Ask Ms. Career Girl: How do I Transition to a Career I Have no Experience in?

After exchanging some emails with you, I know you’re  off to a good start and heading towards a positive career change.  I created my own luck by doing exactly what you are doing right now:

• Surrounding yourself with things you are passionate about before and after your day job
• Blogging
• Meeting other happy women who’ve made positive changes in their careers and lives
• Like you, I started my own home business.  I did Mary Kay which I learned SO much from. Readers: Natalie recently started a Stella & Dot business after reading last week’s post “From Stiletos to Sweatpants and Back.”
• Read books about, by and for entrepreneurs.  I feel this was crucial for me for many reasons.

I would also do the following if you aren’t already:

• Guest post on blogs bigger than yours
• Meet people who are more successful than you for coffee regularly
• Take on some freelance marketing clients, even if they can’t pay you.  You could start by contacting companies or organizations that align with your passions (for example, for you perhaps restaurants in your area).  You’ll need this experience for your resume and to give examples during job interviews.  And hey, you never know, maybe one of your freelance clients will become your future employer!
• Take any opportunity you get to speak (it can be about your passion/blog)
• See if you can transfer to the marketing department of your bank.  Remember, the answer is always no if you don’t ask!  Even if this is a temporary solution, it will pay the bills, give you experience and get you through this time without having to start at a whole new company.
• Attend marketing conferences and tweetups.
• Test out marketing strategies on your blog and Stella & Dot business: start a monthly e-newsletter, make sure you have an email list, run contests on your facbeook page, this is all relevant marketing experience for your resume!
• Listen to marketing podcasts while at your day job.  I did this while plugging away at spreadsheets at JPMorgan.
• Take some marketing classes. I took mine at the University of San Francisco and I can honestly say I can’t imagine doing my current job in marketing without having taken them first!