviews with people who work in your desired career to get insider insights.

Add your perspective

Stanley A.

Medical Doctor | Mental Health & Wellness | Academic Research & Writing | Clinical Data Analyst | Virtual Health & Project Manager | Flinders Go Beyond Global Scholar
Report contribution
✓Research potential industries, job opportunities, and skill requirements.Utilize informational interviews and networking for insights. ✓Personal Experience: Market exploration provides a foundation for informed career decisions.

Like

3 Assess your gaps

The third step is to assess your gaps. What are the skills, qualifications, or experiences that you need to acquire or improve to be competitive in your new career? How can you bridge these gaps? What are the best ways to learn, practice, or demonstrate these skills? You can use resources like online courses, books, podcasts, webinars, and mentors to help you fill your gaps. You can also look for opportunities to volunteer, intern, or freelance in your new career to gain hands-on experience.

Add your perspective

Stanley A.

Medical Doctor | Mental Health & Wellness | Academic Research & Writing | Clinical Data Analyst | Virtual Health & Project Manager | Flinders Go Beyond Global Scholar
Report contribution
✓Identify the skills and qualifications needed in your target field.Conduct a self-assessment to understand areas requiring development. ✓Personal Experience: Regularly assessing skill gaps allows for targeted learning and preparation.

Like
Nicoleta Panagiotidou

Founder of BIM Design Hub | ISO 19650 Specialist | Educator | Architect | PhD Researcher
Report contribution
Consider every gap as a potential to discover hidden abilities and talents. What appears to be a gap or limitation today may unfold as an undiscovered latent capability tomorrow. Reflect on the requirements on your desired career and attend seminars, workshops and conferences to enhance the required skills. Locate potential mentors and ask for guidance. Volunteer in communities to gain hands-on experience.

Like

4 Update your profile

The fourth step is to update your profile. How can you showcase your skills, qualifications, and experiences in your new career? How can you highlight your transferable skills and achievements from your previous career? How can you tailor your resume, cover letter, and portfolio to your target audience? You can use tools like resume builders, templates, and samples to help you create your profile. You can also use platforms like LinkedIn, Twitter, and blogs to build your online presence and network.

Add your perspective

5 Apply and interview

The fifth step is to apply and interview for your new career. How can you find and apply for the best opportunities in your new career? How can you prepare for and ace the interviews? How can you negotiate the best offer and terms? You can use strategies like referrals, cover letters, and follow-ups to increase your chances of getting hired. You can also use tips like research the company, practice common questions, and dress professionally to impress the interviewers.

Add your perspective

Tharyn Reichel

Pesquisadora | Biotecnologia | Biologia Molecular | Fitopatologia | Gestão de projetos de pesquisa
Report contribution
✅ Maintain a stance that both the company can choose you and you can choose the company (a mutual exchange relationship). ✅ Practice rapport techniques, but be careful not to get too comfortable when provided with such an environment to keep your responses focused. ✅ Study the company's history, how your values align with the company's, what the latest developments are, and how your skills can contribute to the company. ✅ At the end of the interview, ask something that shows your genuine interest in the position. Example: What is the daily routine for this role? What are your expectations of me in 3 months? Be authentic, concise, and friendly :)

Like

6 Evaluate and adjust

The final step is to evaluate and adjust your research process. How can you measure your progress and results? How can you learn from your successes and failures? How can you improve your research skills and methods? You can use tools like feedback, analytics, and journals to help you evaluate and adjust your research process. You can also use sources like podcasts, blogs, and newsletters to stay updated and informed about your new career.

Add your perspective

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

Add your perspective

You’re looking to change careers. What research skills do you need to succeed?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Identify your goals

2 Explore the market

3 Assess your gaps

4 Update your profile

5 Apply and interview

6 Evaluate and adjust

7 Here’s what else to consider

Research

Rate this article

Thanks for your feedback

More articles on Research

More relevant reading

You’re looking to change careers. What research skills do you need to succeed?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Identify your goals

2 Explore the market

3 Assess your gaps

4 Update your profile

5 Apply and interview

6 Evaluate and adjust

7 Here’s what else to consider

Research

Rate this article

Thanks for your feedback

Explore Other Skills