Hello, everybody, and welcome back to in Indeed's career tip
series.
I'm Sinéad, and today I am sharing four tips to help you
land a new job in a trade industry-- wait for it--
without a degree.
Yep, you heard that right.
Jobs and trades can offer lucrative salaries,
more flexible education requirements, and just
an overall fulfilling career.
And the best part is the trade industry is versatile.
No matter your interests, background,
or what transferable skills you hold,
you can surely find a trade job that fits your personality.
Plus, you can typically make this change
without a traditional four-year degree.
And be sure to stick around until the very end
of the video for an insider tip on job applications.
All right, let's talk trade jobs.
Tip number one-- research different paths
in the trade industry.
There are three P's of the trade industry--
paths, positions, and professionals.
To research different paths, start
by using resources like Google, Glassdoor,
and of course, Indeed.com, to thoroughly begin your research.
You can try using searching phrases
like trade jobs with no degree, trade jobs near me,
trade jobs that pay well, or most in-demand trade jobs
to begin learning more about the industry.
There are so many fields within the trade industry,
including industrial, like aerospace or engineering,
medical, real estate, tech, and more.
Each of these paths are unique, challenging, and gratifying
in their own way.
So let's move on to tip number two--
explore different trade positions.
Let's say that you've chosen to focus on health care.
Create a search string or search phrase to find specific roles
in health care.
And be sure to take your individual situation
into consideration.
If your highest level of education
is a high school diploma, include
that in your search string.
And if you have a relevant certification,
include that info as well.
Now, here is a pro tip.
Use parentheses or quotation marks
to indicate the portions of your search criteria
that are required.
This ensures your search results include your specified phrases.
An example search string may look something like this--
health care, high school diploma, CPR certified.
This search string might yield role results
like certified nursing assistant, medical aide,
and paramedic.
After browsing paths and identifying
a few positions of interest, you're
ready for tip number three--
reach out to some professionals.
Find out the good, the bad, and the ugly so
that you're absolutely sure you're making the best
decision for yourself.
To do this, find industry professionals
through social media platforms, company websites,
and your personal network.
So let's say that you want to be a general transportation
technician and you notice that your state is hiring.
Awesome.
Do you know anyone who is working in this role currently?
If so, try reaching out to them.
If not, navigate to your state's website
and click on links that mention things like About Us,
Publications, Media Center, or Learn More.
Each section can give you insight
on who's affiliated with the organization
that you're interested in.
Although this process seems thorough,
it can pay off when citing what you found in an interview.
People typically appreciate the research.
It can illustrate that you take initiative,
you did your homework, you're genuinely
interested in being a part of the team,
and you want to start the conversation.
Taking the time to truly connect with someone
can lead to so many wonderful possibilities--
finding a mentor, creating a friendship,
or even landing a company referral.
Never underestimate the power of people.
When looking for a job, you should
consider what requirements are most important to you.
Consider factors that apply to your career and your lifestyle,
personal responsibilities, and ultimate goals.
Some common considerations include
salary, work-life balance, professional environment,
management style, and work schedule flexibility.
And hey, if everything aligns, it
may be time to take the next step towards applying.
And before we move on to tip number four,
please don't forget to like, subscribe, and of course,
hit that notification bell to stay up
to date every single week within Indeed's career tips.
Moving on to tip number four-- prepare to invest.
Whether you're transitioning into the trade industry,
just getting started, or just unsure of where to start,
give yourself plenty of time to invest in the process.
Change typically takes time and sometimes money,
let's be honest.
But through your research, you'll
learn which credentials are necessary for each position
and whether or not you'll need to financially invest
in landing a trade job.
An easy way to find this information
is to refer to the requirements and preferred skills section
on each job posting.
These credentials may involve earning a certification,
acquiring a license or registration--
sometimes national and state--
or completing an associate's degree, trade school program,
or technical bootcamp.
So let's say that you want to get into real estate.
To become a real estate agent, you
must first earn a real estate license
for the state in which you plan to sell.
Each state has specific requirements and exams
to earn a real estate license.
You can research state requirements
through online licensure sites like the CE Shop, Real Estate
Express, Acable Agent, and more.
Many of these sites also provide resources for exam study
and preparation, continuing education,
and scheduling license exams, which is a great resource.
But in short, this trade will require
some form of investment.
So credentials do vary depending upon the role, company,
and industry that you're pursuing.
Looking for a way to level up your certification game?
Well, we've got you covered with this video right up here.
Just keep in mind that while gaining
some of these credentials will put a pause on your spare time
and expendable income temporarily speaking,
the payout could be significantly faster
than that of a traditional four-year degree.
Sounds pretty sweet if you ask me.
But truthfully, what kind of investment
does your future call for?
Which brings me to our fifth tip--
develop your personal brand.
Now, I know some of you may be thinking, come on, Sinéad,
I don't actually have a personal brand.
But hold up because actually you do.
Your experience, background, interests, and personality
all define your personal brand.
A strongly branded resume or professional profile
that speaks to your relevant knowledge, accomplishments,
and transferable skills can make you more discoverable.
It can also increase visibility for your targeted audience.
Let's focus on how to brand yourself
on your resume and professional profiles.
If you're targeting trade jobs in the tech field,
you should mention this career pivot in your professional
summary and give a brief mention on why
you're changing your career.
Maybe something like detail-oriented help desk
professionals seeking an entry-level customer support
role within an IT department.
Looking to apply my five years of customer service
experience to a role that allows me to build rapport
with a diverse group of people while solving
complex technical problems.
Use the education and skills section
to highlight your credentials and newly
cultivated use of software, programming, languages,
and databases.
And for those of you who may be transitioning to the trade
industry, a functional resume could be a good resume format
to showcase your transferable skills.
Just see for yourself.
You don't need a traditional four-year degree
to build a successful, rewarding, and fulfilling
career.
Instead you could use these tips and try
to find a job in the trade industry.
Thank you all so much for tuning in with us.
I'm Sinéad, and you're watching and Indeed's career tips.
Now, if you want more on career development,
check out our playlist.
Or if you need support in defining your passions,
be sure to check out our video also.
We'll see you next time.